The second volume of the Letters of Barsanuphius and John completes the collection of these monastic writings, which provided both spiritual and practical advice to a variety of sixth-century interlocutors from diverse walks of life. The two anchorites, having settled in an isolated location near Gaza, were in demand as trusted counselors, responding to questions on topics ranging from relationships within monasteries to problems of municipal taxation. Barsanuphius, the "great old man," and John, the "other old man," fulfilled their time-honored role as resident holy men in their locality, leaving behind a wealth of monastic wisdom as well as inspiration for all Christians.Distinctive to this volume are many colorful letters that will attract the interest of historians of this period. Some of these are responses to inquiries about specific problems of mundane life, such as veterinary treatment for a horse, the leprous disease of a household servant, and vandalism in a vineyard. Of broader applicability is the advice regarding such issues as the replacement of an unworthy bishop, the management of alms donated for the poor, and the quality of public entertainment in faraway Constantinople. The religious diversity of the Gaza region at this time, a century before the advent of Islam, generated questions about how Christians should interact with Jewish, pagan, and Manichaean fellow citizens.Abundant also are insights into the human heart. Barsanuphius and John offer timeless teachings on the inner warfare against resentful thoughts, temptations, doubts, anxieties, and reluctance to surrender oneself trustfully to God. They examine the human foibles arising from relationships among monks, and between monks and abbots, with a serene clarity resulting from these holy men's long experience with the introspective asceticism of the desert. Charity and humility, perpetual watchwords of the Christian life, are combined with prudence and discretion to create a literary corpus that both inspires and informs.

Letters (Fathers of the Church)

Religion & Spirituality

Barsanuphius, John

Barsanuphius, Saint

John, the Prophet, Saint

Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts

Catholic Univ of Amer Pr

<p>Two monastic elders the 'Great Old Man' Barsanuphius, and the 'Other Old Man' John flourished in the southern region around Gaza in the early part of the sixth century. Maintaining strict seclusion within their cells, they spoke to others only through letters by way of Abba Seridos, the abbot of the monastic community in Gaza, where these two holy men lived in silence. The authority of John may be described as more institutional, responding as he does to problems of a practical nature; the authority of Barsanuphius is more inspirational, responding to principles of a spiritual nature. Thus, they complemented each other and together they maintained a harmonious 'authority-in-charity.' Rather than the Western emphasis on discipline, these two elders retained an emphasis on discernment, thus preserving the flexibility and fluidity of the Egyptian desert lifestyles (from whence Barsanuphius had been formed). Nevertheless, both men were highly educated and displayed a fine intellect, as is reflected in their writings. In the East, one sought out an elder, an Old Man (a geron in Greek or an abba, the Coptic word) as a spiritual director, and this was the chief role of monastic community to the surrounding community. These letters of the two Old Men were written to hermits, to monks in the community, to those in the choir, to priests, and to lay persons. Some were intended for advanced instruction, while others were intended for novices'according to the capacity of the inquirer. So one must not perceive as a general rule words spoken to souls at different spiritual levels. Still, these questions and answers evoke the image of the Christian tradition being passed from elder to disciple, and the contemporary reader will be able to appreciate the method and possibly be inspired to imitate the message.</p>

Letters from the Desert: A Selection of Questions and Responses (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press Popular Patristics Series)

Christian Books & Bibles

St Vladimirs Seminary Pr

Desert Fathers from sixth-century Palestine, Ss. Barsanuphius and John were sought after by monastics and laity alike for spiritual counsel, being asked questions that were very like those asked by Christian strugglers from today. Their answers expose the nature of the vices - false humility, cold-hearted calculation, judgment, idleness, lack on inward vigilance, carnal thoughts, and vainglory - and show the way to overcoming them and acquiring virtue. The love of the Elders for their disciples comes through on every page; with Divine vision the Elders see their souls, and the salvation of these souls in their only concern in offering guidance. Also included are selected passages from the Spiritual Homilies of St. Macarius the Great of Egypt.

Guidance Toward Spiritual Life: Answers to the Questions of Disciples

St Herman Pr

Letters from the Desert: The Full Text

of Beersheba, Saint John

Independently published

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