Nilus of Ancyra
Also called Nilus the Wise or Nilus the Elder, St. Nilus of Ancyra (d. c. 430) was a Byzantine official who is thought to have been a protége of John Chrysostom, whom he defended. Byzantine legends, which Western scholars reject, say that Nilus and his son Theodulus became monks on Sinai. Theodulus was captured by Arab robbers c. 410, and the pair were later miraculously reunited. Nilus became the abbot of a monastery, which some say he founded, near Ancyra. During his lifetime, he had a reputation as a healer, and he wrote much for the edification of his monks. His writings emphasize the importance of renunciation of the will and are the first to make specific mention of the Jesus Prayer. His exegetic style follows that of the Antiochene School, although he does use allegory occasionally. A number of works attributed to him are now considered the writings of others, like Evagrius Ponticus, whose general thought was deemed suspect.
Karen Rae Keck
including the header and this copyright remain intact.