Charis
Charis
(grace), in the system of Valenitinus, is an alternative name with Ennoea and Sige, for the consort of the primary AEon, Bythos (Irenseus, i, 4). ῥ The name expresses that aspect of the absolute Greatness in which it is regarded not as a solitary monad, but as imparting some of its perfection to beings of which it is the ultimate source; and this is the explanation given in the Valentinian fragment preserved by Epiphanius (Haer. xxxi, 6).- The use of the word Charis enabled Ptolemaeus (quoted by Irenaeus, i, 8) to find ill John i, 14 the first tetrad of Leons, viz., Pater, Monogenes, Charis, Aletheia. Charis has an important place in the system of Marcus (Irenseus, i, 13). The name Charis appears also in the system of the Barbelita (Irenaeus, i, 29), but as denoting a later emanation than in the Valentinian system. The word has possibly also a technical meaning in the Ophite prayers preserved by Origen (Contra Celsum, vi, 31).
