Unknown Pilgrims

SR No.: 007014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 820
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

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The Unknown Pilgrims
The nuns of Hippo
In North Africa it has been established that there were certain virgins to whom Tertullian, at the beginning of the IIIrd century, and Cyprian, a little later, addressed their exhortations on the subject of simplicity and modesty in dress, and on the necessity of wearing a
veil.32
In the IVth and Vth centuries mention is made of several monasteries, including that of Hippo, where the widowed sister of St Augustine retired and became the Superior. After her death there seem to have been dispute among the nuns and it was probably for them that Augustine wrote, in the year 423, his rule in a letter containing sixteen points. This rule, which reflects a whole sprirituality, is characterised by paternal benevolence, wisdom, sound common sense, practicality, moderation and respect for personhood. The great saint lays stress on the spirit of charity, peaceableness and magnanimity which must inform the common life; on humility, filial obedience to the Mother of the community, modesty and prayer in common. He urges the nuns to adhere faithfully to his counsels and to persevere in thankfulness in order to avoid being overcome by evil.33
Melanie the Elder, Paula and Eustochium, Melanie the Younger
These ladies of the Roman nobility, attracted by the holy places, came during the latter half of the IVth century or the beginning of the Vth to settle in Palestine where they founded monasteries. From the end of the IIIrd century hermits such as Hilarion and Chariton had been living in the Palestinian desert and among the local Greek population consecrated virgins were not unknown.
Melanie the Elder, who came of a high-ranking Roman family and was widowed while still in her youth, sold all her possessions and
32 Cf. Tertullian: "De cultu feminarum" (Quasten, vol. II, 1964, pp. 294. 296); "De virginibus velandis" (ibid., p. 306); Cyprian: "De habitu virginum" (ibid., pp. 347-348); cf. some interesting reflections on this subject of T. Merton, 1971, pp. 334-342.
33 Cf. Letter 211 (Oeuvres complètes de St Augustin, Guérin ed., 1865) vol.III, pp. 23-28; Boyer, 1936, col. 1126-1130.