The varied history of Eastern Christian monasticism, from its origins in the deserts of Egypt and Palestine to its modern forms throughout the globe, has not so far received such detailed (but also concise) treatment as we find in this book. John Binns, an Anglican priest, ecumenist and distinguished scholar of early monasticism, the oriental Churches of Egypt and Ethiopia, and Orthodox theology, provides a thoughtful and well-informed study of the subject. He outlines in his introduction the various ways in which monasticism can be approached: as the history of an ‘institution’ within the Church, as the study of the holy people (both male and female) who undertake lives that are dedicated to God, or as a theological or spiritual tradition. With a view to examining each of these aspects of monasticism in the Eastern Christian Churches, Binns structures the book both diachronically and according to geographical region. The individual chapters contain a wealth of well-chosen examples from literary texts, archaeological evidence and images in order to portray the distinctive forms that Eastern Christian monasticism has taken in the course of two millennia. Such evidence also illustrates broader historical or spiritual trends that manifest themselves in monasticism, as well as in other cultural phenomena. What is particularly valuable in this book is the balance that is achieved between discerning the personal, or spiritual, motivations for a solitary or communal religious life and the social or political forces that support such movements. Both of these forces have changed over time, but continuity – thanks to Orthodox reverence for the apostolic and patristic origins of the monastic movement – has also remained strong. Binns cites in his conclusion the words of an early modern Russian monk, St Seraphim of Sarov, who said, ‘Achieve silence and thousands around you will find salvation’ (p. 235). These words encapsulate the spirit of Eastern Orthodox monasticism in all of its varied forms, ranging from solitary to communal. The object of a life that is dedicated to service of God has always been to achieve ‘hesychia’ or quietness, in which prayer can flourish.

Salvation, or atonement, is sought by those who embrace the monastic way of life not only on a personal level, but also on behalf of the rest of humanity. This book will be useful for teachers of church history, theology and religious studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as for scholars and lay readers who are interested in the place of monasticism as a spiritual movement within Christianity. The book is written in a readable and lively style that helps to make this rich, but sometimes overlooked, aspect of Christian history accessible to modern readers.