John Moschos' Spiritual Meadow

John Moschos' Spiritual Meadow is one of the most important sources for late sixth-early seventh century Palestinian, Syrian and Egyptian monasticism. Introducing appropriate historical and theological background to the tales, Llewellyn Ihssen demonstrates how Moschos' tales address issues of the autonomy of individual ascetics and lay persons in relationship with authority figures. Whilst teaching us about the complicated relationships between personal agency and divine intercession, Moschos’ tales can also be seen to reveal liminal boundaries we know existed between the secular and the religious.