HANDOUT FOR OCT. 4: 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.
Abbot, from Aramaic abba: father.
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. Writes Life of Antony and introduces text to Latin West.
Martin of Tours, c.315-397. In Gaul as monk from 360, bishop from 372.
John Cassian (c.365-433). Founds monastery at Marseilles on Egyptian model.
Augustine (354-430). Founds monastery and writes 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.
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.