John the Exarch (also transcribedJoan Ekzarh;Church Slavonic:Їѡаннъ ЄѯархъBulgarian:Йоан Екзарх) was a medievalBulgarian scholar, writer and translator, one of the most important men of letters working at thePreslav Literary School at the end of the 9th and the beginning of the 10th century. He was active during the reign ofBoris I (r. 852–889) and his sonSimeon I (r. 893–927). His most famous work is the compilationShestodnev (Шестоднев –Hexameron) that consists of both translations of earlier Byzantine authors and original writings. TheRussian Orthodox Church canonized him and his memory is honoured on the 13 August [O.S. 31 July]. In a manuscript of the Gospels, held in theNational Library of Serbia, an alternative date is given, namely — 13 February [O.S. 31 January].
John the Exarch'sHexameron, 15th-century Russian translation
Evidence about his life is scarce but his literary legacy suggests an excellent knowledge ofGreek language. It is therefore assumed that John the Exarch received his education in theByzantine Empire. Some historians assume that his sobriquet "the Exarch" means that he was theArchbishop of Bulgaria.[1] Others suggest that this was not an bishopric rank.[2] There are also theories that identify John the Exarch withChernorizets Hrabar[3] or withJohn of Rila.[4]
John the Exarch's literary work includes a number of translations of medieval Byzantine authors, the most important of which is the translation, around 895, ofOn Orthodox Christianity by the Byzantine theologianJohn of Damascus. He is also the author of several original works and compilations, the most important whereof is the compilationШестоднев (Shestodnev). The compilation includes parts of the works of several Byzantine authors, most notablyBasil the Great, as well as original parts which give valuable first-hand evidence about the Bulgarian Empire underSimeon I (r. 893–927). John the Exarch describes the royal palace and the Bulgarian ruler that includes information about his attire, the boyars, the social stratification of the Bulgarian society and like matters.
^Добрев, И. Йоан Презвитер Екзарх Български и устройството на Българската църква през Първото ни царство. – В: Християнска агиология и народни вярвания: Сборник в чест на ст.н.с. Елена Коцева (ред. А. Милтенова, Е. Томова, Р. Станкова). С., 2008, 356–369.
Vondrák, V., O mluvě Jana Exarcha bulharského, Praha, p. 40–92, p. 95–97 (1896)
Трифонов, Ю., Сведения из старобългарския живот в "Шестоднева" на Йоан Екзарх, Списание на БАН, т. 35, с. 1–26 (1926)
Мавродинов, Н., Описание на Преслав в Шестоднева на Йоан Екзарх, ИП, кн. 3, с. 66–76 (1955)
Миятев, К., Два поетични фрагмента у Йоан Екзарх като исторически извори, Археология, кн. 1–2, с. 9–16 (1959)
Хаджиолов, А., Йоан Екзарх Български като учен и философ, основоположник на българското естествознание, Проблеми на природата, кн. 8, с. 177 (1978)
Боев, П., Йоан Екзарх Български – първият наш антрополог, Проблеми на природата, кн. 9 с. 317 (1978)
Борисов, М., А. Ваврек, В. Кусев, "Йоан Екзарх – първият разпространител на знания в областта на физическите науки у нас", Физика, кн. 1, с. 14–28 (1983)
Борисов, М., А. Ваврек, Г. Камишева, "Йоан Екзарх Български – пръв разпространител на физически знания у нас", Предшественици на разпространението и развитието на физическите знания в България, София, Народна просвета (1985) с. 5–65
Чолова, Ц., Върховната власт и управлението в средновековната българска държава по времето на Симеон, отразени в "Шестоднева" на Йоан Екзарх, Известия на Института по история, т. 27, с. 216–235 (1985)
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