CHAPTER 1. Of the Canonical System of the Nocturnal Prayers and Psalms.

Liber Secvndvs: de Canonico Noctvrnarvm Orationvm et Psalmorvm Modo

Girt, therefore, with this twofold girdle of which we have spoken,¹ the soldier of Christ should next learn the system of the canonical prayers and Psalms which was long ago arranged by the holy fathers in the East. Of their character, however, and of the way in which we can pray, as the Apostle directs, “without ceasing,”² we shall treat, as the Lord may enable us, in the proper place, when we begin to relate the Conferences of the Elders.

I. Duplici igitur hoc quo diximus cingulo Christi miles accinctus interim, qui modus canonicarum orationum psalmorumque sit in partibus Orientis a sanctis patribus antiquitus statutus, agnoscat. De qualitate uero earum uel quemadmodum orare secundum Apostoli sententiam sine intermissione possimus, suis in locis, cum seniorum conlationes coeperimus exponere, quantum Dominus donauerit, proferemus.

CHAPTER 2. Of the difference of the number of Psalms appointed to be sung in all the provinces.

De diversitate numeri, qui ad decantandos psalmos per universas provincias sit statutus.

For we have found that many in different countries, according to the fancy of their mind (having, indeed, as the Apostle says, “a zeal, for God but not according to Knowledge”³ , have made for themselves different rules and arrangements in this matter. For some have appointed that each night twenty or thirty Psalms should be said, and that these should be prolonged by the music of antiphonal singing⁴ , and by the addition of some modulations as well. Others have even tried to go beyond this number. Some use eighteen. And in this way we have found different rules appointed in different places, and the system and regulations that we have seen are almost as many in number as the monasteries and cells which we have visited

II. Multos namque per alias conperimus regiones pro captu mentis suae, habentes quidem ut ait Apostolus zelum Dei, sed non secundum scientiam, super hac re diuersos typos ac regulas sibimet constituisse. Quidam enim uicenos seu tricenos psalmos et hos ipsos antiphonarum protelatos melodiis et adiunctione quarundam modulationum debere dici singulis noctibus censuerunt, alii etiam hunc modum excedere temptauerunt, nonnulli decem et octo. Atque in hunc modum diuersis in locis diuersum canonem cognouimus institutum totque propemodum typos ac regulas uidimus usurpatas, quot etiam monasteria cellasque conspeximus.

. There are some, too, to whom it has seemed good that in the day offices of prayer, viz., Tierce, Sext, and Nones,⁵ the number of Psalms and prayers should be made to correspond exactly to the number of the hours at which the services are offered up to the Lord.⁶ Some have thought fit that six Psalms should be assigned to each service of the day. And so I think it best to set forth the most ancient system of the fathers which is still observed by the servants of God throughout the whole of Egypt, so that your new monastery in its untrained infancy in Christ⁷ may be instructed in the most ancient institutions of the earliest fathers.

 2. Sunt quibus in ipsis quoque diurnis orationum officiis, id est tertia, sexta nonaque id uisum est, ut secundum horarum modum, in quibus haec Deo redduntur obsequia, psalmorum etiam et orationum putarent numerum coaequandum : nonnullis placuit senarium numerum singulis diei conuentibus deputari. Quapropter necessarium reor antiquissimam patrum proferre in medium constitutionem, quae nunc usque per totam Aegyptum a Dei famulis custoditur, quo nouelli monasterii in Christo rudis infantia antiquissimorum potius patrum uetustissimis institutionibus inbuatur.

CHAPTER 3. Of the observance of one uniform rule throughout the whole of Egypt, and of the election of those who are set over the brethren.

De uniformis regulae per totam Aegyptum custodia, et de electione eorum qui fratribus praeponuntur.

And so throughout the whole of Egypt and the Thebaid, where monasteries are not rounded at the fancy of every man who renounces the world, but through a succession of fathers and their traditions last even to the present day, or are rounded so to last, in these we have noticed that a prescribed system of prayers is observed in their evening assemblies and nocturnal vigils. For no one is allowed to preside over the assembly of the brethren, or even over himself, before he has not only deprived himself of all his property but has also learnt the fact that he is not his own maker and has no authority over his own actions.

III. Itaque per uniuersam Aegyptum et Thebaidem, ubi monasteria non pro uniuscuiusque renuntiantis instituuntur arbitrio, sed per successiones ac traditiones maiorum usque in hodiernum diem uel permanent uel mansura fundantur, legitimum orationum modum in uespertinis conuentibus seu nocturnis uigiliis uidimus retentari. Non enim quisquam conuenticulo fratrum, sed ne sibi quidem ipsi praeesse conceditur, priusquam non solum uniuersis facultatibus suis reddatur externus, sed ne sui quidem ipsius esse se dominum uel potestatem habere cognoscat.

For one who renounces the world, whatever property or riches he may possess, must seek the common dwelling of a Coenobium, that he may not flatter himself in any way with what he has forsaken or what he has brought into the monastery. He must also be obedient to all, so as to learn that he must, as the Lord says,⁸ become again a little child, arrogating nothing to himself on the score of his age and the number of the years which he now counts as lost while they were spent to no purpose in the world and, as he is only a beginner, and because of the novelty of the apprenticeship, which he knows he is serving in Christ’s service, he should not hesitate to submit himself even to his juniors.

 2. Ita namque renuntiantem huic mundo quibuslibet facultatibus ac diuitiis praeditum necesse est coenobii commorationem expetere, ut in nullo sibi ex his quae reliquit aut intulit monasterio blandiatur, sic oboedire cunctis, ut redeundum sibi secundum sententiam Domini ad infantiam pristinam nouerit, nihil sibi consideratione aeui uel annorum numerositate praesumens, quam in saeculo inaniter consumptam se reputat perdidisse, sed pro rudimentorum merito et tirocinii nouitate, quam se gerere in Christi militia recognoscit, subdere se etiam iunioribus non moretur.

Further, he is obliged to habituate himself to work and toil, so as to prepare with his own hands; in accordance with the Apostle’s command,⁹ daily supply of food, either for his own use or for the wants of strangers; and that he may also forget the pride and luxury of his past life, and gain by grinding toil humility of heart. And so no one is chosen to be set over a congregation of brethren before that he who is to be placed in authority has learnt by obedience what he ought to enjoin on those who are to submit to him, and has discovered from the rules of the Elders what he ought to teach to his juniors.

