early history of monasticism

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Early History of Monasticism 1. Ascetics in the Bible. 2. Ascetics in early Judaism: Essenes. 3. The rise of monasticism. 4. St.Antony of Egypt. 5. Communal monasticism. 6. Spiritual warfare. 7. Functions of the holy man. Temptation of Christ in the desert

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Early History of Monasticism. Ascetics in the Bible. Ascetics in early Judaism: Essenes. The rise of monasticism. St.Antony of Egypt. Communal monasticism. Spiritual warfare. Functions of the holy man. Temptation of Christ in the desert. Nazarites in the OT. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Early History of Monasticism

Early History of Monasticism

1. Ascetics in the Bible.2. Ascetics in early Judaism:

Essenes.3. The rise of monasticism.4. St.Antony of Egypt.5. Communal monasticism.6. Spiritual warfare.7. Functions of the holy man.

Temptation of Christ in the desert

Page 2: Early History of Monasticism

Nazarites in the OT

• Consecrated to God and made the following vows:– Abstained from wine– Did not cut their hair– Avoided contact with the dead body

• Example: Samson

Page 3: Early History of Monasticism

Essene settlement in Qumran (second c. BC-first c. AD)

• Lived in an isolated community founded by the “Teacher of Righteousness”

• Rejected Temple worship• Massacred by Romans in 68 AD.

Page 4: Early History of Monasticism

Dead Sea Scroll Jar from Qumran

Page 5: Early History of Monasticism

John the Baptist

“Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.”

Mk 1: 6.

Page 6: Early History of Monasticism

NT call to perfection

• Matthew 19:21: If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." (cf. Evagrius, Praktikos 97)

• 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 7: ‘It is well for a man not to touch a woman, but because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. . . This I say by way of concession, not of command. I wish that all were as I myself am.’

Page 7: Early History of Monasticism

Stark contrast between the cultivated land and the desert

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Leaving everything behind...

Page 9: Early History of Monasticism

Two reasons for the rise of monasticism

1. Renewal movement within the church.2. Call to personal holiness.

Page 10: Early History of Monasticism

Antony the Great (251?-356)

• founder of solitary monasticism

• his call

• Athanasius’ Life of St. Antony became a model

Page 11: Early History of Monasticism

St Antony enjoying the company of St Paul the Hermit

Page 12: Early History of Monasticism

Life was not peaceful all the time...

Page 13: Early History of Monasticism

Demonic hordes attack St Antony

Page 14: Early History of Monasticism

A close-up of the demonic ‘Zoo’

Page 15: Early History of Monasticism

St Antony’s monastery. Founded in 356.

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Entrance towers, St Antony’s monastery

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Communal Monasticism

1. St Pachomius.2. Pachomian monasteries3. Pachomian Rules.

Apa Menos is a friend of God

Page 18: Early History of Monasticism

St. Pachomius (290-346)

• Founded a monastery at Tabenninsi in Egypt about 320 AD

• Wrote the first monastic rule

• At death presided over 9 monasteries for men and 2 for women

Pachomius & David of Thessalonica (right)

Page 19: Early History of Monasticism
Page 20: Early History of Monasticism

Main architectural features of Pachomius’s monastery

• Enclosing wall

• Gate-house

• Guest-house

• Assembly Hall (church or synaxis)

• Refectory with Kitchen

• Hospital

• Several houses with cells for monks

Page 21: Early History of Monasticism

Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai.

Page 22: Early History of Monasticism

Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai.

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Monastery of Anba Hatre in Egypt

Page 24: Early History of Monasticism

Anba Hatre. Plan of the monastery.

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Principal Church (11th c.; remains)

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A Cell with Stone Beds

Page 27: Early History of Monasticism

Spiritual warfare: five stages of sin

1. Provocation2. Coupling3. Assent4. Captivity5. Habit

Page 28: Early History of Monasticism

Seven deadly sins

Page 29: Early History of Monasticism

Goals of monastic life

1. Purity of heart2. Ceaseless prayer 3. Life according to the

Beatitudes4. Self-mastery.5. Imitation of Christ6. Final goal: eternal life

Ladder of Divine Assent: John Climachus

Page 30: Early History of Monasticism

The function of the holy man in Late Antiquity

• Miracle-worker • Patron and protector• Mediator between heaven and earth• Intercessor who stands outside social relations