The Presbyters Project

IV.30.1-2

XXX. De abbatis Pinufi humilitate, qui relicto coenobio celeberrimo, cui presbyter praeerat, longinquum monasterium, in quo uelut incipiens susciperetur, desiderio perfectionis expetit.

[...]

Vidimus itaque abbatem Pinufium, qui cum esset inmanis coenobii presbyter, quod est in Aegypto non longe a Panephysi ciuitate, et pro ipsa reuerentia uel uitae suae uel aetatis uel sacerdotii cunctis honorabilis ac uenerandus existeret.

Abba Pinufius decides to flee the monastery in order to humble himself. He changes his garment to a lay dress and enters another, smaller coenobium as a novice. He is not seen performing any presbyterial duties.

(ed. Guy 2011: 120 and 164; changed and summarized by J. Szafranowski )

IV.30.2

XXX. Of the humility of Abba Pinufius, who left a very famous cœnobium over which he presided as presbyter, and out of the love of subjection sought a distant monastery where he could be received as a novice.

[...]

Thus we saw Abba Pinufius who when he was presbyter of a huge cœnobium which is in Egypt not far from the city of Panephysis, was held in honour and respect by all men out of reverence either for his life or for his age or for his priesthood.

(trans. E. Gibson 1894; changed and summarized by J. Szafranowski http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf211.iv.iii.iv.xxx.html

Discussion:

Abba Pinufius, despite being a presbyter from Egypt, deserves a record in this database as he is presented as a role model for the Western monks.

It is interesting that the title of this chapter suggests that Pinufius presided over the monastery precisely because of his presbyterial ordination.

The story of Pinufius is also recounted by Cassian in his Conferences (XX.1), see [1302].

Place of event:

Region

Gaul

City

Marseille

About the source:

Author: John Cassian
Title: Institutes of the Coenobia and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults, De institutis coenobiorum et de octo principalium uitiorum remediis
Origin: Marseille (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

The Institutes of John Cassian were written between the years 420 and 424 at the request of Bishop Castor of Apt. The first four books describe the monastic way of life, namely the dress, divine office, common life, and monastic virtues, using the example of the Eastern monks. The eight following books deal with the eight principal vices, and how a monk can safeguard against them so as to achieve the peace of heart which is necessary in order to contemplate.

Edition:

J–C. Guy ed., Institutions cénobitiques, Sources Chrétiennes 109, Paris 2011.

Translation:

The works of John Cassian, trans. E. Gibson, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers 11, New York 1894.

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf211.i.html

Categories:

Functions within the Church - Monastic presbyter

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Described by a title - Abba

Monastic or common life - Cenobitic monk

Monastic or common life - Monastic superior (abbot/prior)

Reverenced by

Further ecclesiastical career - Lay status

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1494, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1494