John Cassian was an earlier monk from Scythia who died in 435.

The earliest monks were simply men who fled civilization to lead an ascetic lifestyle alone in the desert.

The earliest western monks were ascetics and eccentrics, like their eastern model.

Considered an aspect of the early monk's training, angya had in ancient times lasted for many years for some.

The name may have referred to early Trappist monks who built huts near the mouth of the river.

Discover the early monks' way of life in Scotland.

In some ways one might say that they wanted a life more like that of early monks - embracing poverty, chastity, even obedience.

The stories were extremely popular among early Christian monks, and appeared in various forms and collections.

Curiously it has no clapper again bearing likeness to those carried by early French monks.

Huisi was an early monk who taught about it.