John Cassian

Also: Johannes Cassianus, Cassian the Roman

Born probably between 360 and 365, perhaps in Scythia Minor (now Dobruja, Romania and Bulgaria). Died probably between 432 and 435, in Massilia (now Marseille, France).

A monk who lived many years with the desert fathers of Egypt. He brought their teaching to the West in his Institutes and Conferences.

Wrote in Latin. A major author.

Places lived

380 to 385Bethlehem, West Bankmonkyears not sure
385 to 399Scetis (now Wadi El Natrun, Egypt)monkyears probableHe left Egypt in the quarrel over Origen, about 399 to 400.
400 to 404Constantinopolis (now Istanbul, Turkey)deacon under John Chrysostomyears probable
405Roma (now Rome, Italy)envoy for John ChrysostomWhere he lived from 405 to about 415 is not known.
415 to 435Massilia (now Marseille, France)priest, founder of two monasteriesyears probable

Works

3 works, in the order they were written. 3 works can be read here.

Institutesc. 419 to 426 · probably in Massilia (now Marseille, France) · treatiseThe dress, prayer and rule of the monks of Egypt, and the eight chief faults.79,799 words
Conferencesc. 425 to 429 · probably in Massilia (now Marseille, France) · dialogueTwenty-four talks with the old men of the Egyptian desert.292,054 words
On the Incarnation, Against Nestorius429 to 430 · probably in Massilia (now Marseille, France) · treatiseSeven books against Nestorius, written for the church of Rome.67,394 words

How we know the dates and places

Born probable: Scholars say about 360. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'Cassian, John'.
Place of birth not sure: Gennadius, On Illustrious Men 62 ("a Scythian by birth")
Some scholars say Gaul.
Died probable: Gennadius, On Illustrious Men 62 (he died under Theodosius II and Valentinian III); Prosper wrote against him in 432 or 433 as a living man
Place of death sure: Gennadius, On Illustrious Men 62
Bethlehem, years not sure: Cassian, Institutes 3.4 and 4.31; Conferences 11.1
Bethlehem, place sure: Cassian, Institutes 3.4 and 4.31; Conferences 11.1
Scetis, years probable: Cassian, Conferences 1 to 10 and 18.1
Scetis, place sure: Cassian, Conferences 1 to 10 and 18.1
Constantinopolis, years probable: Cassian, On the Incarnation 7.31; Palladius, Dialogue on the Life of Chrysostom 3
Constantinopolis, place sure: Cassian, On the Incarnation 7.31; Palladius, Dialogue on the Life of Chrysostom 3
Roma, years sure: Palladius, Dialogue on the Life of Chrysostom 3
Roma, place sure: Palladius, Dialogue on the Life of Chrysostom 3
Massilia, years probable: Gennadius, On Illustrious Men 62
Massilia, place sure: Gennadius, On Illustrious Men 62