Wandering, begging monks: spiritual authority and the promotion of monasticism in late antiquity

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction

Wandering in the Desert and the Virtues of Manual Labor

Xeniteia in the Desert

Stories of the Wandering Pioneers

Settling the Desert

Wandering in Dejection and the Solace of Manual Labor

Wandering and Sustenance in the Desert

Wandering and Communal Stability in the Desert

Apostolic Wanderers of Third-Century Syria

An Apostolic Paradigm for Ascetic Wanderers: The Acts of Thomas

A Manual for Apostolic Wanderers: Pseudo-Clement's Letters to Virgins

The Continuing Influence of the Apostolic Paradigm

In Support of "People Who Pray": Apostolic Monasticism and the Messalian Controversy

The Evolution of the Messalian Profile

Toward a Broader Definition of the Messalian Controversy

Conflicting Assumptions of Orthodox Monastic Practice in the East

Conflicting Assumptions of Orthodox Monastic Practice in the West

Apostle and Heretic: The Controversial Career of Alexander the Sleepless

Alexander the Apostolic Man

Alexander the Heretic

Spiritual Authority and the Messalian Controversy

Hypocrites and Pseudomonks: Beggars, Bishops, and Ascetic Teachers in Cities of the Early Fifth Century

Beggars at the Gates

John Chrysostom and the Christmongers of Constantinople

Nilus and the Ascetic Parasites of Ancyra

John Chrysostom and the Monks of Constantinople

Monastic Patronage and Social Mobility

Monastic Patronage and the Two Churches of Constantinople

Dalmatius and Ascetic Enthusiasts in the Downfall of Nestorius

Eutyches and the Circumcellions of Constantinople

Toward a New Era in Church and Monastic Relations

Epilogue

App The Life of Alexander Akoimetos

Select Bibliography

Index.