 3. Operis quoque ac sudoris adsuetudinem ita subire conpellitur, ut propriis manibus iuxta Apostoli praeceptum cotidianum uictum uel suis usibus uel aduenientum necessitatibus parans et fastus uitae praeteritae possit et delicias obliuisci et humilitatem cordis contritione laboris adquirere. Ideoque nullus congregationi fratrum praefuturus eligitur, priusquam idem, qui praeficiendus est, quid obtemperaturis oporteat imperari, oboediendo didicerit, et quid iunioribus tradere debeat, institutis seniorum fuerit adsecutus.

For they. say that to rule or to be ruled well needs a wise man, and they call it the greatest gift and grace of the Holy Spirit, since no one can enjoin salutary precepts on those who submit to him but one who has previously been trained in all the rules of virtue; nor can any one obey an Elder but one who has been filled with the love of God and perfected in the virtue of humility.

 4. Bene enim regere uel regi sapientis esse pronuntiant summumque donum et gratiam sancti Spiritus esse definiunt. Nam neque salutaria praecepta quempiam posse obtemperantibus praestituere nisi eum, qui prius uniuersis uirtutum disciplinis fuerit instructus, nec oboedire quemquam seniori posse nisi eum, qui consummatus timore Dei et humilitatis fuerit uirtute perfectus.

And so we see that there is a variety of rules and regulations in use throughout other districts, because we often have the audacity to preside over a monastery without even having learnt the system of the Elders, and appoint ourselves Abbots before we have, as we ought, professed ourselves disciples, and are readier to require the observance of our own inventions than to preserve the well-tried teaching of our predecessors. But, while we meant to explain the best system of prayers to be observed, we have in our eagerness for the institutions of the fathers anticipated by a hasty digression the account which we were keeping back for its proper place. And so let us now return to the subject before us.

 5. Ideoque diuersitates typorum ac regularum per ceteras prouincias cernimus usurpatas, quod plerumque seniorum institutionis expertes monasteriis praeese audemus et abbates nos ante quam discipulos professi quod libitum fuerit statuimus, promptiores nostrorum inuentorum exigere custodiam quam examinatam maiorum seruare doctrinam. Sed dum orationum modum, qui potissimum debeat custodiri, uolumus explicare, institutis patrum auidius prouocati narrationem, quam suis reseruabamus locis, praepropero excessu praeuenimus. Nunc itaque ad propositum reuertamur.

CHAPTER 4. How throughout the whole of Egypt and the Thebaid the number of Psalms is fixed at twelve.

Quod per universam Aegyptum et Thebaidem duodenarius psalmorum numerus observetur

So, as we said, throughout the whole of Egypt and the Thebaid the number of Psalms is fixed at twelve both at Vespers and in the office of Nocturns,¹⁰ in such a way that at the close two lessons follow, one from the Old and the other from the New Testament.¹¹ And this arrangement, fixed ever so long ago, has continued unbroken to the present day throughout so many ages, in all the monasteries of those districts, because it is said that it was no appointment of man’s invention, but was brought down from heaven to the fathers by the ministry of an angel.

IIII. Igitur per uniuersam ut diximus Aegyptum et Thebaidem duodenarius psalmorum numerus tam in uespertinis quam in nocturnis sollemnitatibus custoditur, ita dumtaxat ut post hunc duae lectiones, ueteris scilicet ac noui testamenti singulae, subsequantur. Qui modus antiquitus constitutus idcirco per tot saecula penes cuncta illarum prouinciarum monasteria intemeratus nunc usque perdurat, quia non humana adinuentione statutus a senioribus adfirmatur, sed caelitus angeli magisterio patribus fuisse delatus.

CHAPTER 5 How the fact that the number of the Psalms was to be twelve was received from the teaching of an angel.

De duodenario psalmorum numero Angeli traditione suscepto.

For in the early days of the faith when only a few, and those the best of men, were known by the name of monks, who, as they received that mode of life from the Evangelist Mark of blessed memory, the first to preside over the Church of Alexandria as Bishop, not only preserved those grand characteristics for which we read, in the Acts of the Apostles, that the Church and multitude of believers in primitive times was famous (“The multitude of believers had one heart and one soul. Nor did any of them say that any of the things which he possessed was his own: but they had all things common; for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the price of the things which they sold, and laid it at the feet of the Apostles, and distribution was made to every man as he had need”),¹² but they added to these characteristics others still more sublime.

V. Nam cum in primordiis fidei pauci quidem sed probatissimi monachorum nomine censerentur, qui sicut a beatae memoriae euangelista Marco, qui primus alexandrinae urbi pontifex praefuit, normam suscepere uiuendi, non solum illa magnifica retinebant, quae primitus ecclesiam uel credentium turbas in Actibus apostolorum legimus celebrasse - Multitudinis scilicet credentium erat cor et anima una, nec quisquam eorum quae possidebat aliquid suum esse dicebat, sed erant illis omnia communia. Quotquot enim possessores agrorum aut domorum erant, uendentes adferebant pretia eorum quae uendebant et ponebant ante pedes apostolorum : diuidebatur autem singulis prout cuique opus erat , uerum etiam his multo sublimiora cumulauerant.

For withdrawing into more secluded spots outside the cities they led a life marked by such rigorous abstinence that even to those of another creed the exalted character of their life was a standing marvel. For they gave themselves up to the reading of Holy Scripture and to prayers and to manual labour night and day with such fervour that they had no desire or thoughts of food—unless on the second or third day bodily hunger¹³ reminded them, and they took their meat and drink not so much because they wished for it as because it was necessary for life; and even then they took it not before sunset, in order that they might connect the hours of daylight with the practice of spiritual meditations, and the care of the body with the night, and might perform other things much more exalted than these.

 2. Etenim secedentes in secretiora suburbiorum loca agebant uitam tanto abstinentiae rigore districtam, ut etiam his, qui erant religionis externi, stupori esset tam ardua conuersationis eorum professio. Eo enim feruore diuinarum scripturarum lectionibus orationique et operi manuum diebus ac noctibus incubabant, ut ne escarum quidem adpetitus uel memoria, nisi alio tertioue die corporis interpellaret inedia, cibumque ac potum non tam desideratum quam necessarium sumerent et ne hunc quidem ante solis occasum, ut tempus lucis cum spiritalium meditationum studiis, curam uero corporis cum nocte sociarent aliaque his multo sublimiora perficerent.

