| Description |
2 volumes ; 22 cm. |
| Series |
The fathers of the church ; v. 113-114 |
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Fathers of the church ; v. 113-114.
|
| Summary |
"The complete text of the Letters of Barsanuphius and John appears here in English for the first time. John Chryssavgis's faithful and deft translation brings vividness and freshness to the wisdom of a distant world, ensuring its accessibility to contemporary readers. Addressed to local monastics, lay Christians, and ecclesiastical leaders, these remarkable questions and responses (850 of them) offer a unique glimpse into the sixth-century religious, political, and secular world of Gaza and Palestine during a period torn by doctrinal controversy and in a context shaped by the tradition of the early desert fathers. The "great old man," Barsanuphius, and the "other old man," John, flourished near Gaza around the early sixth century. Choosing to dwell in complete isolation, they saw no one with the exception of their secretaries, Seridos and the well-known Dorotheus of Gaza. Barsanuphius and John communicated in silence through letters with numerous visitors who approached them for counsel. Curiously, this inaccessibility became the very reason for the popularity of the elders. They formed an extraordinarily open system of spiritual direction, which allowed space for conversation and even conflict in relationships, while also accounting for the wisdom and the wit of the correspondence. Barsanuphius's inspirational advice responds to problems of a more spiritual nature; John's institutional advice responds to more practical problems. The two elders in fact complement one another, together maintaining a harmonious authority-in-charity. Their letters are characterized by spontaneity and sensitivity, as well as by discretion and compassion. They stress ascetic vigilance and evangelical "violence," gratitude and joy, humility and labor, prayer and tears."--Publisher's website. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and indexes. |
| Contents |
Letters to Various Brothers (349-398) -- Letters to Laypersons and to Monks (399-462) -- To a Devout Layman, Namely, the Future Abbot Aelianos (463-482) -- Letters to Various Monks (483-491) -- Letters to a Former Soldier, Now a Monk (492-502) -- More Letters to Various Monks (503-570) -- On Abba John, the Other Old Man (570B) -- On Abbot Seridos (570C) -- Letters to Abbot Aelianos (571-598) -- Letter to the Monks of the Monastery (599) -- On the Death of the Other Old Man, John (599B) -- Letters to a Monk about Origenism (600-607) -- Letters to Various Brothers (608-616) -- Letters to Laypersons of Various Professions (617-787) -- Letters to Various Bishops and to the Inhabitants of Gaza (788-844) -- Letters to Various Laypersons and a Brother (845-848). |
| Subject |
Spiritual life -- Orthodox Eastern Church.
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Asceticism -- Orthodox Eastern Church.
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Monastic and religious life.
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Asceticism -- Orthodox Eastern Church.
(OCoLC)fst00818441
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Monastic and religious life. (OCoLC)fst01025101
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Spiritual life -- Orthodox Eastern Church.
(OCoLC)fst01752376
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Religious life.
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| Added Author |
John, the Prophet, Saint.
|
|
Chryssavgis, John.
|
| Added Title |
Biblos psychōphelestatē periechousa apokriseis. English
|
|
Β́ιβλος ψυχωφελεστ́ατη περίεχουσα ̓αποκρ́ισεις. English
|
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Barsanuphius and John : letters |
| Other Form: |
Online version: Barsanuphius, Saint, 6th cent. Biblos psychōphelestatē periechousa apokriseis. English. Letters. Washington, D.C. : Catholic University of America Press, ©2006-2007 (OCoLC)608205945 |
| ISBN |
0813201136 (v. 1 ; cloth ; alk. paper) |
|
9780813201139 (v. 1 ; cloth ; alk. paper) |
|
9780813201146 (v. 2 ; cloth ; alk. paper) |
|
0813201144 (v. 2 ; cloth ; alk. paper) |
| Standard No. |
9780813201139 |
|
