Macarius and Evagrius

Abstract A re-evaluation of the opposition commonly assumed to obtain between the teaching and respective legacies of Macarius and Evagrius of Pontus – an opposition often put in terms of the contrast between Semitic and Hellenic Christianity, between intellective and affective mysticisms, between ‘head’ and ‘heart’. Both authors are shown to be ill served by such simplistic contrasts, both far broader in scope and vision than these would imply. The two are, however, legitimately to be distinguished in terms of emphasis and balance – Macarius emerging as the more subtle and holistic of the two.