Evagrius Ponticus

Christian Monk

b. c. 345 · d. 399

Evagrius Ponticus ; also called Evagrius the Solitary, was a Christian monk and ascetic from Heraclea, a city on the coast of Bithynia in Asia Minor. One of the most influential theologians in the late fourth-century church, he was well known as a thinker, polished speaker, and gifted writer. He left a promising ecclesiastical career in Constantinople and traveled to Jerusalem, where in 383 AD he became a monk at the monastery of Rufinus and Melania the Elder. He then went to Egypt and spent the remaining years of his life in Nitria and Kellia, marked by years of asceticism and writing. He was a disciple of several influential contemporary church leaders, including Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Macarius of Egypt. He was a teacher of many others, including John Cassian and Palladius of Galatia.

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How we know

Recorded as a historical figure.

  • The Seven Ecumenical Councils (NPNF series 2 vol. 14) 2 claims — Second Council of Constantinople; Who exactly was condemned in 553
  • Ecclesiastical History 1 claim — Evagrius is made archdeacon at Constantinople

Glosses

  • Who exactly was condemned in 553 The fifth ecumenical council anathematised Origen, and the three men usually named with him were not all named by it. Canon 11 of Constantinople II lists Origen alone among the ancient heretics it condemns. It is the…

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