The Syriac Book of Steps 1: Syriac Text and English Translation

Description

The Syriac Book of Steps collects 30 memre by an anonymous late 4th century author in Persia. It describes the struggle of an actual Christian community, not an idealized one, to live a life in the pursuit of perfection in the midst of a hostile culture. The author details the aspirations and standards of the two ranks of Christians prior to the advent of monasticism: the Upright—married people who work and perform acts of charity—and the Perfect who are celibate, do not work, but live a life of prayer, wandering through the region teaching and mediating conflicts. Table of Contents Introduction Syriac Editor's Preface Mēmrā One Mēmrā Two: About Those Who Want To Become Perfect Mēmrā Three: The Physical And The Spiritual Ministry Mēmrā Four: On The Vegetables For The Sick Mēmrā Five: On The Milk Of The Children Mēmrā Six: On Those Who Are Made Perfect And Continue To Grow Mēmrā Seven: On The Commandments Of The Upright Mēmrā Eight: On One Who Gives All He Has To Feed The Poor Mēmrā Nine: On Uprightness And The Love Of The Upright And The Prophets Mēmrā Ten