Monasticism emerged in the late 3rd century and had become an established institution in the Christian church by the 4th century. The first Christian monks

, who had developed an enthusiasm for asceticism, appeared in Egypt and Syria. Notably including St.

How did monasticism start?

HISTORY OF MONASTICISM. The traditional account of Christian monasticism begins with St Paul of Thebes retreating to a cave in the Egyptian desert in AD 250 to avoid the persecution initiated by Decius. ... Certainly there are Christian hermits in Egypt by the early 4th century.

Who developed monasticism?

Benedict of Nursia is the most influential of Western monks and is called "the Father of Western Monasticism". He was educated in Rome but soon sought the life of a hermit in a cave at Subiaco, outside the city.