Sabas, Leader Of Palestinian Monasticism: A Comparative Study In Eastern Monasticism, Fourth To Seventh Centuries (dumbarton Oaks Studies)

The impact of the life of Sabas and his exceptional system of monastic life has endured from the fifth century to the present. In this study, which originated from an archeological survey, Joseph Patrich examines the Sabaitic contributions to Palestinian monasticism, from Sabas's role as founder and abbot to the theological struggles after his death. List of Illustrations ix Preface xiii Part I: Introduction 1 . Monasticism in Palestine before Sabas 3 2. Eastern Monasticism: Historical Survey and Characteristics II A. Mount Nitria, Kellia, and Scetis 11 B. The Pachomian Coenobia 17 C. Syrian Monasticism 22 D. Basilian Coenobitisni 28 E. The Organization of the Monastic Movement according to the Justinianic Legislation 32 3. Sabas' Biography 37 Part II: The Building Projects of Sabas and His Disciples The Geographic Background 51 1. Laurae 57 A. The Great Laura (483) 57 B. The New Laura (507) 107 C. The Heptastomos Laura (510) 110 D. The Laura of Jeremias (end of 531) 113 E. The Laurae of Sabas' Disciples: Firminus, the Towers, Neelkeraba 1 16 F. Discussion and Summary 122 2. Coenobia 137 A. The Monastery of Kastellion (492) 137 B. The Small Coenobium (493) 145 C. The Monastery of the Cave (508) 146 D. The Monastery of the Scholarius (509) 1 53 E. The Monastery of Zannos (511?) 1 58 F. The Monasteries near the River of Gadara and near Nicopolis (Emmaus) 161 G. The Monastery of Severianus, Sabas' Disciple (ca. 514/15) 161 H. Older Monasteries under the Supervision oi Sabas: The Coenobia of Euthymius and Thcoctistus 162 1. Coenobia: Summary 163 3. Additional lUiilding Projects 165 A. The Hostelries in Jei i( ho and Jenisalein 165 B. Tilt' (llnnch in Moulahiska, the Birthplace of Sabas 166 Part 111: Sabas as an Abbot and Monastic Legislator 1. The Administration of the Great Laura and the Other Sabaite Monasteries 169 A. The Abbot (fiyoiJiievo^), the Administrator (6ioiKr|Tric;), and the Relationship between the Sabaite Monasteries and the Great Laura 169 B. The Steward (oiKovoiaoq) and the Deputy (8emepdpioq) 174 C. Other Tasks 179 D. Sacred Duties in the Monastery Church 187 E. The Calligrapher (K:a^/\.iYpd(t)Oi;) and the Library of the Laura 189 F. The Way of Life of the Monks Fulfilling Service Tasks in the Laura 192 G. The Economy of the Sabaite Monasteries and Their Means of Support 194 2. The Uprisings of the Monks against Sabas 197 3. Sabas as Founder and Disseminator of Lauritic Monasticism 203 A. Gerasimus' Rules for the Cell Dwellers 205 B. The Way of Life in the Great Laura 206 C. The Way of Life in the Laurae of Chariton and in the Laura of Euthymius 224 4. The Weekly Liturgy in the Monasteries of Sabas and in the Other Desert Monasteries 229 A. The Daily Cursus of Prayers and the Weekly Cycle 229 B. The Celebration of the Eucharist 239 5. Sabas as a Monastic Legislator 255 A. The Rule of St. Sabas 255 B. The Novitiate 258 C. Other Regulations and Punishments in the Writings of Cyril of Scythopolis 266 D. The Sinai Monastic Rule of Mar Saba 274 Part IV: Sabas as an Ecclesiastical Leader 1. Sabas, A Holy Man (liusios) 279 2. Archimandrite of the Monks (before July 23, 494) 287 3. Sabas in the Sti uggle for Chalcedonian Orthodoxy 301 4. Emissary of the Church of Jerusalem to the Imperial C^ourt 311 Part V: Sabas' Successors (532-638) 1. The History of the Great Laura from Sabas' Death to the Muslim Conquest 323 2. Sabas' Followers in Theological Disputes 331 A. 1 he Origenist Controversy of the Sixth (Century 331 B. 1 he Monoenergetic and the Monothelitic Controversies 348 C. The Dispute Regarding the Filioque 349 D. The Iconoclast Controversy 351 Conclusion • 353 Bibliographical Abbreviations 359 Indices 391 Index of Monasteries Index of Persons Index of Places and People General Index