Title: The Syriac Book of steps : Syriac text and English translation /
Authors: Kitchen, Robert A.; Parmentier, M. F. G.
Publisher: Gorgias Press,
Year: 2009
Subjects: Christian life Syrian Church Early works to 1800.; Monasticism and religious orders Syria History.; Spirituality Syrian Church History.; Syriac Christians Religious life.; Monasticism and religious orders; Syria
Abstract: "The Book of Steps is a collection of 30 sermons and Biblical interpretation by an anonymous author living in the Persian Empire (modern Iraq) during the late 300's. One of the largest examples of early Syriac literature, the Book of Steps describes the struggle of a Christian community prior to the advent of monasticism to live a faithful, committed life in the pursuit of perfection. The author details the aspirations and standards of the two ranks of Christians in his community: the Upright ones—married lay people who work in the world and perform the various acts of Christian charity—and the Perfect ones who are celibate, do not work, but live a life of prayer, while wandering through the region teaching and mediating conflicts. The Book of Steps is a unique work because it presents a living portrait of an actual religious community, not an idealized one, in the midst of a hostile culture. While the author advocates an ascetical lifestyle, this community does not practice the extreme physical asceticism so often associated with the Syriac church during this period. Unlike many works on the spiritual life, the author gradually seems to withdraw his praise for the higher rank, the Perfect, and begin to encourage, if not favor, the lower rank, the Upright."--Publisher's website.
Contents: Fascicle 1. The Syriac Book of Steps 1. Mēmrā one -- Mēmrā two: About those who want to become perfect -- Mēmrā three: The physical and the spiritual ministry -- Mēmrā four: On the vegetables for the sick -- Mēmrā five: On the milk of the children -- Mēmrā six: On those who are made perfect and continue to grow -- Mēmrā seven: On the commandments of the upright -- Mēmrā eight: On one who gives all he has to feed the poor -- Mēmrā nine: On uprightness and the love of the upright and the prophets -- Mēmrā ten --