Testimonies, Addressees, and Cassian’s Real Milieu

Abstract

This chapter will endeavour to establish the existence and thought of this heretofore unknown person. The main source of information about John Cassian is Gennadius of Marseilles, or so is he currently supposed to be. Photius refers to 'monk Cassian, the Roman' having written two of the three discourses at the request of Bishop Castor. Leontius assumed responsibility of the convent after Castor's death, yet Leontius himself is not styled bishop: he is only mentioned as the person in charge and Castor's successor. Castor was the bishop supervising the monastery of which Leontius assumed responsibility after the bishop's death. A 'Bishop Castor, the martyr' is commemorated in the East, but almost nothing is known of him. The chapter subsequently available to such theologians as Antiochus of Palestine, John Climacus, John of Damascus, Anastasius of Sinai, Photius, the writer of the Apophthegmata, Nicon of Montenegro, and others. Keywords:Antiochus; Castor; Gennadius; John Cassian; Leontius; Marseilles; monk Cassian; Palestine; Photius