Perpetua of Hippo

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Not to be confused with Perpetua of Carthage.

Perpetua (died c. 423) was a late Roman abbess, the daughter of Saint Monica and Patricius, and the sister of Augustine of Hippo.

Biography[]

Although Augustine's sister is mentioned by him and Possidius, neither give her name; the Bollandists ascribe the name Perpetua to sacred tradition.[1] Perpetua married and was widowed, then dedicated herself to a life of celibacy and became head of a convent.[2] She died around 423.[3][4] In his writings, Augustine does name their brother, Navigus.[5][6] Possidius describes her in his Vita Augustini as "superior of the handmaids until her death", despite this, neither she, nor any other woman, was allowed to stay at Augustine's monastery.[7] He argued that although his sister, who was living a holy life, would be above "evil suspicion" - she would need to bring in female servants who may provide temptation.[8]

Religious impact[]

Perpetua was an abbess of an order of consecrated virgins in Hippo.[2] This monastery was probably close to his own in Hippo.[9] Augustine and Perpetuas' nieces joined this religious foundation.[10] The monastery was also well known for rescuing foundlings.[11] This establishment seems to have run on similar lines to his - the nuns were allowed to leave the monastery for a variety of activities, including: visiting the baths, to the laundry, and to worship at external churches.[12] He wrote Epistula 211 addressed to the order,[13][14] after the death of his sister, as they were suffering from internal dissent.[7] It can be argued that Perpetuas' influence was at its strongest after her death, with the writing of this letter to her community. It became known as the Rule of Nuns.[15] One of its major warnings was of pride: whether you came from a humble or a rich background, there was danger that you may become proud of your asceticism, which undid all its holy work.[7]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Cited in Weiskotten, Herbert T. (2008) [1919]. "Introduction". The Life of Saint Augustine. Arx. p. xv. ISBN 978-1-889758-90-9.
  2. ^ a b FITZGERALD, E (1999). Augustine Through the Ages: An Encyclopedia. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 309. ISBN 978-0-8028-3843-8.
  3. ^ Augustine. Epistula 211.4.
  4. ^ Possidius, Vita augustini, 26.1.
  5. ^ Augustine. De vita beata, 1.6.
  6. ^ Augustine. Confessiones, 9.11.27.
  7. ^ a b c FITZGERALD, ed (1999). Augustine Through the Ages: An Encyclopedia. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 68. ISBN 978-0-8028-3843-8.
  8. ^ Truax, Jean A. (1990-01-01). "Augustine of Hippo: defender of women's equality?". Journal of Medieval History. 16 (4): 285. doi:10.1016/0304-4181(90)90029-Z. ISSN 0304-4181.
  9. ^ Toom, Tarmo (2018-01-11). Augustine in Context. Cambridge University Press. p. 207. ISBN 978-1-108-36518-5.
  10. ^ "Navigius". dacb.org. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  11. ^ Chadwick, Henry (2010-08-05). Augustine of Hippo: A Life. OUP Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-161533-7.
  12. ^ Toom, Tarmo (2018-01-11). Augustine in Context. Cambridge University Press. p. 174. ISBN 978-1-108-36518-5.
  13. ^ "CHURCH FATHERS: Letter 211 (St. Augustine)". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  14. ^ Fitzgerald, Allan D. (1999). Augustine Through the Ages: An Encyclopedia. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 303. ISBN 978-0-8028-3843-8.
  15. ^ Barnard, Lucy (2007). "The Pedagogical Gospel according to Saint Augustine". International Journal of the Humanities. 5 (2).
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