John Cassian

Common questions

Who was John Cassian?

John Cassian (360–435) — Brought Egyptian monastic spirituality to the Latin West. Author of the Institutes and Conferences; founded monasteries at Marseilles.

Who taught John Cassian?

Evagrius Ponticus and John Chrysostom.

Who did John Cassian oppose?

Prosper of Aquitaine.

Works

• Conferencesc. 425

  Twenty-four conferences with Egyptian desert masters — Benedict required them in the Rule.

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• Institutesc. 425

  Twelve books on monastic life and the eight principal vices — bridge between Egypt and Western monasticism.

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Sources for biography

• Cassian, Collationes primary
• Cassian, De Institutis Coenobiorum primary
• Gennadius, De Viris Illustribus 62 primary

documented connections(2)

• taught by John Chrysostom
  Cassian was ordained deacon by Chrysostom and travelled to Rome to plead his cause.
  Cassian, De Incarnatione 7.31 · Palladius, Dialogus 3
• opposed (incoming) Prosper of Aquitaine
  Prosper's Contra Collatorem refutes Cassian's Conference 13.
  Prosper, Contra Collatorem

tradition connections(1)

• taught by Evagrius Ponticus
  Cassian's Conferences transmit Evagrian monastic doctrine, though Cassian never names him.
  Cassian, Collationes (passim)