The Dawn of Athonite Monasticism

Bys: Elpenor and Nikoletseas, Michael

The Dawn of Athonite Monasticism examines the origins and history of monasticism on Mount Athos. Written by a retired professor of medicine, the book traces the tradition from the Egyptian desert fathers to the monasteries of the Holy Mountain. It focuses on key figures such as St. Antony, St. Athanasius, and the early pre-Lavra hermits, covering their biographies, teachings, and relationships.The book explores the anthropological and psychological elements that supported these communities, including ritualized kinship, sacred separation, individuation, and the shadow archetype. It addresses the tension between solitary (eremitic) and communal (cenobitic) monastic life and the development of hesychasm in Eastern Orthodoxy.This volume compares historical ideals with present-day challenges on Mount Athos, such as modernization, ecumenism, and tourism. It draws on primary sources like the Apophthegmata Patrum and modern scholarship.Intended for readers interested in religious history, theology, and Orthodox spirituality.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GZLQQF9Z
• ISBN13: 9798233966330
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: Elpenor
• Length: 114 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"