The increasing influence of monastic leaders brought with it increasing concern from the bishops as to whether these monks would be friend or foe. One bishop, Pope Athanasius of Alexandria, worked to bring these monastics under greater episcopal control so that their power could be used for the benefit, and not to the detriment, of the Church – at least as Athanasius perceived it.
Links:
Image of Syncletica of Alexandria
Life and Sayings of Abba Pambo
Life of Amma Syncletica, reputedly by Athanasius.
Mary Forman, OSB – Amma Syncletica: A Spirituality of Experience
Sayings of Amma Syncletica
Athanasius’ Life of Saint Anthony
David Brakke – Athanasius and the Politics of Asceticism
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#363 – A History of the Catholic Church – Bishop and Monk
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