The monastic school of Gaza / by Brouria Bitton-Ashkelony & Aryeh Kofsky.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bitton-Ashkelony, Bruria.

Contributor:

Kofsky, Arieh.

Series:

Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae 0920-623X ; v. 78.

Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae, 0920-623X ; v. 78

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Orthodox Eastern monasticism and religious orders--Gaza Strip--Gaza--History--Early church, ca. 30-600.

Orthodox Eastern monasticism and religious orders.

Monastic and religious life.

History.

Gaza Strip--Gaza.

Monastic and religious life--Gaza Strip--Gaza--History--Early church, ca. 30-600.

Gaza--Church history.

Physical Description:

249 pages ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2006.

Summary:

This book studies one of the most striking chapters in the history of late antique monastic culture, provided by the monastic legacy of Gaza. A monastic intellectual community flourished in the region of Gaza from the fourth to the seventh century, producing a wealth of literary works. In this diverse and exciting literary corpus-especially in the unique correspondence between spiritual leaders and their clientele-matters that are usually only hinted at in monastic sources, are vividly portrayed. Distinct from the dry and matter-of-fact monastic instructions and the stereotypes of hagiography, this corpus exposes the psychological tensions, moods, frustrations, and elations in the daily existence of the monks, revealing them as creatures of flesh and blood. This book seeks to frame the historical development of this community and endeavours to analyze the spiritual and intellectual context of what may be termed the monastic school of Gaza. The legacy of this complex and thriving centre cuts across theological differences and boundaries. Shedding light on these neglected educated circles enhances and somewhat balances the overall historical picture of late antique ascetic culture and Palestinian Christianity.

Contents:

I The Birth and Flourishing of a Monastic Centre 6

II Peter the Iberian and the Anti-Chalcedonian Resistance in Palestine 47

III Peter the Iberian: In the Footsteps of Moses 62

IV The Invisible Holy Men: Barsanuphius and John 82

V Counseling Through Enigmas 107

VI The Usefulness of Sin 127

VII The Necessity of Penitence, Bear One Another's Burdens (Gal. 6:2) 145

VIII Spiritual Exercises: The Continuous Conversation of the Mind with God 157

IX Daily Life 183

X Social Interaction 197

XI The Fate of the Anti-Chalcedonian Monastic Community 213.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [226]-237) and indexes.

ISBN:

9004147373

OCLC:

61694900