Abstract

The Conferences of John Cassian constitute one of the more noteworthy contributions to early monastic literature. While it reveals decidedly Eastern influences, particularly Evagrius, it is a western contribution completed by the early decades of the fifth century. Among these recollections of what the Eastern fathers taught about the monastic life, Conferences Nine and Ten figure among the most important.4For in these two Conferences Cassian gives both his teaching on the nature and mystery of contemplative prayer and the method or practice by which the monk is disposed unceasingly to this grace; moreover, it is also where one finds Cassian's commentary on the Our Father. This is a very interesting coincidence: the former is characterized by silence, the later by words. The question as to the possible relationship between the two suggests itself for further consideration