Ascetics and Ambassadors of Christ: The Monasteries of Palestine, 314-631

John Binns

Oxford University Press on Demand, 1996 - Fiction - 276 pages

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.

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Review: Ascetics and Ambassadors of Christ

User Review  - Kate - Goodreads

Do I get ascetic points for sitting through this book?

About the author

John Binns is Vicar at the Holy Trinity Church in Upper Tooting.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Ascetics and Ambassadors of Christ: The Monasteries of Palestine, 314-631; Clarendon paperbacks; The Oxford early Christian studies
• Author: John Binns
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand, 1996
• ISBN: 019826934X, 9780198269342
• Length: 276 pages
• Subjects: Fiction / Classics; History / Ancient / General; Religion / Christianity / History; Religion / History