And about these matters, one who has never heard anything from one who is at home in such things, may learn from ecclesiastical history.¹⁴ At that time, therefore, when the perfection of the primitive Church remained unbroken, and was still preserved fresh in the memory by their followers and successors, and when the fervent faith of the few had not yet grown lukewarm by being dispersed among the many, the venerable fathers with watchful care made provision for those to come after them, and met together to discuss what plan should be adopted for the daily worship throughout the whole body of the brethren; that they might hand on to those who should succeed them a legacy of piety and peace that was free from all dispute and dissension, for they were afraid that in regard of the daily services some difference or dispute might arise among those who joined together in the same worship, and at some time or other it might send forth a poisonous root of error or jealousy or schism among those who came after.

 3. De quibus etiam is, qui minus indigenarum relatione cognouit, ecclesiastica historia poterit edoceri. Ea igitur tempestate, cum ecclesiae illius primitiuae perfectio penes successores suos adhuc recenti memoria inuiolata duraret feruensque paucorum fides necdum in multitudinem dispersa tepuisset, uenerabiles patres peruigili cura posteris consulentes, quinam modus cotidiano cultui per uniuersum fraternitatis corpus decerni deberet, tractaturi conueniunt, ut hereditatem pietatis ac pacis etiam successoribus suis absolutam ab omni dissensionis lite transmitterent, uerentes scilicet ne qua in cotidianis sollemnitatibus inter uiros eiusdem culturae consortes dissonantia uel uarietas exorta quandoque in posterum erroris uel aemulationis seu schismatis noxii germen emitteret.

And when each man in proportion to his own fervour—and unmindful of the weakness of others—thought that that should be appointed which he judged was quite easy by considering his own faith and strength, taking too little account of what would be possible for the great mass of the brethren in general (wherein a very large proportion of weak ones is sure to be found); andwhen in different degrees they strove, each according to his own powers, to fix an enormous number of Psalms, and some were for fifty, others sixty, and some, not content with this number, thought that they actually ought to go beyond it,—there was such a holy difference of opinion in their pious discussion on the rule of their religion that the time for their Vesper office came before the sacred question was decided; and, as they were going to celebrate their daily rites and prayers, one roseup in the midst to chant the Psalms to the Lord

 4. Cumque pro suo unusquisque feruore infirmitatis inmemor alienae id statui debere censeret, quod contemplatione fidei ac roboris sui facillimum iudicabat, parum discutiens quid generaliter plenitudini fratrum possibile esset, in qua necesse est infirmorum quoque partem maximam repperiri, diuersoque modo enormem psalmorum numerum instituere pro animi sui uirtute certarent, et alii quinquagenos, alii sexagenos psalmos, nonnulli uero ne hoc quidem numero contenti excedi eum debere censerent essetque inter eos pro religionis regula piae contentionis sancta diuersitas, ita ut tempus sollemnitatis uespertinae sacratissimae succederet quaestioni, cotidianos orationum ritus uolentibus celebrare unus in medium psalmos Domino cantaturus exsurgit.

. And while they were all sitting (as is still the custom in Egypt¹⁵ ), with their minds intently fixed on the words of the chanter, when he had sung eleven Psalms, separated by prayers introduced between them, verse after verse being evenly enunciated,¹⁶ he finished the twelfth with a response of Alleluia,¹⁷ and then, by his sudden disappearance from the eyes of all, put an end at once to their discussion and their service.¹⁸

 5. Cumque sedentibus cunctis, ut est moris nunc usque in Aegypti partibus, et in psallentis uerba omni cordis intentione defixis undecim psalmos orationum interiectione distinctos contiguis uersibus parili pronuntiatione cantasset, duodecimum sub alleluiae responsione consummans ab uniuersorum oculis repente subtractus quaestioni pariter et caerimoniis finem inposuit.

CHAPTER 6.Of the Custom of having Twelve Prayers.

CAPUT VI. De consuetudine duodecim Orationum.

Whereupon the venerable assembly of the Fathers understood that by Divine Providence a general rule had been fixed for the congregations of the brethren through the angel’s direction, and so decreed that this number should be preserved both in their evening and in their nocturnal services; and when they added to these two lessons, one from the Old and one from the New Testament, they added them simply as extras and of their own appointment, only for those who liked, and who were eager to gain by constant study a mind well stored with Holy Scripture. But on Saturday and Sunday they read them both from the New Testament; viz., one from the Epistles¹⁹ or the Acts of the Apostles, and one from the Gospel.²⁰ And this also those do whose concern is the reading and the recollection of the Scriptures, from Easter to Whitsuntide.²¹

                VI. Exhinc uenerabilis patrum senatus, intellegens angeli magisterio congregationibus fratrum generalem canonem non sine dispensatione Domini constitutum, decreuit hunc numerum tam in uespertinis quam in nocturnis conuenticulis custodiri. Quibus lectiones geminas adiungentes, id est unam ueteris et aliam noui testamenti, tamquam a se eas traditas et uelut extraordinarias uolentibus tantum ac diuinarum scripturarum memoriam possidere adsidua meditatione studentibus addiderunt. In die uero sabbati uel dominico utrasque de nouo recitant testamento, id est unam de Apostolo uel Actibus apostolorum et aliam de Euangeliis. Quod etiam totis Quinquagensimae diebus faciunt hi, quibus lectio curae est seu memoria scripturarum.

CHAPTER 7 Of their Method of Praying.

CAPUT VII. De disciplina orandi.

These aforesaid prayers, then, they begin and finish in such a way that when the Psalm is ended they do not hurry at once to kneel down, as some of us do in this country, who, before the Psalm is fairly ended, make haste to prostrate themselves for prayer, in their hurry to finish the service²² as quickly as possible. For though we have chosen to exceed the limit which was anciently fixed by our predecessors, supplying the number of the remaining Psalms, we are anxious to get to the end of the service, thinking of the refreshment of the wearied body rather than looking for profit and benefit from the prayer.

VII. Has igitur praedictas orationes hoc modo incipiunt atque consummant, ut finito psalmo non statim ad incuruationem genuum conruant, quemadmodum facimus in hac regione nonnulli, qui necdum bene finito psalmo in orationem procumbere festinamus, ad celeritatem missae quantocius properantes. Cuius dum uolumus excedere modum, qui antiquitus a maioribus statutus est, subputantes residuorum psalmorum numerum ad finem tendere perurguemur, de refectione potius lassi corporis cogitantes quam orationis utilitatem et commoda requirentes.

