A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

448 A Source Book for Ancient Church Historyignominious and vile. It was from some priests of Alexandriaand from Pope Athanasius 155 and subsequently from Peter, 156who, to escape the persecution of the Arian heretics, had fledfor refuge to Rome as the safest haven of their communion—itwas from these that she [Marcella] learned of the life of theblessed Anthony, then still living, and of the monasteries inthe Thebaid, founded by Pachomius, and of the discipline ofvirgins and widows. Nor was she ashamed to profess what sheknew was pleasing to Christ. Many years after her example wasfollowed first by Sophronia and then by others.… The reveredPaula enjoyed Marcella's friendship, and it was in her cell thatEustochium, that ornament of virginity, was trained.(e) Augustine, Confessiones, VIII, ch. 6. (MSL, 32:755.)The extension of monasticism in the West.[409]Upon a certain day … there came to the house to see Alypiusand me, Pontitianus, a countryman of ours, in so far as he wasan African, who held high office in the Emperor's court. Whathe wanted with us I know not. We sat down to talk together, andupon the table before us, used for games, he noticed by chance abook; he took it up, opened it, and, contrary to his expectations,found it to be the Apostle Paul, for he imagined it to be oneof those books the teaching of which was wearing me out. Atthis he looked up at me smilingly, and expressed his delight andwonder that he so unexpectedly found this book, and this only,before my eyes. For he was both a Christian and baptized, andin constant and daily prayers he often prostrated himself beforeThee our God in the Church. When, then, I had told him that I155 The title of pope which was not yet restricted even by Latins to the bishopof Rome was in general use as the title of the bishop of Alexandria.156 Successor of Athanasius in the see of Alexandria.