EVAGRIUS OF PONTUS' “LETTER TO MELANIA” I

Abstract

Summary The so-called “Letter to Melania” by the fourth century author Evagrius of Pontus, is an important though perhaps rather hasty summary of his Origenist thought system. In the first article, a general introduction to the author's life, his writings and his doctrine, is given. In this, it is important to see Evagrius' place in desert spirituality as well as the role which his writings played in the 6th century condemnation of Origen. Then follows an English translation of the Letter's text, which has been preserved in a Syriac translation only of the original Greek, and which has been edited in two parts by different editors. In the second article, the present writer attempts to summarize and comment upon the contents of the Letter in some detail.