Among them, therefore, it is not so, but before they bend their knees they pray for a few moments, and while they are standing up spend the greater part of the time in prayer. And so after this, for the briefest space of time, they prostrate themselves to the ground, as if but adoring the Divine Mercy, and as soon as possible rise up, and again standing erect with outspread hands—just as they had been standing to pray before—remain with thoughts intent upon their prayers. For when you lie prostrate for any length of time upon the ground you are more open to an attack, they say, not only of wandering thoughts but also slumber.

 2. Apud illos ergo non ita est, sed antequam flectant genua, paulisper orant et stantes in supplicatione maiorem temporis partem expendunt. Itaque post haec puncto breuissimo procidentes humi, uelut adorantes tantum diuinam clementiam, summa uelocitate consurgunt ac rursus erecti expansis manibus eodem modo, quo prius stantes orauerant, suis precibus inmorantur. Humi namque diutius procumbentem non solum cogitationibus aiunt uerum etiam sommo grauius inpugnari.

And would that we too did not know the truth of this by experience and daily practice—we who when prostrating ourselves on the ground too often wish for this attitude to be prolonged for some time, not for the sake of our prayer so much as for the sake of resting. But when he who is to “collect” the prayer²³ rises from the ground they all start up at once, so that no one would venture to bend the knee before he bows down, nor to delay when he has risen from the ground, lest it should be thought that he has offered his own prayer independently instead of following the leader to the close.

 3. Quod etiam nos uerum esse utinam non experimentis et cotidiana consuetudine nosceremus, qui saepenumero hanc eandem incuruationem membrorum non tam orationis quam refectionis obtentu in terram prostrati optamus diutius prolongari. Cum autem is, qui orationem collecturus est, e terra surrexerit, omnes pariter eriguntur, ita ut nullus nec antequam inclinetur ille genu flectere nec cum e terra surrexerit remorari praesumat, ne non tam secutus fuisse illius conclusionem, qui precem colligit, quam suam celebrasse credatur.

CHAPTER 8 Of the Prayer which follows the Psalm.

CAPUT VIII. De subsequente oratione post psalmum.

That practice too which we have observed in this country—viz., that while one sings. to the end of the Psalm, all standing up stag together with a loud voice, “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost” —we have never heard anywhere throughout “the East, but there, while all keep silence whenthe Psalm is finished, the prayer that follows is offered up by the singer. But with this hymn in honour of the Trinity only the whole Psalmody²⁴ is usually ended.²⁵

VIII. Illud etiam quod in hac prouincia uidimus, ut uno cantante in clausula psalmi omnes adstantes concinant cum clamore 'gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui sancto', nusquam per omnem Orientem audiuimus, sed cum omnium silentio ab eo, qui cantat, finito psalmo orationem succedere, hac uero glorificatione Trinitatis tantummodo solere antiphona terminari.

CHAPTER 9.Of the characteristics of the prayer, the fuller treatment of which is reserved for the Conferences of the Elders.

CAPUT IX. De qualitate orationum.

And as the plan of these Institutes leads us to the system of the canonical prayers, the fuller treatment of which we will however reserve for the Conferences of the Elders (where we shall speak of them at greater length when we have begun to tell in their own words of the character of their prayers, and how continuous they are), still I think it well, as far as the place and my narrative permit, as the occasion offers itself, to glance briefly for the present at a few points, so that by picturing in the meanwhile the movements of the outer man, and by now laying the foundations, as it were, of the prayer, we may afterwards, when we come to speak of the inner man, with less labour build up the complete edifice of his prayers;

VIIII. Et quia nos ad orationum canonicarum modum consequenter institutorum ordo prouexit, quarum pleniorem tractatum licet in conlationes seniorum reseruemus ibidem plenius digesturi, cum de earum qualitate seu iugitate uerbis eorum disserere coeperimus, necessarium tamen reor pro oportunitate loci ac narrationis ipsius, quoniam ita obtulit sese occasio, etiam in praesenti pauca praestringere, ut formantes interim exterioris hominis motus et uelut quaedam nunc orationis fundamenta iacientes minore post haec labore, cum coeperimus de statu interioris hominis disputare, orationum quoque eius fastigia construamus :

providing, above all for this, that if the end of life should overtake us and cut us off from finishing the narration which we are anxious (D.V.) fitly to compose, we may at least leave in this work the beginnings ofso necessary a matter to you, to whom everything seems a delay, by reason of the fervour of your desire: so that, if a few more years of life are granted to us, we may at least mark out for you some outlines of their prayers, that those above all who live in monasteries may have some information about them;

 2. illud ante omnia prouidentes, ut, si nos ab illa narratione, quam cupimus oportune Deo uolente digerere, praeueniens uitae nostrae finis excluserit, uel initia uobis rei praesertim tam necessariae hoc opere relinquamus, quibus pro ardore desiderii totum tardum est, ut, dum nobis huius commorationis tribuuntur indutiae, saltim quasdam tantisper orationum lineas praesignemus, quibus hi uel maxime, qui in coenobiis commorantur, ualeant aliquatenus informari :

providing also, at the same time, that those who perhaps may meet only with this book, and be unable to procure the other, may find that they are supplied with some sort of information about the nature of their prayers; and as they are instructed about the dress and clothing of the outer man, so too they may not be ignorant what his behaviour ought to be in offering spiritual sacrifices. Since, though these books, which we are now arranging with the Lord’s help to write, are mainly taken up with what belongs to the outer man and the customs of the Coenobia, yet those will rather be concerned with the training of the inner man and the perfection of the heart, and the life and doctrine of the Anchorites.

 3. simul etiam prospicientes his, qui forsitan huic tantummodo occursuri libro ad illum peruenire non poterunt, ut instructione huius erga orationis qualitatem uel ex parte repperiantur inbuti, et quemadmodum sunt de habitu et amictu exterioris hominis instituti, ita etiam, qualiter eum ad offerenda spiritalia sacrificia debeant exhibere, non nesciant. Siquidem hi libelli, quos in praesenti cudere Domino adiuuante disponimus, ad exterioris hominis obseruantiam et institutionem coenobiorum conpetentius aptabuntur, illi uero ad disciplinam interioris ac perfectionem cordis et anachoretarum uitam atque doctrinam potius pertinebunt.

