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Cistercian Studies Series #4
Evagrius Ponticus: The Praktikos. Chapters on Prayer
The living link through whom the ascetic principles of hellenistic philosophers passed into monasticism, Evagrius molded Christian asceticism through his own works and through his influcence on John Cassian, Climacus, Pseudo-Denis, and Saint Benedict.
180 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
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About the author
Evagrius Ponticus
22 books21 followersEvagrius Ponticus (Greek: Εὐάγριος ὁ Ποντικός, "Evagrius of Pontus"), also called Evagrius the Solitary (345–399 AD), was a Christian monk and ascetic. One of the most influential theologians in the late fourth-century church, he was well known as a thinker, polished speaker, and gifted writer. He left a promising ecclesiastical career in Constantinople and traveled to Jerusalem, where in 383 he became a monk at the monastery of Rufinus and Melania the Elder. He then went to Egypt and spent the remaining years of his life in Nitria and Kellia, marked by years of asceticism and writing. He was a disciple of several influential contemporary church leaders, including Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Macarius of Egypt. He was a teacher of others, including John Cassian and Palladius.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 31, 2023
The Chapters on Prayer are a foundation of Christian contemplative prayer. Once one has gotten used to substituting "the passions" for "the demons," it becomes more accessible to the modern reader.
August 30, 2018
Excellent, provoking.
Some of it was a slough to tread, but the Chapters on Prayer are resonant. I want to dwell with those words for a long while.
The most affective parts:
"The state of prayer can be aptly described as a habitual state of imperturbable calm (apatheia)." p.63
"If you are a theologian you truly pray. If you truly pray you are a theologian." p.65
"Train yourself like a skilled athlete. You must learn not to become anxious... stand firm." p.70
"Do you long to pray? Renounce all things. You will then become heir to all." p.61
"Strive to make your prayer more than mere habit. Make it a true inner experience." p.61
Tying all these together, adding more I've highlighted in my book, leads me to ask, Who am I? What do I desire? Do the people I've allowed to speak to my life exhibit much of the above? Why do I resonate with them?
Some of it was a slough to tread, but the Chapters on Prayer are resonant. I want to dwell with those words for a long while.
The most affective parts:
"The state of prayer can be aptly described as a habitual state of imperturbable calm (apatheia)." p.63
"If you are a theologian you truly pray. If you truly pray you are a theologian." p.65
"Train yourself like a skilled athlete. You must learn not to become anxious... stand firm." p.70
"Do you long to pray? Renounce all things. You will then become heir to all." p.61
"Strive to make your prayer more than mere habit. Make it a true inner experience." p.61
Tying all these together, adding more I've highlighted in my book, leads me to ask, Who am I? What do I desire? Do the people I've allowed to speak to my life exhibit much of the above? Why do I resonate with them?
January 28, 2025
The 153 chapters on contemplative prayer are quite aphoristic, making them well suited to memorize - something many of us would do well to endeavor. For those who doubt the applicability of contemplation to the Christian life and need a more dimensional understanding of the spiritual warfare that occurs in the life of prayer, this is a welcome resource. Many of the riches of Buddhism (which are often great and compelling) are better represented in this rich vision of contemplative prayer.
December 18, 2019
Two classic works of Christian spirituality with a long introduction (seriously, its like half the book). The Praktikos has Evagrius taking us through eight demons (sins, temptations) with instructions for how to resist. Then there is the Chapters on Prayer, 153 brief paragraphs ("chapters") on prayer. The intro said Evagrius basically invented the Christian style of writing in numbered brief chapters. This type of writing is brilliant for morning devotional reading. This year I've read Maximus the Confessor, Isaac the Syrian and Evagrius. If you're looking for some deep devotional literature, check this out. Its worth reading over and over.
June 13, 2022
These short meditations and musings on prayer are stunning in their simplicity but staggering in their power. Evagrius has captured the sort of urgency that is needed within prayer and the almost warlike way we are supposed to go about it. A truly great read
May 26, 2018
This book has been on an unofficial list for years, so when I was thinking of books to buy from my birthday money last year, I thought it was time. I was glad I did because, although I've been encountering Evagrius' ideas in various monastic and monastic related writings, I had never really approached them at first hand. This volume is graced by an extensive introduction which is, itself, worth the price of admission. Written by Abbot John Eudes Bamburger (for those Henri Nouwen fans, the same abbot featured in Nouwen's visit to Genesee Abbey)). It sets the tone for a psychologically informed reading of Evagrius which helps put Evagrius' thinking into context. That is helpful because, otherwise, these early monastic works can be difficult to approach.
