Ascetic Discourses
Ascetic Discourses
Published on 1. September 2001
Book
Paperback/Softback
284 pages
978-0-87907-750-1 (ISBN)
Description
Written in the fifth century, during one of the most formative periods of christian monasticism in Egypt and Palestine, The Ascetic Discourses show a strong influence of the Scripture, both Old and New, and of Early monastic writers. They are marked by a faithfulness to tradition, yet equally by a note of originality distinctive to the Gaza region. Abba Isaiah has set forth a practical guide for monks, ever aware of the challenges that interpersonal relationships present within monastic communities.
Reviews / Votes
The illuminating introduction to the translation of these twenty-nine monastic discourses written in the mid-fifth century explores scholarly issues . . . this volume is a model for showing how to make a book user-friendly . . . Until this translation appeared, we had only a bit of Abba Isaiah in English (in the translation of the Philokalia), so this work is a welcome addition, made all the more welcome because of the readable translation and useful apparatus.Cistercian Studies Quarterly . . . a hugely important contribution to the canon of desert wisdom. It deserves a wide readership amongst scholars and laypeople. I enjoyed it very much indeed.Mystics Quarterly This first complete English translation of the writings of Abba Isaiah is a major contribution to the extant library of desert wisdom from the fifth century of the Christian Era . . .The book itself is a delight to handle and work with, having a pleasingly thorough, through unobtrusive, number of indices (patristic references, scriptural citation, names and subjects). The plethora of references here, and in the body of the text, testify to the importance of Isaiah in the Egyptian and Palestinian Christian world . . . a hugely important contribution to the canon of desert wisdom. It deserves a wide readership amongst scholars and laypeople.MagistraMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Collegeville, MN
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
415 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-87907-750-1 (9780879077501)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
John Chryssavgis is a Professor of Theology at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston. He completed his undergraduate studies in Athens and earned his doctoral degree at Oxford. Recent publications include The Way of the Fathers: Exploring the Minds of the Church Fathers (1988), Beyond the Shattered Image: Insights into an Orthodox Ecological Worldview (1999), and Soul Mending: The Art of Spiritual Direction (2000).
Content
Table of Contents
Table of Abbreviations 9
Preface 11
Introduction 13
1 Rules for the Brothers who Live with him 39
2 On the Natural State of the Intellect 43
3 On the Condition of Beginners and Anchorites 47
4 On the Conscience of Those who Stay in Their Cells 53
5 Faithful Commandments for the Edification of Those who Wish to Live Peacefully Together 69
6 On Those who Desire to Lead a Life of Good Silence 77
7 On Virtues 81
8 Sayings 87
9 Commands for Those who have renounced [with World] 95
10 Another Discourse 99
11 On the Grain of Mustard Seed 101
12 On Wine 103
13 On Those who have Struggled and Reached Perfection 105
14 Acts of Mourning 111
15 On Detachment 115
16 On the Joy that Comes to the Soul that Desires to Serve God 119
17 On Thoughts about Renunciation and Exile 131
18 On Forgiveness 139
19 On Passions 143
20 On Humility 147
21 On Repentance 149
22 On the Conduct of the New Person 163
23 On Perfection 173
24 On Tranquility 181
25 To Abba Peter, his disciple 183
26 Recorded by Isaiah's Disciple, Abba Peter, who had Heard it Spoken by his Master 211
27 In which he says, 'Attend Diligently' 219
28 The Branches of Malice 227
29 Lamentations 235
Bibliography 247
Patristics Index 257
Scripture Index 261
Index of Names 271
Subject Index 275
Table of Abbreviations 9
Preface 11
Introduction 13
1 Rules for the Brothers who Live with him 39
2 On the Natural State of the Intellect 43
3 On the Condition of Beginners and Anchorites 47
4 On the Conscience of Those who Stay in Their Cells 53
5 Faithful Commandments for the Edification of Those who Wish to Live Peacefully Together 69
6 On Those who Desire to Lead a Life of Good Silence 77
7 On Virtues 81
8 Sayings 87
9 Commands for Those who have renounced [with World] 95
10 Another Discourse 99
11 On the Grain of Mustard Seed 101
12 On Wine 103
13 On Those who have Struggled and Reached Perfection 105
14 Acts of Mourning 111
15 On Detachment 115
16 On the Joy that Comes to the Soul that Desires to Serve God 119
17 On Thoughts about Renunciation and Exile 131
18 On Forgiveness 139
19 On Passions 143
20 On Humility 147
21 On Repentance 149
22 On the Conduct of the New Person 163
23 On Perfection 173
24 On Tranquility 181
25 To Abba Peter, his disciple 183
26 Recorded by Isaiah's Disciple, Abba Peter, who had Heard it Spoken by his Master 211
27 In which he says, 'Attend Diligently' 219
28 The Branches of Malice 227
29 Lamentations 235
Bibliography 247
Patristics Index 257
Scripture Index 261
Index of Names 271
Subject Index 275