CHAPTER 10. Of the silence and conciseness with which the Collects areoffered up by the Egyptians.

CAPUT X. Quanto silentio et brevitate orationes apud Aegyptios colligantur.

 When, then, they meet together to celebrate the aforementioned rites, which they term synaxes,²⁶ they are all so perfectly silent that, though so large a number of the brethren is assembled together, you would not think a single person was present except the one who stands up and chants the Psalm in the midst; and especially is this the case when the prayer is offered up,²⁷ for then there is no spitting, no clearing of the throat, or noise of coughing, no sleepy yawning with open mouths, and gaping, and no groans or sighs are uttered, likely to distract those standing near. No voice is beard save that of the priest concluding the prayer, except perhaps one that escapes the lips through aberration of mind and unconsciously takes the heart by surprise, inflamed as it is with an uncontrollable and irrepressible fervour of spirit, while that which the glowing mind is unable to keep to itself strives through a sort of unutterable groaning to make its escape from the inmost chambers of the breast. But if any one infected with coldness of mind prays out loud or emits any of those sounds we have mentioned, or is overcome by a fit of yawning, they declare that he is guilty of a double fault.

X. Cum igitur praedictas sollemnitates, quas illi synaxis uocant, celebraturi conueniunt, tantum praebetur a cunctis silentium, ut, cum in unum tam numerosa fratrum multitudo conueniat, praeter illum, qui consurgens psalmum decantat in medio, nullus hominum penitus adesse credatur, ac praecipue cum consummatur oratio : in qua non sputus emittitur, non excreatio obstrepit, non tussis intersonat, non oscitatio somnolenta dissutis malis et hiantibus trahitur, nulli gemitus, nulla suspiria etiam adstantes inpeditura promuntur, non ulla uox absque sacerdotis precem concludentis auditur nisi forte haec, per excessum mentis claustra oris effugerit quaeque insensibiliter cordi obrepserit, inmoderato scilicet atque intolerabili spiritus feruore succenso, dum ea, quae ignita mens in semet ipsa non praeualet continere, per ineffabilem quendam gemitum ex intimis pectoris sui conclauibus euaporare conatur.

He is blameworthy, first, as regards his own prayer because he offers it to God in a careless way; and, secondly, because by his unmannerly noise he disturbs the thoughts of another who would otherwise perhaps have been able to pray with greater attention. And so their rule is that the prayer ought to be brought to an end with a speedy conclusion, lest while we are lingering over it some superfluity of spittle or phlegm should interfere with the close of our prayer.

 2. Illum uero, qui constitutus in tepore mentis cum clamore supplicat aut aliquid horum quae praediximus e faucibus suis emittit ac praecipue oscitationibus praeuenitur, dupliciter peccare pronuntiant, primo quod orationis suae reus sit, quod eam uidelicet neglegenter offerat, secundo quod indisciplinato strepitu alterius quoque, qui forsitan intentius orare potuit, intercipit sensum. Ideoque praecipiunt eam celeri fine concludi, ne forte inmorantibus nobis in ea redundantia quaedam sputi seu flegmatis interrumpat nostrae orationis excessum.

And, therefore, while it is still glowing the prayer is to be snatched as speedily as possible out of the jaws of the enemy, who, although he is indeed always hostile to us, is yet never more hostile than when he sees that we are anxious to offer up prayers to God against his attacks; and by exciting wandering thoughts and all sorts of rheums he endeavours to distract our minds from attending to our prayers, and by this means tries to make it grow cold, though begun with fervour. Wherefore they think it best for the prayers to be short and offered up very frequently: [3] on the one hand that by so often praying to the Lord we may be able to cleave to Him continually; on the other, that when the devil is lying in wait for us, we may by their terse brevity avoid the darts with which he endeavours to wound us especially when we are saying our prayers.

 3. Et idcirco dum adhuc feruet uelut e faucibus inimici uelociter rapienda est, qui procul dubio, cum sit nobis semper infestus, tunc maxime adsistit infestior, cum contra se offerre nos preces Domino uelle peruiderit, cogitationibus seu diuersis umoribus excitatis abducere mentem nostram a supplicationis intentione festinans et per hoc eam tepefacere a coepto feruore contendens. Quamobrem utilius censent breues quidem orationes sed creberrimas fieri : illud quidem ut frequentius Deum deprecantes iugiter eidem cohaerere possimus, hoc uero ut insidiantis diaboli iacula, quae infligere nobis tunc praecipue cum oramus insistit, succincta breuitate uitemus.

CHAPTER 11. Of the system according to which the Psalms are said among the Egyptians.

CAPUT XI. Qua disciplina apud Aegyptios psalmi dicantur.

And, therefore, they do not even attempt to finish the Psalms, which they sing in the service, by an unbroken and continuous recitation. But they repeat them separately and bit by bit, divided into two or three sections, according to the number of verses, with prayers in between.²⁹ For they do not care about the quantity of verses, but about the intelligence of the mind; aiming with all their might at this: “I will sing with the spirit: I will sing also with the understanding.”³⁰

XI. Et idcirco ne psalmos quidem ipsos, quos in congregatione decantant, continuata student pronuntiatione concludere, sed eos pro numero uersuum duabus uel tribus intercisionibus cum orationum interiectione diuisos distinctim particulatimque consummant. Non enim multitudine uersuum, sed mentis intellegentia delectantur, illud tota uirtute sectantes : Psallam spiritu, psallam et mente.

And so they consider it better for ten verses to be sung with understanding and thought³¹ than for a whole Psalm to be poured forth with a bewildered mind. And this is sometimes caused by the hurry of the speaker, when, thinking of the character and number of the remaining Psalms to be sung, he takes no pains to make the meaning clear to his hearers, but hastens on to get to the end of the service. Lastly, if any of the younger monks, either through fervour of spirit or because he has not yet been properly taught, goes beyond the proper limit of what is to be sung, the one who is singing the Psalm is stopped by the senior clapping his hands where he sits in his stall, and making them all rise for prayer. Thus they take every possible care that no weariness may creep in among them as they sit through the length of the Psalms, as thereby not only would the singer himself lose the fruits of understanding, but also loss would be incurred by those whom he made to feel the service a weariness by going on so long.

