Shifting Narrative Voice in Niketas Stethatos’ Life of Saint Symeon the New Theologian

Niketas regularly jumps back and forth in his narrative of the Life of Symeon between first person singular and first person plural narrative voices. At one moment he has full control of the narrative, stating: “My narrative is sufficient to demonstrate…” while in the next he follows with, “But we must still add to our narrative an episode that we have almost omitted.” Sometimes the reader will even be formally addressed for his acquiescence in sharing a story about the saint: “But let us also hear, if you agree, what he did for his true disciple after his death.” A closer look at Niketas’ narrative choices reveals more than the use of simple rhetorical devices to sway a reader. Instead, Niketas engaged in the use of a clear pattern intended to move a skeptical audience to acceptance of Symeon’s place among the saints. In this respect, Niketas was ahead of his time, as contemporary research into narrative framing, including voice, reveals he could use techniques that have been identified to raise the probability of adding to his ingroup those who stood outside of it.