The Institutes

After travelling to Egypt from Rome during the fourth century, known as the golden age of Christian Monasticism in the east, St John Cassian wrote two books for the benefit of those who were curious of the monastic life. This book is one of those two. The Institutes first describes the dress of the monks and their prayer life before writing about the 'eight vices' which any monk must struggle against.

The Institutes is a classic monastic writing and essential reading for anyone who wants to ...