 2. Ideoque utilius habent decem uersus cum rationabili adsignatione cantari, quam totum psalmum cum confusione mentis effundi, quae nonnumquam pronuntiantis festinatione generatur, dum residuorum psalmorum qui decantandi sunt modum numerumque considerans non distinctionem sensuum audientibus studet pandere, sed ad finem synaxeos properat peruenire. Denique si quispiam iuniorum uel pro feruore spiritus uel pro eo quod necdum institutus est coeperit modum decantationis excedere, psallentis progressio senioris interciditur plausu, quem dans manu sua in sedili quod sedet cunctos facit ad orationem consurgere, illud omnimodis prouidens, ne quod taedium sedentibus generetur prolixitate psalmorum, qua is qui decantat non modo per se ipsum intellegentiae fructum amittat, sed etiam per illos incidat detrimentum, quos fastidium synaxeos nimietate sua fecit incurrere.

They also observe this with the greatest care; viz., that no Psalm should be said with the response of Alleluia except those which are marked with the inscription of Alleluia in their title.³² But the aforesaid number of twelve Psalms they divide in such a way that. if there are two brethren they each sing six; if there are three, then four; and if four, three each. A smaller number than this they never sing in the congregation, and accordingly, however large a congregation is assembled, not more than four brethren sing in the service.³³

 3. Illud quoque apud eos omni obseruantia custoditur, ut in responsione alleluiae nullus dicatur psalmus nisi is, qui in titulo suo alleluiae inscriptione praenotatur. Praedictum uero duodenarium psalmorum numerum ita diuidunt, ut, si duo fuerint fratres, senos psallant, si tres, quaternos, si quattuor, ternos. Quo numero numquam minus in congregatione decantant, ac perinde, quantalibet multitudo conuenerit, numquam amplius psallunt in synaxi quam quattuor fratres.

CHAPTER 12. Of the reason why while one sings the Psalms the rest sit down during the service; and of the zeal with which they afterwards prolong their vigils in their cells till daybreak.

CAPUT XII. Cur uno psallente, caeteri in synaxi sedeant, vel quali post hoc studio per cellulas suas usque ad lucem vigilias extendant.

This canonical system of twelve Psalms, of which we have spoken, they render easier by such bodily rest that when, after their custom, they celebrate these services, they all, except the one who stands up in the midst to recite the Psalms, sit in very low stalls and follow the voice of the singer with the utmost attention of heart. For they are so worn out with fasting and working all day and night that, unless they were. helped by some such indulgence, they could not possibly get through this number standing up.

XII. Hunc sane canonicum quem praediximus duodenarium psalmorum numerum tali corporis quiete releuant, ut has easdem congregationum sollemnitates ex more celebrantes absque eo, qui dicturus in medium psalmos surrexerit, cuncti sedilibus humillimis insidentes a uoce psallentis omni cordis intentione dependeant. Ita namque ieiuniis et operatione totius diei noctisque lassescunt, ut, nisi huiuscemodi refectione adiuuentur, ne hunc quidem numerum stantes explere praeualeant.

For they allow no time to pass idly without the performance of some work, because not only do they strive with all earnestness to do with their hands those things which can be done in daylight, but also with anxious minds they examine into those sorts of work which not even the darkness of night can put a stop to, as they hold that they will gain a far deeper insight into subjects of spiritual contemplation With purity of heart, the more earnestly that they devote themselves to work and labour. And therefore they consider that a moderate allowance of canonical prayers was divinely arranged in order that for thosewho are very ardent in faith room might be left in which their never-tiring flow of virtue might spend itself, and notwithstanding no loathing arise in their wearied and weak bodies from too large a quantity.

 2. Nullum etenim tempus ab operis exercitatione uacuum transire concedunt, quia non solum ea, quae diei splendor admittit, omni instantia manibus exercere contendunt, sed etiam illa operationum genera sollicita mente perquirunt, quae ne ipsius quidem noctis densissimae tenebrae ualeant inpedire, credentes se tanto sublimiorem spiritalium contemplationum puritate mentis intuitum quaesituros, quanto deuotius fuerint erga operis studium ac laboris intenti. Et idcirco mediocrem canonicarum orationum numerum iudicant diuinitus moderatum, ut ardentioribus fide spatium, quo se uirtutis eorum infatigabilis cursus extenderet, seruaretur, et nihilominus fessis aegrisque corporibus minime gigneretur de nimietate fastidium.

And so, when the offices of the canonical prayers have been duly finished, every one returns to his own cell (which he inhabits alone, or is allowed to share with only one other whom partnership in work or training in discipleship and learning has joined with him, or perhaps similarity of character has made his companion), and again they offer with greater earnestness the same service of prayer, as their special private sacrifice, as it were; nor do any of them give themselves up any further to rest and sleep till when the brightness of day comes on the labours of the day succeed the labours and meditations of the night.

 3. Ideoque cum fuerint orationum canonicarum functiones ex more finitae, unusquisque ad suam recurrens cellulam, quam aut solus aut cum alio tantum inhibitare permittitur, quem scilicet societas operationis uel discipulatus et disciplinae inbutio copulauit uel certe quem similitudo uirtutum conparem fecit, idem rursus orationum officium uelut peculiare sacrificium studiosius celebrant nec ulterius quisquam eorum in requiem somni resoluitur, donec superueniente diei splendore nocturno operi ac meditationi operatio diurna succedat.

CHAPTER 13. The reason why they are not allowed to go to sleep after the night service.³⁴

CAPUT XIII. Quare post missam nocturnam dormire non oporteat.

And these labours they keep up for two reasons, besides this consideration,—that they believe that when they are diligently exerting themselves they are offering to God a sacrifice of the fruit of their hands. And, if we are aiming at perfection; we also ought to observe this with the same diligence. First, lest our envious adversary, jealous of our purity against which he is always plotting, and ceaselessly hostile to us, should by some illusion in a dream pollute the purity which has been gained by the Psalms and prayers of the night:

XIII. Quem laborem praeter illam rationem, qua tota industria adnitentes sacrificium Deo de fructu manuum suarum offerre se credunt, duabus ex causis cum omni obseruatione custodiunt. Quod nos quoque, si perfectioni studemus, eadem diligentia conuenit obseruare. Prima, ne forte purificationem nostram nocturnis psalmis et orationibus adquisitam inuidus inimicus liuens puritari nostrae, cui maxime semper insidiatur et indesinenter infestus est, quadam somni inlusione contaminet.

for after that satisfaction which we have offered for our negligence and ignorance, and the absolution implored with profuse sighs in our confession, he anxiously tries, if he finds some time given to repose, to defile us; then above all endeavouring to overthrow and weaken our trust in God when he sees by the purity of our prayers that we are making most fervent efforts towards God: so that sometimes, when he has been unable to injure some the whole night long, he does his utmost to disgrace them in that short hour.

