Selected Discourses of Shenoute the Great Community, Theology, and Social Conflict in Late Antique Egypt

Shenoute the Great (c.347?465) led one of the largest Christian monastic communities in late antique Egypt and was the greatest native writer of Coptic in history. For approximately eight decades, Shenoute led a federation of three monasteries and emerged as a Christian leader. His public sermons attracted crowds of clergy, monks, and lay people; he advised military and government officials; he worked to ensure that his followers would be faithful to orthodox Christian teaching; and he vigorously and violently opposed paganism and the oppressive treatment of the poor by the rich. This volume presents in translation a selection of his sermons and other orations. These works grant us access to the theology, rhetoric, moral teachings, spirituality, and social agenda of a powerful Christian leader during a period of great religious and social change in the later Roman Empire.

Shenoute's life, times, and Discourses; Part I. Heretics and Other Enemies of the Church: 1. And it happened one day; 2. As I sat on a mountain; 3. I am amazed; Part II. Shenoute as Pastor and Preacher: 4. I see your eagerness; 5. Some kinds of people sift dirt and Whoever seeks God will find; 6. The idolatrous pagans, or And we will reveal something else; 7. And let us also reprove; 8. I answered; 9. And after a few days; 10. See how clearly revealed is the foolishness of pitiless people; 11. Truly when I think; 12. A priest will never cease; 13. When the Word says; Part III. The Christian's Struggle with Satan: 14. In the night; 15. Because of you too, O Prince of Evil; 16. A beloved asked me years ago; 17. As we began to preach; Part IV. The Conflict with Gesios: 18. Not because a fox barks; 19. Let our eyes (translated by Stephen Emmel); 20. A26; 21. God says through those who are His; 22. God is blessed.