These two texts are, of course, monastic classics, written by a figure who was considered suspect because of his associations with Origen, that influential, if theologically ambivalent 3rd century Father. There is a tension in reading Evagrius because when he's focusing on practice, he's very good, but his theology does have a strong and problematic Platonic drift. Any reader has to be careful about that because that drift can carry one away from a sound incarnational Christianity to a dualistic Platonism. Yet, Evagrius is hard to beat in his deep discussion of the psychology of prayer which is his primary virtue here.
These are strange works to the ears of modern readers, filled with practical experience in prayer and contemplation, deep psychological insight, occasionally odd theology and more than its share of demons in the soup. Yet, the labour is rewarded by Evagrius' sensitivity to the human condition and his acute understanding of how prayer works.
These two texts are, of course, monastic classics, written by a figure who was considered suspect because of his associations with Origen, that influential, if theologically ambivalent 3rd century Father. There is a tension in reading Evagrius because when he's focusing on practice, he's very good, but his theology does have a strong and problematic Platonic drift. Any reader has to be careful about that because that drift can carry one away from a sound incarnational Christianity to a dualistic Platonism. Yet, Evagrius is hard to beat in his deep discussion of the psychology of prayer which is his primary virtue here.
These are strange works to the ears of modern readers, filled with practical experience in prayer and contemplation, deep psychological insight, occasionally odd theology and more than its share of demons in the soup. Yet, the labour is rewarded by Evagrius' sensitivity to the human condition and his acute understanding of how prayer works.
September 5, 2009
This book had a lot of information on Evagrius and the desert monks. You can tell it is aimed at a specific audience (theology scholars) but I still enjoyed it and I am just an amateur interested in religious studies.
The introduction is probably just as long as the actual Praktikos and Chapters written by Evagrius, but it was well written and I was not tempted to skip through it (like I tend to do sometimes with boring, lengthy introductions written by intellectuals).
I was surprised to find certain parts of the Chapters on Prayer to be very similar to Buddhist beliefs, and also I found other parts to be nearly identical to Islamic beliefs. (Evagrius was a Christian monk). It also covered early Christian beliefs (specifically in angels and demons) that are not often referred to in today's modern "Christian Inspiration" titles.
The introduction is probably just as long as the actual Praktikos and Chapters written by Evagrius, but it was well written and I was not tempted to skip through it (like I tend to do sometimes with boring, lengthy introductions written by intellectuals).
I was surprised to find certain parts of the Chapters on Prayer to be very similar to Buddhist beliefs, and also I found other parts to be nearly identical to Islamic beliefs. (Evagrius was a Christian monk). It also covered early Christian beliefs (specifically in angels and demons) that are not often referred to in today's modern "Christian Inspiration" titles.
September 6, 2017
The first half of this book is a biography and theological summary of Evagrius, whose teaching was later condemned by the Church. This background alone, along with the summaries of Origen, St. Basil and others who either influenced or were influenced by Evagrius is well worth it. i was glad to see that Evagrius was a contemplative theologian who allowed life experience, prayer and reflection play a role in informing his theology (love of God).
July 23, 2020
I am generally not excited to read the works of the patristic fathers, and Evagrius is not someone that I would seek out unless otherwise directed, but this was worth reading. The two classic theological texts are both interesting and thought provoking, although the Chapters on Prayer probably have more resonance with the contemporary world.
April 30, 2024
“Do not turn the very antidote of passion into passion if you do not wish to offer further provocation to One who has given you this grace. This madness has led any number of persons astray. They have lost sight of the purpose of their tears even while weeping for their sins.”
—
“When you are of the mind that you do not stand in need of tears for your sins along with your prayer, then give some thought to the distance that separates you from God, whereas you ought to be in him constantly. Then you will shed more abundant tears than ever.”