 2.Qui post illam satisfactionem, quam pro neglegentiis seu ignorationibus nostris obtulimus, et confessionis nostrae ueniam profusis gemitibus inploratam sollicitius nos, si tempus quietis inuenerit, maculare festinat, tunc praecipue fiduciam nostram deicere atque eneruare contendens, cum feruentius nos ad Deum tendere orationum nostrarum puritate peruiderit, ita ut nonnumquam, quos per totum noctis spatium sauciare non potuit, sub illius horae breuissimo tempore dehonestare conetur.

Secondly, because, even if no such dreaded illusion of the devil arises, even a pure sleep in the interval produces laziness in the case of the monk who ought soon to wake up; and, bringing on a sluggish torpor in the mind, it dulls his vigour throughout the whole day, and deadensthat keenness of perception and exhausts that energy³⁵ of heart which would be capable of keeping us all day long more watchful against all the snares of the enemy and more robust. Wherefore to the Canonical Vigils them are added these private watchings, and they submit to them with the greater care, both in order that the purity which has been gained by Psalms and prayers may not be lost, and also that a more intense carefulness to guard us diligently through the day may be secured beforehand by the meditation of the night.

 3. Secunda uero, quod, tametsi nulla talis ueranda diaboli emergat inlusio, intercedens etiam purus sopor inertiam monacho mox euigilaturo parturiat segnemque torporem inferens menti per totum diei spatium uigorem eius obtundat, illamque hebetet perspicaciam sensus et pinguedinem cordis exhauriat, quae nos possit per totum diem aduersus omnes insidias inimici cautiores robustioresque seruare. Quamobrem canonicis uigiliis priuatae ab eis subiunguntur excubiae ac maiore illis obseruatione succedunt, ut et illa purificatio, quae psalmis est orationibus adquisita, non pereat, et intentior sollicitudo diligentius nos per diem custoditura praeparetur meditatione nocturna.

CHAPTER 14. Of the way in which they devote themselves in their cells equally to manual labour and to prayer.

CAPUT XIV. Quemadmodum in cellulis suis opus manuum et orationes pariter exerceant.

And therefore they supplement their prayer by the addition of labour, lest slumber might steal upon them as idlers. For as they scarcely enjoy any time of leisure, so there is no limit put to their spiritual meditations. For practising equally the virtues of the body and of the soul, they balance what is due to the outer by what is profitable to the inner man³⁶ steadying the slippery motions of the heart and the shifting fluctuations of the thoughts by the weight of labour, like some strong and immoveable anchor, by which the changeableness and wanderings of the heart, fastened within the barriers of the cell, may be shut up in some perfectly secure harbour, and so, intent only on spiritual meditation and watchfulness over the thoughts, may not only forbid the watchful mind to give a hasty consent to any evil suggestions, but may also keep it safe from any unnecessary and idle thoughts: so that it is not easy to say which depends on the other—I mean, whether they practise their incessant manual labour for the sake of spiritual meditation, or whether it is for the sake of their continuous labours that they acquire such remarkable spiritual proficiency and light of knowledge.

XIIII. Et idcirco eas cum adiectione operis exsequuntur, ne uelut otiosis ualeat somnus inrepere. Sicut enim nullum ferme ab eis otii tempus excipitur, ita ne meditationi quidem spiritali finis inponitur. Nam pariter exercentes corporis animaeque uirtutes exterioris hominis stipendia cum emolumentis interioris exaequant, lubricis motibus cordis et fluctuationi cogitationum instabili operum pondera uelut quandam tenacem atque inmobilem anchoram praefigentes, cui uolubilitas ac peruagatio cordis innexa intra claustra cellae uelut in portu fidissimo ualeat contineri, atque ita spiritali meditationi tantum et custodiae cogitationum intenta non modo ad consensum prauae cuiusque suggestionis peruigilem mentem conruere non sinat, uerum etiam ab omni superflua otiosaque cogitatione custodiat, ita ut, quid ex quo pendeat, haud facile possit a quoquam discerni, id est utrum propter meditationem spiritalem incessabile manuum opus exerceant, an propter operis iugitatem tam praeclarum spiritus profectum scientiaeque lumen adquirant.

CHAPTER 15. Of the discreet rule by which every one must retire to his cell after the close of the prayers; and³⁷ of the rebuke to which any one who does otherwise is subject.

CAPUT XV. Qua lege modestiae post orationum missam unusquisque ad suam cellulam redeat, et cui subdatur increpationi is qui aliter fecerit.

And so, when the Psalms are finished, and the daily assembly, as we said above, is broken up, none of them dares to loiter ever so little or to gossip with another: nor does he presume even to leave his cell throughout the wholeday, or to forsake the work which he is wont to carry on in it, except when they happen to be called out for the performance of some necessary duty, which they fulfil by going out of doors so that there may not be any chattering at all among them. But every one does the work assigned to him in such a way that, by repeating by heart some Psalm or passage of Scripture, he gives no opportunity or time for dangerous schemes or evil designs, or even for idle talk, as both mouth and heart are incessantly taken up with spiritual meditations.

XV. Finitis igitur psalmis et cotidiana congregatione, sicut superius memorauimus, absoluta nullus eorum uel ad modicum subsistere aut sermocinari audet cum altero, sed ne per totum quidem diei spatium cellam suam progredi aut deserere opus, quod in ea solitus est exercere, praesumit, nisi forte cum fuerint ad officium necessarii cuiusque operis euocati. Quod ita explent foras egressi, ut nulla inter eos sermocinatio penitus conseratur : sed sic unusquisque opus exsequitur iniunctum, ut psalmum uel scripturam quamlibet memoriter recensendo non solum conspirationi noxiae uel consiliis prauis, sed ne otiosis quidem conloquiis ullam copiam uel tempus inpertiat, oris pariter et cordis officio in meditatione spiritali iugiter occupato.

