Description
This paper analyses the life and work of John Cassian from an ‘agents of change’-perspective. Together with his friend Germanus, John first settled in Bethlehem during the early 380s to practice cenobitism, after which they moved to the Egyptian desert to experience semi-eremitism in Scetis. They became acquainted with the important Origenian thinker Evagrius of Pontus, based in nearby Kellia, and later found themselves at the centre of the Origenist controversy, which took place around the turn of the century. After the condemnation of Origenism, they enjoyed the hospitality of John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople, visiting the pope in Rome on Chrysostom’s behalf when he too became engulfed in bitter controversy. Eventually, Cassian landed in Marseille where he founded a monastery but, more importantly, set out to compose two remarkable works of monastic writing: the Institutes/Instituta and the Conferences/Collationes. Determined to form and transform monasticism in Gaul, he presented his personal synthesis of eastern and, more specifically, Evagrian (Origenian) monasticism, of which he possessed intimate knowledge. He was bilingual, which allowed him to effectively communicate eastern monasticism to the West. Experienced as an ambassador, he became part of a crucial network of monks and bishops in southern Gaul, to whom he would dedicate his works, thus involving them in the branding of his monastic ideals. In his Collationes, he opted for the creative and attractive amalgamation of autobiography, travel story and dialogue to get his message across. His communicative success is demonstrated by the fact that his views influenced the Regula magistri, which in turn had major impact on the Rule of Benedict. Remarkably, Benedict included Cassian’s works as suggested reading, which meant that centuries later, when Charlemagne selected this particular rule as the monastic standard, Cassian’s brand of monasticism became engrained in every monk. And while it was Cassian’s aim primarily to educate the monks of his own context, he did portray a way of living that would appeal to Christians outside the monastery as well, thereby initiating a longlasting trend of monasticized Christianity. In my paper, I will point to the factors that contributed to Cassian’s success as both an initiator and consolidator of change. While the aspects relating to personality and network will be discussed from an historical (biographical) viewpoint, the strong appeal of his ‘message’ will be brought out by a close reading of a section from Collationes (passage to be determined).| Period | 22 Apr 2021 |
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| Event title | Agents of Change: (part of Anchoring Innovation programme) |
| Event type | Workshop |
| Location | NetherlandsShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |