'Citizenship in the heavens': hermits flourished in the desert in the early centuries of Christianity.(Religious Life) From: National Catholic Reporter | Date: February 27, 2004| Author: Ryan, Antonia | COPYRIGHT 2004 National Catholic Reporter. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Monastic life arose simultaneously in many areas of the early Christian world and saw a variety of expressions. In some areas, like Cappadocia, monastic life began as a communal endeavor. Monastic founder St. Basil of Caesarea (d. 379) cautioned that "a person living in solitary retirement will not readily discern his own defects" and called living alone an "ineffectual and unprofitable life."

Most early Christian ascetics in Egypt practiced the discipline in their homes...