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'''Evagrius Ponticus''' (c. 346-399) was an Egyptian monastic, and one of the earliest spiritual writers on [[asceticism]] in the Christian eremitic tradition. He is also called '''Evagrius of Pontus''' or '''Evagrius the Solitary'''. Some of his works are included Although condemned in proceedings associated with the ''[[PhilokaliaFifth Ecumenical Council]]''his writings, many passed under pseudonyms, exercised a very strong influence over Orthodox spirituality.

Evagrius was born in Pontus around the year 345 and studied under the [[Cappadocians|Cappadocian Fathers]]. St. [[Basil the Great]] tonsured Evagrius a [[reader]], and St. [[Gregory the Theologian]] elevated him to the [[deacon|diaconate]]. As a deacon, Evagrius Ponticus would attend the [[Second Ecumenical Council]] (First Constantinople) in 381, which formulated the last portion of the [[Nicene Creed]] (the article dealing with the [[Holy Spirit]]). After visiting Jerusalem, where Evagrius became a [[monk]] in , he went to the Egyptian desert in 383. There his life would touch those of two other [[saint]]s: such as St. [[Makarios Macarius of Alexandria]], his mentor; and St. [[John Cassian]] ("Cassian the Roman"), his disciple. (Many believe he also met knew St. [[Makarios Macarius the EgyptianGreat]].) He died in Kellia, Egypt, in 399.

Evagrius passed on his firsthand knowledge of the [[Desert Fathers]] to many visitors and disciples, becoming particularly well known for his teaching on [[prayer]]. He exhorted his followers to practice the virtues, engage in regular Psalmody, and refrain from making any physical/mental images during prayer. However, like so many others, he became influenced by the teachings of [[Origen]], believing in the doctrines of [[apokatastasis]], the "restitution of all things" (including the reconciliation of [[Satan]]), and in the Platonic notion of the pre-existence of the soul. The [[Fifth Ecumenical Council]] (Second Constantinople) in 553 deemed both these doctrines (and Origen himself) [[heresy|heretical]]. Although never [[canonization|canonized]] a saint, Evagrius' teachings on [[asceticism]], prayer, and the spiritual life had a profound impact upon both Christian East and West.

The [[Fifth Ecumenical Council]] (Second Constantinople) in 553 deemed both these doctrines (and Origen himself) [[heresy|heretical]]. Although never [[Glorification|glorified]] as a saint, Evagrius' teachings on [[asceticism]], prayer, and the spiritual life had a profound impact upon both Christian East and West. Two of his works are included in the ''[[Philokalia]]'', one (''Praktikos'') under his name, the other (''Chapters on Prayer'') under Nilus of Ancyra's. ==Select Works==Certainly authentic works: *The Praktikos*The Gnostikos*Kephalaia Gnostica (Problemata Gnostica)*On Asceticism and Stillness The Chapters on Prayer, preserved in the Solitary LifeGreek under the name of St [[Nilus of Sinai]].*On Discrimination Antirrheticos*Sentences for Monks*Exhortation to a Virgin*Hypotyposis*Treatise to the Monk Eulogius<ref>This is printed in respect PG 79:1093-1140, among the works of Passions St Nilus.</ref>*Treatise on Various Evil Thoughts (Capita Cognoscitiva)*Protrepticus and ThoughtsParaeneticus*Letters*On WatchfulnessScriptural Commentaries*On PrayerVarious Ascetic Treatises {{stub}}Works of doubtful authenticity: 153 Texts*De Malignis Cogitationibus*Collections of Sentences

*If you are a [[theologian]], you will pray truly. And if you pray truly, you are a theologian. - ''Treatise on Prayer'', 61.

==External Linkslinks==*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evagrius_Ponticus Original Wikipedia article]

*[http://studentswww.cuakalvesmaki.educom/16kalvesmakiEvagPont/EvagPont Evagrius Ponticus: Monastic Theologian]