HANDOUT FOR FEB. 14: MONASTICISM
Terms:
Asceticism, from Gk. askesis: effort, discipline, struggle.
Monk, monastery, monasticism, from Gk. monachos: "single" or "solitary."
Hermit, from Gk. eremos: desert or wilderness.
Lavra, loosely organized monastic settlement, a cluster of individual cells.
Abbot, from Aramaic abba: father.
Cenobite or cenobitic, from Gk. koinos bios, "common life". Refers to monks living in groups.
People:
Antony, first monk in Egypt: c.260-c.350.
Pachomius, founder in Egypt of first organized monastery with a Rule: c.292-346.
Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria 328-373. Wrote Life of Antony and introduced text to Latin West, where it helped inspire Augustine’s conversion.
Basil, bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia (modern Turkey) c.329-379. His monastic Rule set the standard for the Greek Orthodox Church.
Macrina, Basil’s sister. Founded one of earliest monasteries for women.
John Cassian (c.365-433). Founded monastery at Marseilles on Egyptian model.
Augustine (354-430). Founded monastery and wrote Rule for his clergy at Hippo.
Jerome (c.347-420): Ascetic and scholar. Spent years living in desert near Jerusalem. Produced Latin "Vulgate" translation of Scripture.
Alexander the Akoimete ("sleepless") d.430: monk in Syria and Asia Minor who pursued "Apostolic Poverty." His followers renounced property and employment, wandered and begged like the Apostles. Called "sleepless" because of their 24-hour nonstop hymn-singing.
Benedict (c.480-540): Founder of monastery at Monte Cassino; source of Benedictine Rule that became dominant monastic system in later centuries.
Gregory the Great (c.540-604): Pope of Rome from 590-604. Wrote Dialogues on the Life of St. Benedict.
Columbanus d.615. Irish monk and monastic reformer.
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