—
“The spoken word or some movement made by the body is a sign of the passions of the soul. By means of such signs our enemies perceive whether we have conceived their thought within us and bring it forth or, on the contrary, through concern for our salvation cast it away. It is God alone, who has created us, who knows our spirits. He has no need of a sign to discover the secrets in our hearts.”
—
“Happy is the man who thinks himself no better than dirt. Happy is the monk who views the welfare and progress of all men with as much joy as if it were his own. Happy is the monk who considers all men as god-after God.”
—
“The perfect man does not work at remaining continent, nor does the man with apatheia work at being patient. For patience is the virtue of a man who experiences untoward emotions and continence is the virtue of a man who suffers disturbing impulses.”
—
“The time of temptation is not the time to leave one's cell, devising plausible pretexts. Rather, stand there firmly and be patient. Bravely take all that the demon brings upon you, but above all face up to the demon of acedia who is the most grievous of all and who on this account will effect the greatest purification of soul. Indeed to flee and to shun such conflicts schools the spirit in awkwardness, cowardice and fear.”
—
“I have observed the demon of vainglory being chased by nearly all the other demons, and when his pursuers fell, shamelessly he drew near and unfolded a long list of his virtues.”
—
“Reading, vigils and prayer—these are the things that lend stability to the wandering mind. Hunger, toil and solitude are the means of extinguishing the flames of desire. Turbid anger is calmed by the singing of Psalms, by patience and almsgiving. But all these practices are to be engaged in according to due measure and at the appropriate times. What is untimely done, or done without measure, endures but a short time. And what is short-lived is more harmful than profitable.”
—
“The man who flees from all worldly pleasures is an impregnable tower before the assaults of the demon of sadness. For sadness is a deprivation of sensible pleasure, whether actually present or only hoped for. And so if we continue to cherish some affection for anything in this world it is impossible to repel this enemy, for he lays his snares and produces sadness precisely where he sees we are particularly inclined.”
—
“When you are of the mind that you do not stand in need of tears for your sins along with your prayer, then give some thought to the distance that separates you from God, whereas you ought to be in him constantly. Then you will shed more abundant tears than ever.”
—
“The spoken word or some movement made by the body is a sign of the passions of the soul. By means of such signs our enemies perceive whether we have conceived their thought within us and bring it forth or, on the contrary, through concern for our salvation cast it away. It is God alone, who has created us, who knows our spirits. He has no need of a sign to discover the secrets in our hearts.”
—
“Happy is the man who thinks himself no better than dirt. Happy is the monk who views the welfare and progress of all men with as much joy as if it were his own. Happy is the monk who considers all men as god-after God.”
—
“The perfect man does not work at remaining continent, nor does the man with apatheia work at being patient. For patience is the virtue of a man who experiences untoward emotions and continence is the virtue of a man who suffers disturbing impulses.”
—
“The time of temptation is not the time to leave one's cell, devising plausible pretexts. Rather, stand there firmly and be patient. Bravely take all that the demon brings upon you, but above all face up to the demon of acedia who is the most grievous of all and who on this account will effect the greatest purification of soul. Indeed to flee and to shun such conflicts schools the spirit in awkwardness, cowardice and fear.”
—
“I have observed the demon of vainglory being chased by nearly all the other demons, and when his pursuers fell, shamelessly he drew near and unfolded a long list of his virtues.”
—
“Reading, vigils and prayer—these are the things that lend stability to the wandering mind. Hunger, toil and solitude are the means of extinguishing the flames of desire. Turbid anger is calmed by the singing of Psalms, by patience and almsgiving. But all these practices are to be engaged in according to due measure and at the appropriate times. What is untimely done, or done without measure, endures but a short time. And what is short-lived is more harmful than profitable.”
—
“The man who flees from all worldly pleasures is an impregnable tower before the assaults of the demon of sadness. For sadness is a deprivation of sensible pleasure, whether actually present or only hoped for. And so if we continue to cherish some affection for anything in this world it is impossible to repel this enemy, for he lays his snares and produces sadness precisely where he sees we are particularly inclined.”
October 29, 2025
A rich source of Eastern contemplative spirituality, filled with great tips on how to battle the demons in our spiritual life. Evagrius was quite advanced for his time in his understanding of the dynamics of the soul, how passions arise, and the strategies to deal with them. His Chapters on Prayer consist of memorable short statements that serve as useful reminders for those seeking to deepen their relationship with the Triune God. The ascetic and demanding nature of his teachings will inspire serious contemplatives to embrace greater discipline and intensify their spiritual watchfulness.
