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| Chapter I. How Theonas came to Abbot John.
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Chapter I.
How Theonas came to Abbot John.
Before we begin to set
forth the words of this Conference held with that excellent man Abbot
Theonas,2158
| 2158 Nothing further is
known of this Theonas than what Cassian here tells us: he is clearly a
different person from the one mentioned by Rufinus, Hist. Mon. c. vi.
Cf. Palladius, Lausiac History, c. l. | I think it well
to describe in a brief discourse the origin of his conversion because
from this the reader will be able to see more clearly both the
excellence and the grace of the man. He then while still very young was
by the desire and command of his parents joined in the tie of marriage,
for as with pious anxiety they were careful about his chastity, and
were afraid of a critical fall at a dangerous age, they thought that
the passions of youth might be anticipated by the remedy of a lawful
marriage. When then he had lived for five years with a wife, he came to
Abbot John, who was then for his marvellous sanctity chosen to preside
over the administration of the alms.2159
| 2159 Diaconia. Cf.
the note on XVIII. vii. | For it is
not anyone who likes who is of his own wish or ambition promoted to
this office, but only he whom the congregation of all the Elders
considers from the advantage of his age and the witness of his faith
and virtues to be more excellent than, and superior to, all others. To
this blessed John then the aforesaid young man had come in the
eagerness of his pious devotion, bringing gifts of piety among other
owners who were eager to offer tithes and first-fruits of their
substance to the old man I mentioned,2160
| 2160 This is noteworthy as
being the earliest instance on record of the payment of tithes to a
monastery. The language of the Conference, it will be noted, shows that
they were not regarded as legally due or in any way compulsory, but as
a free-will offering on the part of the faithful. Cf. Bingham,
Antiquities, Book VII. ciii. § 19; and the Dictionary of Christian
Antiquities, Vol. ii. p. 1964. |
and when the old man saw them pouring in upon him with many gifts, and
was anxious to make some recompense in return for their offerings, he
began, as the Apostle says, to sow spiritual things to them whose
carnal gifts he was reaping.2161
And finally thus
began his word of exhortation.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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