The Rule of an ‘‘Iro-Egyptian’’ monk in Gaul Jonas’ Vita Iohannis and the construction of a monastic identity

Abstract

This article provides an analysis of the narrative techniques applied in Jonas of Bobbio’s Vita Iohannis, a hagiographic text that aims to be rather a monastic programme (possibly even a regula) than an account of historical facts. Jonas constructs his saint as a new Anthony placed in a setting of Late Antique Gaul that is modelled on the basis of Gregory of Tours' works. The saint and his monastic foundations are described as rooting in the tradition of Lérins and John Cassian while in fact representing ideas that are entirely congruent with Columbanian monasticism. With an ingenious synthesis of different monastic traditions Jonas convinces his audience that Columbanian monasticism was by no means innovative but in fact a return to well established monastic ideals. As such, the Vita Iohannis is the perfect counterpart to the Vita Columbani. A side result shows that Jonas reference to the tenor regularis quae beatus Macharius indedit does in fact not refer to the Regula Macharii but to the Regula quattuor patrum. The Vita Iohannis is entirely unsuitable as a source on the use of the Regula Macharii in monasteries in Gaul.