Some of my favourite quotes:
“If you are a theologian you truly pray. If you truly pray you are a theologian.”
“When your spirit withdraws, as it were, little by little from the flesh because of your ardent longing for God, and turns away from every thought that derives from sensibility or memory or temperament and is filled with reverence and joy at the same time, then you can be sure that you are drawing near that country whose name is prayer.”
Some of my favourite quotes:
“If you are a theologian you truly pray. If you truly pray you are a theologian.”
“When your spirit withdraws, as it were, little by little from the flesh because of your ardent longing for God, and turns away from every thought that derives from sensibility or memory or temperament and is filled with reverence and joy at the same time, then you can be sure that you are drawing near that country whose name is prayer.”
May 17, 2025
This work is largely an unacknowledged but essential text to the Christian contemplative and mystic traditions. Evagrius stands behind all the famous contemplatives and mystics of the Christian tradition, and is largely obscured from history for various reasons (eg it is hard to establish someone as truly heretical when they weren’t writing in dogmatic fashion and were writing before the Nicene Creed was affirmed). This volume is of incredible value to Christians who are interested in contemplative prayer and mysticism. My personal introduction to this book was through Martin Laird’s work. One set back to this book is that there is about 130 pages of introductory and explanatory comment throughout the book. While that is a bit frustrating at first, it is actually quite helpful and understanding the obscure figure with these obscure books who has a bit of a checkered history within the church. Highly recommended.
November 6, 2023
Read this one in college and realized I didn’t have it logged here yet. Fascinating book. Incredibly thought provoking. However it advocated more of a step by step do-it-yourself method of salvation and had no understanding of the gospel or of the grace of God.
- However.. it has been a very very long time since I’ve read it, so my memory could be wrong.
- However.. it has been a very very long time since I’ve read it, so my memory could be wrong.
February 3, 2018
the book was pretty good. the introductions get a bit tedious. the translator also becomes very focused on psychological things in the book. many notes are not helpful. the text itself is pretty good.
August 6, 2019
The best part of this is the editorial voice that combines search for the most complete truth about Evagrius' situation and message with search for the most authentic Christian spirituality.
May 8, 2020
This book served as one of my introductions to the prayer life of the Orthodox Church. Its advice is important, useful, and timeless.
November 4, 2020
Evagrius’ teaching is essentially Stoicism baptized. Still, there are a few gems in here: “When you give yourself to prayer, rise above every other joy - then you will find true prayer” (80).
August 31, 2021
Lot of pithy prayer advice here. Very similar to buddhism particularly in how demons are treated.
June 17, 2022
Various aphorisms are okay, I just didn’t think it had the same depth as many of the other patristic scholars in reading.
September 22, 2015
This is a Spiritual Classic. Evagrius was emulated by the Desert Elders that proceeded him and he was revered by Christian Mystical and Contemplative tradition. His approach to the life of silent prayer formed the foundation upon which Contemplative Christianity rested. His terse definition of silent prayer as "the shedding of thoughts" was often quoted. It was the plumb line for future generations of monks and hermits. This is a short text to be read and re-read.
-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)
-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)
November 1, 2021
Want to know where the idea of the seven deadlies came from?
In a very hot desert about 1700 years ago…
We often think we’ve gotten a lot better at understanding ourselves just because we are later in time than our ancient counterparts, Evagrius will change that perspective just a bit.
In a very hot desert about 1700 years ago…
We often think we’ve gotten a lot better at understanding ourselves just because we are later in time than our ancient counterparts, Evagrius will change that perspective just a bit.
April 6, 2016
I love this desert father.
February 9, 2018
I have only gotten to read Ponticus's section on his eight deadly thoughts. Intriguing perspective on the concept of sin and how to handle temptation.
December 11, 2019
A classic in the history of the early monastic movement. I read it because Kathleen Norris found in it the diagnosis of the acedia she had battled all her life. It is not an easy read.
January 13, 2020
One of the most practical explanations of the struggles of mankind, written in the third century AD, yet still very much applies to today.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews