Lecture 16: monasticism as Radical Christianity
o By the time of his death, he had under his authority some
nine monasteries for men and two for women, with thousands
of members.• The Pachomian Rule regulated for many monks living “the solitary
life” in common, in a rhythm of isolation and community.
o Time alone was spent in prayer and meditation and in the
working of small crafts.o Time together was devoted to meals, common prayer, and
instruction.• The Pachomian form of monasticism would be amplified and
altered by others in the East (Basil of Caesarea) and in the West
(Benedict of Nursia). But Pachomius established the dominant
pattern of Christian monastic life.• An important source of knowledge about monastic ideals is
John Cassian (360–430). His Institutes and Conferences are
compendiums of monastic lore from Egypt.
o From Scythia (the territory around modern Russia and
Ukraine), Cassian learned from the early monks in Egypt
(c. 385), spent time in Constantinople, and in 415, founded
two monasteries in Marseilles, where he composed his two
great works.o The Institutes elaborates the cenobitic life in great detail,
including manner of dress, work, and prayer.o The Conferences takes the form of sermons given by the desert
monks on topics extending from prayer and contemplation to
fighting the “noon-day devil” (accidie, or boredom).• So popular was the wilderness life that a virtual “city in the
wilderness” appeared in the Egyptian desert, with monasteries for
both men and women scattered everywhere.