Editing Rule of Saint Benedict (section)

==Origins==
Christian monasticism first appeared in the [[Egypt]]ian desert, before [[Benedict of Nursia]]. Under the inspiration of [[Saint Anthony the Great]] (251–356), [[ascetic]] monks led by [[Saint Pachomius]] (286–346) formed the first Christian monastic communities under what became known as an ''Abbot'', from the Aramaic ''abba'' (father).<ref>{{OED|abbot}}</ref>[[Image:Heiligenkreuz.St. Benedict.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Saint Benedict writing the rules. Painting (1926) by [[Hermann Nigg]] (1849–1928).]]Within a generation, both solitary as well as communal monasticism became very popular and spread outside of Egypt, first to [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and the [[Judean Desert]] and thence to [[Syria]] and [[North Africa]]. Saint [[Basil of Caesarea]] codified the precepts for these eastern monasteries in his Ascetic Rule, or ''Ascetica'', which is still used today in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].

In the West in about the year 500, Benedict became so upset by the immorality of society in [[Rome]] that he gave up his studies there, at age fourteen, and chose the life of an ascetic monk in the pursuit of personal holiness, living as a hermit in a cave near the rugged region of [[Subiaco, Italy|Subiaco]]. In time, setting an example with his zeal, he began to attract disciples. After considerable initial struggles with his first community at Subiaco, he eventually founded the [[monastery]] of [[Monte Cassino]] in 529, where he wrote his Rule near the end of his life.<ref>{{Cite book | isbn = 0-394-31733-5 | page = 188 | last = Chambers | first = Mortimer | title = The Western Experience | year = 1974 | publisher = Knopf }}</ref>

In chapter 73, Saint Benedict commends the Rule of Saint Basil and alludes to further authorities. He was probably aware of the Rule written by [[Pachomius]] (or attributed to him), and his Rule also shows influence by the [[Rule of St Augustine]] of Hippo and the writings of [[Saint John Cassian]]. Benedict's greatest debt, however, may be to the anonymous document known as the [[Rule of the Master]], which Benedict seems to have radically excised, expanded, revised and corrected in the light of his own considerable experience and insight.<ref>{{Cite web | title = OSB. About the Rule of Saint Benedict by Abbot Primate Jerome Theisen OSB. | access-date = 2008-11-10 | url = http://www.osb.org/gen/rule.html }}</ref> Saint Benedict's work expounded upon preconceived ideas that were present in the religious community only making minor changes more in line with the time period relevant to his system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02436a.htm|title=Catholic Encyclopedia: Rule of St. Benedict|website=www.newadvent.org|access-date=2017-11-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Zuidema|first=Jason|date=2012|title=Understanding Decline and Renewal in the History of Life under Saint Benedict's Rule: Observations from Canada|url=https://search.lib.asu.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=TN_mla2013100674&context=PC&vid=01ASU&search_scope=Everything&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|journal=Cistercian Studies Quarterly|volume=47|pages=456–469}}</ref>

The ''Rule'' was translated into [[Armenian language|Armenian]] by [[Nerses of Lampron]] in the 10th century and is used by the [[Armenian Catholic]] [[Mekhitarists]] today. It was also translated into [[Old English]] by [[Æthelwold]].<ref>See Jacob Riyeff (trans.), ''The Old English Rule of Saint Benedict: with Related Old English Texts'' (Liturgical Press, 2017).</ref>