497 Early Church History 15: Monasticism from Anthony to Benedict

May 25, 2023

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Basil

Guest

Join Anthony, the early founder of monasticism known for his ascetic desert life, Pachomius, who pioneered communal living, Basil, a key theologian shaping monastic structure, and Benedict, the author of the influential Rule of Benedict. They delve into the rich history of monasticism, discussing the intense spiritual battles faced by early monks, the evolution of communal practices, and the balance of discipline and worship within monasteries. Their profound impact on the formation of Christian communities unfolds in a fascinating narrative of faith and resilience.

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Intro

00:00 • 10min

The Spiritual Battles of Monasticism

09:38 • 21min

Life and Order in a 6th Century Monastery

30:55 • 14min

The Rhythm of Monastic Worship: Vigils and Daily Life

44:56 • 2min

Evolution of Monastic Practices from Anthony to Benedict

47:16 • 5min

Listener Inquiries: Insights on Church Figures and Scholarly Resources

52:33 • 4min

This is part 15 of the Early Church History class.

We are shifting gears away from Christology to talk about the desert fathers and mothers. These were people that decided to leave the city and go off alone or in communes to practice spiritual disciplines and asceticism. They denied themselves pleasure in their pursuit of sanctification and spiritual warfare. Today we'll go over four early founders, including Anthony, Pachomius, Basil, and Benedict. Although this subject may seem somewhat tangential to the main arc of early church history, as it turns out, these monks exercised a huge influence on Christianity at large.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEUeiVsNeo0&list=PLN9jFDsS3QV2lk3B0I7Pa77hfwKJm1SRI&index=15

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—— Notes ——

Anthony the Great (251-356)

One of the earliest hermits
Athanasius of Alexandria wrote the Life of Anthony, which became an extremely popular hagiography.
Heard what Jesus said to the rich young ruler in Matthew 19.21 and sold his possessions to give to the poor
Trained under an old hermit (a.k.a eremite or anchorite) before going off alone
Practiced extreme asceticism and isolation
Repeatedly tempted and beaten by demons
Lived in a tomb, then an abandoned Roman fort, then on a mountain
Athanasius had Anthony come to Alexandria to endorse the eternality of the Son over against the subordinationists.

Pachomius (292-348)

Studied 7 years under a hermit named Palaemon near Anthony in the Egyptian desert
Went off on his own and lived as an anchorite
Started a XXfor hermits unable physically or mentally to live alone
Known as founder of cenobitic monasticism
Developed a rule to govern monastery life
Monasteries dotted the desert in Egypt, Judea, and Syria

Basil Caesarea (329-379)

Grew up wealthy and well-educated
Became a Christian and donated his fortune to the poor
Studied with monks in Egypt and influenced by Pachomius
Returned to Caesarea and began founding monasteries
Diminished the austerity of Pachomian monasteries and adapted to life in the city where monks ran orphanages, hospices, and hospitals
Designed a rule for monasteries, incorporating interspersed periods of worship and manual or scholarly labor
Adapted and popularized monastery life in the Greek-speaking East
Died