Rufinus and Jerome's Ascetic Communities: Origenism in the Early Church
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Date
2010-06
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
The ascetic regimens Rufinus and Jerome advocated to females within and outside their monastic communities included similar forms of abstinence, yet the differing motivations and goals of these practices reveal early theological engagement with Origen. The brand of monasticism found at the Mount of Olives community, which Rufinus guided spiritually, should be viewed as far more mystical and speculative, following Origen's rejection of anthropomorphism. It focused on the "pure prayer" advocated by Evagrius Ponticus which had its roots in the Egyptian desert at Nitria, an Origenist hotspot. Jerome's community in Bethlehem lived a highly structured life both academically and physically.
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Keywords
Origen, early church, Jerome, Rufinus, Asceticism