Give Me a Word
Popular Patristics Series Volume 52

When Christians first began living as monks in the Egyptian desert at the beginning of the fourth century, they had few books and almost no learning. As they gained experience, they concentrated that experience in the form of an oral tradition of tales and sayings (apophthegmata). Apart from the Scriptures (also learned by heart) this was the only training manual they had. Consequently, when the onslaught of barbarians drove many monks out of Egypt early in the following century, they found it better to preserve their oral tradition in writing.

Thus, towards the end of the fifth century there eventually emerged a codification of this monastic lore. It was in two parts: one in which the items were arranged in alphabetical order by the name of the monk who either authored the saying or was characterized in the tale; the other in which all the remaining "anonymous" material was arranged under various heads. The present volume is an attempt to provide the reader with a readable translation of the first of those parts.
1136528658
Give Me a Word
Popular Patristics Series Volume 52

When Christians first began living as monks in the Egyptian desert at the beginning of the fourth century, they had few books and almost no learning. As they gained experience, they concentrated that experience in the form of an oral tradition of tales and sayings (apophthegmata). Apart from the Scriptures (also learned by heart) this was the only training manual they had. Consequently, when the onslaught of barbarians drove many monks out of Egypt early in the following century, they found it better to preserve their oral tradition in writing.

Thus, towards the end of the fifth century there eventually emerged a codification of this monastic lore. It was in two parts: one in which the items were arranged in alphabetical order by the name of the monk who either authored the saying or was characterized in the tale; the other in which all the remaining "anonymous" material was arranged under various heads. The present volume is an attempt to provide the reader with a readable translation of the first of those parts.
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Give Me a Word

Give Me a Word

by John Wortley
Give Me a Word

Give Me a Word

by John Wortley

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Overview

Popular Patristics Series Volume 52

When Christians first began living as monks in the Egyptian desert at the beginning of the fourth century, they had few books and almost no learning. As they gained experience, they concentrated that experience in the form of an oral tradition of tales and sayings (apophthegmata). Apart from the Scriptures (also learned by heart) this was the only training manual they had. Consequently, when the onslaught of barbarians drove many monks out of Egypt early in the following century, they found it better to preserve their oral tradition in writing.

Thus, towards the end of the fifth century there eventually emerged a codification of this monastic lore. It was in two parts: one in which the items were arranged in alphabetical order by the name of the monk who either authored the saying or was characterized in the tale; the other in which all the remaining "anonymous" material was arranged under various heads. The present volume is an attempt to provide the reader with a readable translation of the first of those parts.

Product Details

BN ID: 2940162628354
Publisher: St Vladimir's Seminary Press
Publication date: 02/24/2020
Series: Popular Patristics Series , #52
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

For many years John Wortley (b. 1934) taught medieval history at the University of Manitoba. Now professor emeritus, he still serves as a priest of the Anglican / Episcopal Church. Of his many translations from Greek he is best known for John Skylitzes: A Synopsis of Byzantine History 811–1057, Cambridge University Press, 2010
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