Tradition and Theology in St John Cassian (Oxford Early Christian Studies)

318 Pages·2007·1.3 MB·English

by  A. M. C. Casiday

OXFORD EARLY CHRISTIAN STUDIES
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TRADITION AND
THEOLOGY IN
ST JOHN CASSIAN
A. M. C. CASIDAY
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Casiday,Augustine.
TraditionandtheologyinStJohnCassian/A.M.C.Casiday.
p. cm.
Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex.
ISBN–13:978–0–19–929718–4(alk.paper)
ISBN–10:0–19–929718–5(alk.paper)
1. Cassian,John,ca.360-ca.435. 2. Churchhistory—Primitiveandearlychurch,
ca.30–600. I. Title.
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Preface
Though the monastic writings of St John Cassian have been endur-
ingly popular, his reputation (not least as a theological author)
has been seriously compromised. The present work begins with an
evaluation of conventional ideas about Cassian and, Wnding them
seriously Xawed, oVers the Wrst sustained attempt at re-reading
Cassian’s works without deference to the categories of outdated
polemics. SpeciWc attention is called to theChristological aspects of
Cassian’s monastic anthropology. Throughout, reference is made to
Cassian’s contemporaries—both well-known Wgures like Augustine
of Hippo, Evagrius Ponticus, Vincent of Le´rins, and Nestorius, and
lesser-known Wgures such as Prosper of Aquitaine, Valerian of
Cimiez, and Paul of Tamma—in order to oVer an analysis of
Cassian’s writings and their signiWcance that is unencumbered by
anachronism.
Acknowledgements
This book is based on my doctoral thesis (University of Durham,
DepartmentofTheology,2002).Whilstwritingthethesis,Ireceived
support from the Overseas Research Council, in the form of an
Overseas Research Studentship; from the University of Durham
and the Department of Theology, in the form of a grant from the
Dean’sFund,aDeBuryScholarshipandanEvansScholarship;from
twoanonymousdonationsadministeredbyFr.J.Trenham;andfrom
the Virginia H. Farah Foundation, in the form of a generous grant.
This was administered by His Grace, the Rt Revd Basil (Essey),
Bishop of Wichita and the Diocese of Mid-America of the Antio-
chian Christian Archdiocese of North America. Sayedna Basil has
been unstinting in his support of my work, and his encouragement
has been invaluable. It was my great privilege to carry out my
doctoral research under the supervision of Prof. Andrew Louth. I
havealsobeneWtedinwayspastcountingfromanumberofscholars,
friends and colleagues: Rt Revd Dr Kallistos (Ware); Prof. Gerald
Bonner;Prof.PeterBrown;RevdFrGabrielBunge,OSB;Prof.Patout
Burns;RevdFr.ConstantinChirila;RevdDrAdamCooper;DrMary
B. Cunningham; Dr Carol Harrison; Prof. C. T. R. Hayward; Ms
Anastasia Neubauer; Dr Glenn Peers; Revd Prof. Mark Sheridan,
OSB; Revd Dr Tim Vivian; Dr Stuart Weeks; and certainly not
least,DrMikaTo¨ro¨nen.AdamandMikainparticular werethebest
comradesapersonwritingathesiscouldhopefor,andIlearntagreat
dealfromthemboth.
Aftercompleting my thesis, I had the good fortune towork for a
year as a post-doctoral research associate in the University of Cam-
bridge’sDepartmentofAnglo-Saxon,NorseandCeltic,contributing
to the Fontes Anglo-Saxonici project. My colleagues in the depart-
ment were unfailingly gracious and hospitable to the patrologist in
their midst. In addition to fostering my Xedgling interests in the
circulation of Cassian’s works in the British Islesand in the monas-
ticism of the Anglo-Saxon period, they also allowed me ample time
to revise and expand the thesis (which, given access to the Special
Acknowledgements ix
Collections at the University Library, was an extraordinary oppor-
tunity). I would be remiss if I failed to thank by name Professors
D.N.DumvilleandS.D.Keynes,DrRosalindLove,andMissLaura
Hill.
The Wnal revisions to this script were, in the event, made back in
DurhamTheology,whereIcurrentlyholdaLeverhulmeEarlyCareer
Fellowship.
My greatest debt is owed to my family, especially to my long-
suVering wife, Rachel, who has endured countless boring sessions
upon asking how my work was going, and to our children, Helen,
Beata, Anthony, and Alexander whose very presence constantly
reminds me that there is more to life than books. To them this
bookislovinglydedicated.
28February2005,
TheOrthodoxfeastof
StCassiantheRoman,
Durham