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Three works of fifth-century monastic leader Neilos of Ancyra, for the first time in English translation, introduced and annotated by a leading scholar of early Christianity
Neilos of Ancyra (sometimes mistakenly called Nilus of Sinai) was a learned and wise rhetorician, who lived in the fourth–fifth century and became a renowned monastic guide and later a bishop in Anatolia (modern Turkey). He wrote a number of works and one thousand letters. In The Teachings of Neilos of Ancyra, Tim Vivian presents the first English-language translations of three of his works: Brief Statements of Exhortation; Guidance That Leads a Person away from What Is Corruptible and Unites That Person with What Is Incorruptible; and Concerning the Eight Evil Thoughts. These show direct influence from the Apophthegmata Patrum, the sayings and stories of the desert fathers and mothers, and offer a wealth of insight into Neilos’s spiritual thinking.
Through rich social, economic, and cultural contextualization, Tim Vivian takes us into the world of this monastic leader, who navigated the spaces between the city and the countryside in Anatolia. He then presents the Greek text for the three works, each accompanied by an extensive introductory essay that prepares readers for the subsequent translation of the text, complete with copious notes, biblical references, and analytical points concerning the Greek text. The bibliography and extensive glossary offer essential content and explanations of terms and concepts across the monastic literature. Throughout, Vivian draws on references to contemporary media posts, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry to make often striking connections between early-monastic teachings and the challenges and difficulties of the modern world.
The Teachings of Neilos of Ancyra will be of interest to students and scholars of early Christianity, early monasticism, and Christian spirituality.
"In The Teachings of Neilos of Ancyra, Tim Vivian offers mini-essays that constitute a primer for anyone interested in early Christian theologians and their world. He has a gift for dusting off these ancient writers and for 'unbarnacling' words like 'sin' that have lost their meaning over the centuries. In doing so, he is helped by the direct, non-abstract, and potent language these early Christian theologians employ. This book is a fine addition to Vivian’s work on the desert fathers and mothers."—Kathleen Norris, author of The Cloister Walk and Acedia & Me
“Carefully examining one’s thoughts and gently nurturing one’s behavior is what the early desert tradition brings to the table, especially in an age when thoughtlessness and heartlessness—in oneself and one’s relationships—often go unchallenged. Neilos of Ankyra reminds us of the subtlety and sensitivity of a spirituality that balances the internal practices of prayer and discernment with the external realities of pride and possessions. Tim Vivian renders yet another series of extraordinary texts accessible for contemporary scholarship and a general readership.”—John Chryssavgis, author of In the Heart of the Desert and Letters from the Desert
“This text will surely be the standard and critical ‘go-to’ work for anything to do with Neilos henceforth.”—John A. McGuckin, from the foreword
Foreword John McGuckin
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Dictionaries Used
Prologue: Modern Thoughts on Key Words
1. General Introduction
I. Neilos (Νεȋλος)
II. Ankyra
III. Crime & Punishment, Law & Order
2. Brief Statements or Exhortation
Introduction
Translation and Text
3. Guidance that Leads a Person away from What is Corruptible
and Unites that Person with What is Incorruptible
Introduction
I. Foreword: Spiritual Doctrine
II. What is Corruptible and What is Incorruptible
III. The World Corrupted
IV. Do Not Wish to Be Wealthy
V. Possessions Ever Now Perishing
VI. Fire, Judgment, and the Judge
VII. Honor and Esteem the Soul
VIII. Anti-Beatitudes and Beatitudes
Translation and Text
4. Concerning the Eight Evil Thoughts
Introduction
I. Neilos and Evagrius
II. Neilos and Hyperechios
III. Neilos and Cassian
IV. A Fire that Burns Without Consuming
V. Concerning the Eight Evil Thoughts
Translation and Text
I. Concerning Gluttony
II. Concerning Sexual Immorality
III. Concerning Love of Money
IV. Concerning Anger
V. Concerning Gloominess
VI. Concerning Acedia
VII. Concerning Self-importance
VIII. Concerning Excessive Pride
Glossary
Selected Bibliography
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
Editions and Translations
Poetry, Fiction, Memoir, Sermon, & Song
Studies & Media Pieces
Indexes
Occurrences of Key Words
Topics
Authors
Transliterated Names and Terms
Scripture