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Evagrius Ponticus: The Praktikos. Chapters on Prayer (Cistercian Studies)

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John Bamberger's translation of the Praktikos and Chapters on Prayer by Evagrius Ponticus should be required reading for anyone interested in the ascetic theology of ancient Christianity. Not only does he render the challenging, often elliptical, Greek of Evagrius into approachable English, but he prefaces the two works with an invaluable introduction. This century has been one of enormous progress in the study of Evagrius, and any reader of the Chapters on Prayer and the Praktikos will appreciate why such effort has been expended. Evagrius still has much to teach us.

This book includes Evagrius Ponticus' "The Praktikos" and "Chapters On Prayer", as well as a comprehensive treatise by John Eudes Bamberger ocso.

Bamberger (background as a psychiatrist, as a a monk, and as a erudite historian) gives us a clear view on the work of Evagrius (345-399). Evagrius, an important theologian in the 4th and 5th century, left the upper circles of Byzantine Constantinople, to live a humble and ascetic life as a monk in North African desert. In this period Evagrius wrote a system of guide-lines and psycho-religious support to help monks resisting mental temptations. Bamberger shows us in a clear and understandable way the surprising similarities between Evagrius' system and modern descriptive psychology. This book offers a fascinating focus on an important early period of European development of spiritual thinking and mental life, and provides help for people that want to take the matter up of serious prayer and contemplation.

"Evagrius Ponticus is the living link through whom the ascetic principles of Clement and Origen's Alexandrine mystical theology passed into the mainstream of Christian monasticism."

Intense Prayer:
Abba Macarius of Egypt said there is no need to waste time with words. It is enough to hold out your hands and say, "Lord, according to your desire and your wisdom, have mercy." If pressed in the struggle, say, "Lord, save me!" or say, "Lord." He knows what is best for us, and will have mercy upon us.Monastics of old, in Sketes, Nitria, and Kellia uttered, "Lord, make haste to help me. Lord, make speed to save me," all day long. We may join them to pray; "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me." Or, we might memorize a Psalter, or quote a Bible verse , or a sentense from the Lord'd prayer. In fourth century Egypt, in Sketes, Abba Macarius short "arrow" prayers were practiced by the Coptic monks, as recorded by Evagrius Ponticus, "at the time of these temptations make use of short and intense prayer." Chapter 98, on Prayer.

Evagrius on Psalmody and Prayer:
A connection between the seemingly disparate aspects of Evagrius' mystical theology and his writings on psalmody and prayer has been sought from three perspectives. Evagrius' training, life, and related spiritual writings, in the context of the 'discipline of psalmody' as practised by his contemporary monastics; Evagrius texts on the interrelationship between psalmody and prayer, and his underlining of the usefulness of psalmic contemplation in the healing of passions, are typical Sketes ascetical traditions. Biblical scholia when closely studied, may facilitate what Evagrius has called `undistracted psalmody', that is, contemplation by means of the words used in psalms of the person of Christ and of Christ's salvific work within his acts in creation, and redemption, a pioneering tradition, first taught by his grand master Origen.

Evagrius, the living link:
Evagrius was an able disciple of Alexandrine theological school, as practiced by the Desert Fathers, as Coenobitic monastic tradition. He creatively transmitted the essence of Coptic spirituality that deeply influenced Oriental and Western Christian thinkers from John Cassian to Simeon the new theologian, and his influence is still felt today between R. Catholics, through Jerome and Rufinus, but above all within the Benedictines and Cisterians. Thus spake Fr. Leclercq in his preface.

Evagrius Life and writings
In an eloquent and scholarly essay, Fr. Bamberger instructs us on the recovery of Evagrian writings, his life, and theology. Taking on this task he conducts it in a captivating style recounting stories of early Alexandrian masters Origen, Didymus and the Macariis in a tour escourted by Palladius, Bousset, Guillaumont, Chadwick, and Von Balthassar. He does not fail to include the Capadocians, Melania, Rufinus and Epiphanus.

The Evagrian Quadruplet
Fr. Bamberger not only translated Evagrius twin essays, but wrote an elaborate introduction that earns him the title: MystiCoptologist, a peritus on Coptic monasticism.
He invited Fr. Leclercq, the enlightened abbot of Clairvaux to write a master piece preface to supplement the triplet study and manuscripts. After thirty years, this classic proved instrumental in Evagrian cognition, as much or even more than "the Kephalaia Gnostica", adding his name to the Pontic master's club of Guillaumont et al.

The Praktikos: On Ascetic Life
Evagrius elleptical thought is rendered in plain English.The hundred chapters , demonic thoughts, the eight passions, takes forty of them. Instructions, Apatheia, its signs, takes the rest concluded with sayings of the holy monks.

153 chapters on Prayer:
"Unbroken communion" means that the mind is pure in its focus on God. "Undistracted prayer is the highest act of the intellect...The state of prayer can be aptly described as a habitual state of imperturbable calm." Evagrius Ponticus, The Praktikos c. 34 & 52
Following master Origen, Evagrius identifies contemplation with monastic life, and prayer to spiritual life , martyrdum being the sign of perfection. written possibly to Rufinus, the 153 here correspond to the large fish in John 21:11. His expressions are typically of the desert: the gift of tears, striving for a deaf mind,and flower of meekness, and fruit of joy and thanksgiving. He supports his writings with quotations from John the short, Theodore of Tabennisi, sealing it with benedictions, definitions, and promises.

It is a great discourse on prayer. I suggest that anyone seeking into this matter should read this book in a state of prayer and recollection before God. It is important to read a must the introduction and the footnotes that it contains. it is very informative and long. But it is something that you cannot rush into. Take it nice and slow daily devoted to it. remember the truths that you learn here and about yourself in this kind of reading has the power to change your life and your way of thinking. It brings you in to the life of thoughts and its prosess and where some of these thoughts originate from . Thats why it suggested to read it prayerfully before your maker. By His grace and power you can be taught as well as corrected by Him in your heart and mind. I have read"Evagrius Ponticus: Talking back" good second book, but I suggest this one first the "Praktikos" If your looking to soar the heights and humble yourself before your Creator this is great stuff go for it. Do not put any limitations on your prayer life or the one from whom all graces flow ! Peace + blessings to you who seeks! Michael+

This book was used as a supplemental resource in the development of lectures for a college level course on The Desert Fathers. The Introduction was helpful. This book is a good overall presentation of Desert Spirituality. Evagrius Ponticus is an important read for those who wish to understand the foundations of religious life.

Useful and well discussed book about two of the more interesting and well-known works by Evagrius Ponticus.

The discussion is well presented, concise but not superficial. The book can be an useful starting point for all those readers who have an interest in the Desert Father. Unfortunately, there are not references to the source material nor any analysis of the original text.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this work.

While this book is not the easiest read....written in what I call a very scholarly manner (which is a good thing)....I found myself becoming more a student of the notes than I wanted to be. The teachings are helpful and inspiring. Much appreciated.