4/7/2024 0 Comments Amma syncletica desert mother![]() She fasted, prayed, and practiced solitude all towards this end as a young woman. Syncletica consistently rebuffed every man who came to her, claiming that hers was to be the Heavenly Bridegroom.Īmma Syncletica made Song of Solomon 2:16 her life goal. Her name practically implied this would happen as Syncletica is derived from the Greek meaning “heavenly assembly.” As a young woman, she had no shortage of suitors looking for her hand in marriage, and she was firmly encouraged by her parents to choose someone to wed. Though Alexandria was a major metropolis of the ancient world, they were struck by the faith and charity that existed in the city.įrom an early age she was committed to Christ. Her parents had heard of the reputation of Alexandrians and their love for Christ and were drawn there based upon it. It had less to do with salvation as we understand it through faith in Christ, but rather, “How do I work out my salvation with fear and trembling?” She answers practically and profoundly on topics ranging from dealing with the internal thought life to spiritual disciplines such as fasting and prayer.Īmma Syncletica was born around 380 AD to a wealthy family from Macedonia who had immigrated to Alexandria. The whole of her teaching begins with the question, “What must we do to be saved?” This is the common question asked of disciples to their teachers in the desert movement. It is the same in the case of someone who has not first built an interior dwelling he causes loss to those who come.” “It is dangerous for someone not formed by experience of the ascetic life to try to teach it is as if someone whose house is unsound were to receive guests and cause them injury by the collapse of the building. She was convinced that teaching without experience would lack substance. Only after being pressed by those that came to her did she begin to teach the way she had come to know Christ in solitude. She was hesitant to share publicly what she practiced privately, knowing that intimacy with Christ is a serious matter. Just as wax melts in the presence of fire, so also does the soul disintegrate in the face of praises and lose its vigour.” “A treasure is secure so long as it remains concealed but when once disclosed, and laid open to every bold invader, it is presently rifled so virtue also vanishes once it is known and made public. She is in a class of her own as a spiritual instructor and desert mother. Her life is written by Athanasius, the same author of Abba Anthony’s history (though his authorship has been challenged by some historians). Influenced by Evagrius the Solitary and an imitator of Abba Anthony, Syncletica became one of the brightest flames in the desert tradition. “When we run into headwinds, let us put up the cross for our sail, and we shall voyage through the world in safety.Few ages of church history have seen such a notable figure as Amma Syncletica of Alexandria. Just because the wind has turned, they do not throw the cargo overboard or abandon ship they wait a while and struggle against the storm until they can set a direct course again. “Sailors beginning a voyage set the sails and look for a favorable wind, and later they meet a contrary wind. “If you have begun some good work, you should not be turned from it by the enemy’s attempts to hinder you, indeed your endurance will overthrow the enemy. “If you fast, you should beware of thinking that it is by weakening your body that you have fallen ill, for people who do not fast fall ill in the same way. For our sins, let us put ourselves under guard, and by willingly accepting it now we shall avoid punishment in the future. ![]() To pick a totally random day (okay, it’s actually my birthday) here is an example of what that will look like:Īmma Syncletica said, “Those in the world who commit crimes are thrown into prison against their will. Next year, instead of the daily Franciscan wisdom that I posted for several years, I will be posting wisdom from the desert mothers and fathers each day. I have spent the past few weeks working on my daily Franciscan blog for 2018, which has left me little time to do anything else.
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