Missionaries and religious travellers to Egypt were baffled by the willing long-term relocation by ascetics to the desert, which they considered dreary and lonely the desert was a lifeless landscape. The desert was simply not considered acceptable as a place for true Christian living the locations of monastic sites served only to underscore the greater …
The journey across the desert is very monotonous, but at length, after crossing an elevation covered with shining black pebbles, the long line of the walls of Dayr Macarius come in sight. This monastery, as indeed are all those in the Natron valley, is surrounded by a lofty wall, with an entrance on one side …
“I suggest that, given what we know of the social tensions in Roman Egypt, the presence of an emerging culture of asceticism, and the growth of a church in which Scripture figured prominently, the impact of Scripture on early monastic acts of renunciation should not be underestimated.” Douglas Burton-Christie The fact that he writes this …
Tradition has bestowed on Antony and Pachomius the status of founders of early Egyptian monasticism. They serve as the movement's primary icons; Antony represents the anchoritic model of the ascetic life, Pachomius its coenobitic form. Antony's earlier date has fashioned him as the individual representative of monastic origins. His discovery of the "ascetic" desert, marks …
To understand the system of Pachomius’ communal monasticism is to understand Pachomius’ spirituality. In the first place Pachomian spirituality was one of community. His conversion had been brought about by the charity of the Christians, after which he became inspired by the image of service. This inspiration came to typify the expression of Pachomius’ own …
There is no doubt that St. Antony gave to God everything he possessed; He did according to the commandment: "He went and sold all he had and gave it to the poor." (Mt 19:21) He gave to God 300 acres of the most fertile land in Bani-Souif. He gave to God all that awaited him …
I want to focus particularly on one phrase that is said often about monks which is that they are “earthly angels”. This simply means that every monk is an angel. So what does the word angel mean and why is a monk compared to an angel. The 1st thing about an angel is that he …
Abba John (the Dwarf) said, “Humility and the fear of God are above all virtues.” Abba Poemen said, “As the breath which comes out of his nostrils, so does a man need humility and the fear of God. Die daily, that you might live eternally, for one who fears God will live forever. St. Anthony …
You will be proclaimed charitable, not simply because you have refused to accept something from another person, but rather you will be recognized as a renunciant because you have given without looking back. When you distribute material goods, strive to cast pure seeds, lest instead of wheat you have tares come forth (Matt, 13: 24-30). …
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful, composed by the Spirit for this reason, namely, that we men, each and all of us, as if in a general hospital for souls, may select the remedy for his own condition. For, it says, “care will make the greatest sin to cease.” (Eccles10:4) Now, the …
