Arsenius the Great
Arsenius the Great was a Roman imperial tutor who became a highly regarded anchorite and Desert Father in Egypt. He is remembered for his influential teachings on asceticism and the contemplative life, and for his profound humility and devotion, which earned him the surname "the Great" from his contemporaries.
- Feast Day
- May 8
- Century
- 5th century
- Country Or Region
- Egypt
Key Facts
- ›Arsenius was born in Rome in 350 AD to a Christian, Roman senatorial family.
- ›He served as a tutor to the sons of Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I the Great, including future emperors Arcadius and Honorius.
- ›Around the year 400, he joined the desert monks at Scetes, Egypt, and lived as an anchorite for fifty-five years.
- ›He was forced to leave Scetes in 434 due to raids and relocated to Troe, near Memphis.
- ›Arsenius is credited with writings such as "Instructions and Advice" and a commentary on the Gospel of Luke.
- ›His feast day is celebrated on may 8 in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Arsenius the Deacon, Arsenius of Scetis and Turah, Arsenius the Roman, Arsenius the Great
About Arsenius the Great
Arsenius the Great (354 – 450), also known as Arsenius the Deacon, Arsenius of Scetis and Turah, and Arsenius the Roman, was a prominent figure among the Desert Fathers, renowned for his profound influence on asceticism and the contemplative life. His contemporaries so admired him that they bestowed upon him the epithet "the Great."
Life and Historical Context
Born in Rome in 350 AD to a Christian senatorial family, Arsenius received a distinguished education, mastering rhetoric, philosophy, and both Latin and Greek languages. Around 383, he was recommended by Pope Damasus I to Byzantine Emperor Theodosius I to tutor his sons, the future emperors Arcadius and Honorius. Arsenius arrived in Constantinople in 383 and served as a tutor within the imperial family for eleven years. Despite living a life of great pomp and luxury in the palace, Arsenius experienced a growing desire to renounce the world.
Renunciation and Asceticism
Around the year 400, Arsenius left Constantinople, traveled to Alexandria, and fled into the Egyptian wilderness. He sought admission among the desert monks at Scetes and was placed under the spiritual guidance of John the Dwarf. To test his humility, John treated Arsenius with indifference, but Arsenius meekly accepted the humble treatment, satisfying John's requirements for his admission into monasticism. In 434, raids by the Mazices forced him to leave Scetes. He relocated to Troe near Memphis and later spent fifteen years wandering the desert. During his fifty-five years of solitary life, Arsenius practiced extreme asceticism, dressing in the meanest attire and eschewing worldly comforts as penance for his former life of vanity. He was particularly devoted to prayer, often weeping copiously, and prioritized his union with God above all else, even refusing to return to court when his former pupil, Arcadius, became emperor.
Teachings and Legacy
Arsenius was known for his quiet nature and emphasis on silence, famously stating, "Many times have I repented of having spoken, but never have I repented of having remained silent." His teachings greatly contributed to the development of monastic traditions and the contemplative life. Several writings are attributed to him, including "Instructions and Advice" and a commentary on the Gospel of Luke, alongside numerous sayings preserved in the Apophthegmata Patrum. His disciples included Alexander, Zoilus, and Daniel.
Arsenius died around 445 AD in Troe, at the age of approximately 95. His body was transferred to a church and buried under the altar. The influential monastery that developed at Tura, near Memphis, became a significant Chalcedonian stronghold in Lower Egypt, though it faced destruction and rebuilding throughout its history due to various conflicts and decrees.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Arsenius the Great?
Arsenius the Great was a Roman imperial tutor who later became an anchorite and one of the most respected Desert Fathers in Egypt. He is known for his teachings on asceticism and the contemplative life.
Why was Arsenius called "the Great"?
His contemporaries admired him greatly for his profound humility, devotion, and influential ascetic teachings, leading them to bestow upon him the surname "the Great."
What was Arsenius's life like before becoming a monk?
Before entering the desert, Arsenius was a well-educated Roman from a senatorial family who served as a tutor to the sons of Emperor Theodosius I in Constantinople. He lived a lavish life at court but felt a growing inclination to renounce the world.
Where did Arsenius live as an anchorite?
Arsenius lived as an anchorite in the desert wilderness of Egypt, primarily at Scetes. He later relocated to Troe near Memphis and spent time on the island of Canopus due to raids on the Scetes monasteries.
What writings are attributed to Arsenius?
Several writings are attributed to Arsenius, including a guideline for monastic life titled "Instructions and Advice" and a short commentary on the Gospel of Luke. Many of his sayings are also found in the Apophthegmata Patrum.
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