For they are most particular in observing this rule, that none of them, and especially of the younger ones, may be caught stopping even for a moment or going anywhere together with another, or holding his hands in his. But, if they discover any who in defiance of the discipline of this rule have perpetrated any of these forbidden things, they pronounce them guilty of no slight fault, as contumacious and disobedient to the rules; nor are they free from suspicion of plotting and nefarious designs. And, unless they expiate their fault by public penance when all the brethren are gathered together, none of them is allowed to be present at the prayers of the brethren.

 2. Summa namque obseruantia custoditur, ne quisquam cum alio ac praecipue iuniores uel ad punctum temporis pariter substitisse aut uspiam secessisse uel manus suas inuicem tenuisse deprehendantur. Si qui uero contra huius regulae disciplinam reperti fuerint aliquid ex his quae interdicta sunt admisisse, ut contumaces ac praeuaricatores mandatorum non leuis culpae rei pronuntiati suspicione etiam coniurationis prauique consilii carere non poterunt. Quam culpam nisi in unum cunctis fratribus congregatis publica diluerint paenitentia, orationi fratrum nullus eorum interesse permittitur.

CHAPTER 16. How no one is allowed to pray with one who has been suspended from prayer.

CAPUT XVI. Quod nulli orare cum illo, qui fuerit ab oratione suspensus, liceat.

Further, if one of them has been suspended from prayer for some fault which he has committed, no one has any liberty of praying with him before he performs his penance on the ground,³⁸ and reconciliation and pardon for his offence has been publicly granted to him by the Abbot before all the brethren. For by a plan of this kind they separate and cut themselves off from fellowship with him in prayer for this reason—because they believe that one who is suspended from prayer is, as the Apostle says, “delivered unto Satan:”³⁹ and if any one, moved by an ill-considered affection, dares to hold communion with him in prayer before he has been received by the Eider, he makes himself partaker of his damnation, and delivers himself up of his own free will to Satan, to whom the other had been consigned for the correction of his guilt. And in this he falls into a more grievous offence because, by uniting with him in fellowship either in talk or in prayer, he gives him grounds for still greater arrogance, and only encourages and makes worse the obstinacy of the offender. For, by giving him a consolation that is only hurtful, he will make his heart still harder, and not let him humble himself for the fault for which he was excommunicated; and through this he will make him hold the Elder’s rebuke as of no consequence, and harbour deceitful thoughts about satisfaction and absolution.

XVI. Sane si quis pro admisso quolibet delicto fuerit ab oratione suspensus, nullus cum eo prorsus orandi habet licentiam, antequam summissa in terram paenitentia reconciliatio eius et admissi uenia coram fratribus cunctis publice fuerit ab abbate concessa. Ob hoc namque tali obseruantia semet ipsos ab orationis eius consortio segregant atque secernunt, quod credunt eum, qui ab oratione suspenditur, secundum Apostolum tradi Satanae, et quisquis orationi eius, antequam recipiatur a seniore, inconsiderata pietate permotus communicare praesumpserit, conplicem se damnationis eius efficiat, tradens scilicet semet ipsum uoluntarie Satanae, cui ille pro sui reatus emendatione fuerat deputatus : in eo uel maxime grauius crimen incurrens, quod cum illo se uel confabulationis uel orationis communione miscendo maiorem illi generet insolentiae fomitem et contumaciam delinquentis in peius enutriat. Perniciosum namque solacium tribuens cor eius magis magisque faciet indurari nec humiliari eum sinet, ob quod fuerat segregatus, et per hoc uel increpationem senioris non magni pendere uel dissimulanter de satisfactione et uenia cogitare.

CHAPTER 17. How he who rouses them for prayer ought to call them at the usual time.

CAPUT XVII. Quod is qui ad orationem exsuscitat, hora solita debeat eos commonere.

But he who has been entrusted with the office of summoning the religious assembly and with the care of the service should not presume to rouse the brethren for their daily vigils irregularly, as he pleases, or as he may wake up in the night, or as the accident of his own sleep or sleeplessness may incline him. But, although daily habit may constrain him to wake at the usual hour, yet by often and anxiously ascertaining by the course of the stars the right hour for service, he should summon them to the office of prayer, lest he be found careless in one of two ways: either if, overcome with sleep, he lets the proper hour of the night go by, or if, wanting to go to bed and impatient for his sleep, he anticipates it, and so may be thought to have secured is own repose instead of attending to the spiritual office and the rest of all the others.⁴⁰

XVII. Is autem, cui religiosi conuentus commonitio uel synaxeos cura committitur, non passim ut libitum est nec prout nocte fuerit expergefactus aut oportunitas eum somni proprii seu insomnii cohortatur, fratres etiam ad cotidianas uigilias exsuscitare praesumit, sed, quamuis eum consuetudo diurna hora solita euigilare conpellat, tamen sollicite frequenterque stellarum cursu praestitutum congregationis tempus explorans ad orationum eos inuitat officium, ne in utroque inueniatur incautus, si uel obpressus somno statutam noctis transgrediatur horam uel eandem dormiturus atque ad somnum festinus anticipet, et non tam officio spiritali uel quieti omnium deseruisse quam requiei suae satisfecisse credatur.

CHAPTER 18. How they do not kneel from the evening of Saturday till the evening of Sunday.

CAPUT XVIII. Quod a vespera Sabbati usque ad vesperam diei Dominicae genua non flectantur.

This, too, we ought to know,—that from the evening of Saturday which precedes the Sunday,⁴¹ up to the following evening, among the Egyptians they never kneel, nor from Easter to Whitsuntide;⁴² nor do they at these times observe a rule of fasting,⁴³ the reason for which shall be Explained in its proper place in the Conferences of the Elders,⁴⁴ if the Lord permits. At present we only propose to run through the causes very briefly, lest our book exceed its due limits and prove tiresome or burdensome to the reader.

                XVIII. Hoc quoque nosse debemus a uespera sabbati, quae lucescit in diem dominicum, usque in uesperam sequentem apud Aegyptios genua non curuari, sed ne totis quidem Quinquagensimae diebus, nec custodiri in eis ieiuniorum regulam. Quarum rerum ratio suo loco in conlationibus seniorum, cum Dominus iusserit, exponetur. Nunc propositum nobis est causas tantummodo breui narratione percurrere, ne castigatum modum uolumen excedens aut fastidio legentem oneret aut labore.