Providing the first study of the monastic movement to focus on Palestine during the Byzantine period, Ascetics and Ambassadors of Christ explores the fascinating world of the desert monasteries, which existed in Jerusalem, Egypt, and Syria, and which played a key role in Byzantine society. Known as the "desert fathers," they are well-known even today as landmarks in the history of Christian spirituality. This book uses contemporary sources to discuss both how the monks actually lived and their contribution to the doctrinal and spiritual debate.

Ascetics and Ambassadors of Christ: The Monasteries of Palestine, 314-631 (Oxford Early Christian Studies)

Literature & Fiction

Binns, John

Classics

Oxford University Press

In this book, Binns examines the monastic movement in Palestine during the Byzantine period, from the accession of Constantine to the fall of Jerusalem to the Persians in 614. The monasteries of the desert--in Jerusalem, Egypt, and Syria--played an influential role in Byzantine society, and the "desert fathers" are well known even today as key figures in the history of Christian spirituality. Binns uses contemporary sources to discuss both how the monks actually lived, and their contributions to doctrinal and spiritual debates.

Ascetics and Ambassadors of Christ: The Monasteries of Palestine 314-631 (Oxford Early Christian Studies)

Clarendon Press

This introduction describes the life of the Orthodox Churches of the Christian East from the accession of the Emperor Constantine in 312 up to the year 2000. It discusses the distinctive Orthodox approaches to the themes of liturgy, theology, monastic life and spirituality, iconography, popular religion, mission, politics and the schism between East and West. The final chapter examines the response of the Churches to the new freedom following the collapse of communism and the prospects for the future.

An Introduction to the Christian Orthodox Churches (Introduction to Religion)

History

World

Cambridge University Press

This introduction describes the life of the Orthodox Churches of the Christian East from the accession of the Emperor Constantine in 312 up to the year 2000. It discusses the distinctive Orthodox approaches to the themes of liturgy, theology, monastic life and spirituality, iconography, popular religion, mission, politics and the schism between East and West. The final chapter examines the response of the Churches to the new freedom following the collapse of communism and the prospects for the future.

Great St Mary's: Cambridge's University Church

Meadows, Peter

Europe

Surrounded by steep escarpments to the north, south and east, Ethiopia has always been geographically and culturally set apart. It has the longest archaeological record of any country in the world: indeed, this precipitous mountain land was where the human race began. It is also home to an ancient church with a remarkable legacy. The Church of Ethiopia is the only pre-colonial church in sub-Saharan Africa; today it has a membership of around forty million and is rapidly growing. This book is the first major study of a community which has developed a distinctive approach different from all other churches. John Binns explains how its special features have shaped the life of the Ethiopian people, and how political changes since the overthrow of Haile Selassie have forced the Church to rethink its identity and mission. He discusses the famous rock-hewn churches; the Ark of the Covenant (claimed by the Church and housed in Aksum); medieval monasticism; relations with the Coptic Church; centuries of co-existence with Islam; missionary activity; and the Church's venerable oral traditions of poetic allegorical reflection.

The Orthodox Church of Ethiopia: A History

Africa

T&T Clark

The T&T Clark History of Monasticism: The Eastern Tradition

Despite its rich history in the Latin tradition, Christian monasticism began in the east; the wellsprings of monastic culture and spirituality can be directly sourced from the third-century Egyptian wilderness. In this volume, John Binns creates a vivid, authoritative account that traces the four main branches of eastern Christianity, up to and beyond the Great Schism of 1054 and the break between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Binns begins by exploring asceticism in the early church and the establishment of monastic life in Egypt, led by St Anthony and Pachomius. He chronicles the expansion, influence and later separation of the various Orthodox branches, examining monastic traditions and histories ranging from Syria to Russia and Ethiopia to Asia Minor. Culminating with both the persecution and the revival of monastic life, Binns concludes with an argument for both the diversity and the shared set of practices and ideals between the Orthodox churches, creating a resource for both cross-disciplinary specialist and students of religion, history, and spirituality.

T&T Clark History of Monasticism, The: The Eastern Tradition

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Lives of the Monks of Palestine (Cistercian Studies Series)

Cyril Of Scythopolis

Cistercian Pubns

Exercises, Instructive and Entertaining, in False English

Reference

Foreign Language Study & Reference

Nabu Press

America's Part in the World War: A History of the Full Greatness of Our Country's Achievements; the Record of the Mobilization and Triumph of the ... and Civilian Resources of the United States

March, Francis Andrew

St. Acons, London Nicholas

Americas

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Books by Binns, John