Conferences XVIII–XXIV, Conference XVIII

Conference XVIII

• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.1 — How we came to Diolcos and were received by Abbot Piamun. After visiting and conversing with those three Elders, whose Conferences we have at the instance of our brother Eucherius tried to describe, as we were still…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.2 — The words of Abbot Piamun, how monks who were novices ought to be taught by the example of their elders. The words of Abbot Piamun, how monks who were novices ought to be taught by the example of their elders.…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.3 — How the juniors ought not to discuss the orders of the seniors. Wherefore if, as we believe, the cause of God has drawn you to try to copy our knowledge, you must utterly ignore all the rules by which your early…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.4 — Of the three sorts of monks which there are in Egypt. Wherefore you should first hear how or whence the system and beginning of our order took its rise. For only then can a man at all effectually be trained in any…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.5 — Of the founders who originated the order of Cœnobites. And so the system of Cœnobites took its rise in the days of the preaching of the Apostles. For such was all that multitude of believers in Jerusalem, which is…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.6 — Of the system of the Anchorites and its beginning. Out of this number of the perfect, and, if I may use the expression, this most fruitful root of saints, were produced afterwards the flowers and fruits of the…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.7 — Of the origin of the Sarabaites and their mode of life. And while the Christian religion was rejoicing in these two orders of monks though this system had begun by degrees to deteriorate, there arose afterwards that…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.8 — Of a fourth sort of monks. There is however another and a fourth kind, which we have lately seen springing up among those who flatter themselves with the appearance and form of anchorites, and who in their early days…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.9 — A question as to what is the difference between a Cœnobium and a monastery. Germanus: Is there any distinction between a Cœnobium and a monastery, or is the same thing meant by either name?vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.10 — The answer. Piamun: Although many people indifferently speak of monasteries instead of Cœnobia, yet there is this difference, that monastery is the title of the dwelling, and means nothing more than the place, i.e.,…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.11 — Of true humility, and how Abbot Serapion exposed the mock humility of a certain man. Wherefore as I see that you have learnt the first principles of this life from the best sort of monks, i.e., that starting from the…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.12 — A question how true patience can be gained. Germanus: We should like to know how that calmness can be secured and maintained, that, as when silence is enjoined on us we shut the door of our mouth, and lay an embargo…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.13 — The answer. Piamun: True patience and tranquillity is neither gained nor retained without profound humility of heart: and if it has sprung from this source, there will be no need either of the good offices of the…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.14 — Of the example of patience given by a certain religious woman. Of this patience then I want to give you at least two examples: one of a certain religious woman, who aimed at the virtue of patience so eagerly that she…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.15 — Of the example of patience given by Abbot Paphnutius. Now let us give the other instance of Abbot Paphnutius, who always remained so zealously in the recesses of that renowned and far-famed desert of Scete, in which…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XVIII.16 — On the perfection of patience. A twofold reason however led me to relate this fact, first that we may weigh this steadfastness and constancy of the man, and as we are attacked by less serious wiles of the enemy, may…vatican.va