Unknown Pilgrims

Author(s): N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi

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The Unknown Pilgrims
numbers increased still more, Pachomius assigned them a spiritual Father, Apa Peter, and through him sent them the book of rules that he had drawn up for the monks in order that they might also follow them.22 This took place in the first half of the IVth century.
Amma Syncletica
While Mary and her companions in their monastery were leading the cenobitic or community life, following the same rules as the monks, there existed also monks and virgins who, withdrawing to the desert or some other solitary place, were devoting themselves to an eremitic life of great austerity. Though there were many more men than women embracing this manner of life, yet those latter were not less fervent than the former, certain ones of their number evidenced an exceptional strength of character, attained a high degree of holiness and were in great demand for their wisdom. They were addressed as Amma, Mother. One of the most ancient Lives that we possess, that of Amma Synclctica, dates from about the middle of the Vth century. Its authorship is not known but the book, a veritable jewel, reflects the spirituality of the cultured milieus of the Egypt and Asia Minor of that time.
Syncletica belonged to a noble Christian family of Macedonia domiciled in Alexandria. Her biographical details are concisely given. The word "syncletos" means "[heavenly] assembly". A woman of great beauty, she refused numerous suitors, for "the divine Spouse alone had favour".23 After the death of her parents she renounced the world and with her blind sister lived in the tomb of one of her forbears, outside the town. She cut her hair and distributed her goods to the poor. Her spiritual progress was very speedy; she was endowed with great fervour and wise discernment. The weapons of her spiritual
22 Cf. Les vies coptes de Pachome (trans. Lefort, 1943) pp.97-98.
23 Vie de sainte Synclétique (trans. Bernard, 1972) p. 5; The following passage draws upon this Life. The existence of this saint has sometimes been queried. However, "in spite of the doubt concerning the existence of St Syncletica, the teachings attributed to her give the impression of being the fruit of experience, whether the personal cxperience of the saint and of her biographer or the common experience of the monastic circles of Egypt synthesised in a truly remarkable manner." (Vic, p. vii).