Evagrius Ponticus: Ad Monachos

Ancient Christian Writers #59

by Evagrius Ponticus, Jeremy Driscoll (Translator)

Proverbs from this desert father, translated for the first time into English. †

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Christian

416 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Evagrius 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.

Reviews

[Alexander Rolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Better the layman who goes to bed when tired, than the monk who keeps vigil with idle thoughts." Lots of good, non-idle thoughts in this collection of proverbs. I read only Evagrius's part-- I ignored the bulk of the book, which is a big commentary by the translator, focusing on the arrangement of the proverbs. Maybe there's a lot of hay to be made there, but I doubt it.

[Frank]

Ancient Christian Writers

[Chris McFadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite desert father without a doubt. This book has changed my life and led me into deeper spiritual horizons. I am so glad to have been introduced to him through seminary.