patisteronomies

Patisteria is a term used to describe a type of centralized control found in early Christian communities. It emerged in the Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, particularly among certain groups of Christian ascetics.

In the context of early Christian monasticism, a patister was an elder or leader who had spiritual authority over a community of ascetics. This leader was often responsible for making important decisions and guiding the group's spiritual practices. Over time, the term "patisteria" came to describe the hierarchical structure and centralized control that characterized these early Christian communities.

Patisteria was characterized by a strong emphasis on obedience and hierarchical structure. Under a patristic system, individual members of a community were expected to submit to the authority of the elder, who was seen as a mediator between the community and the divine. This system was often formalized through rituals and ceremonies, which were used to legitimize the elder's authority.

The concept of patisteria was influential in the development of Christian monasticism, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. However, it was also subject to criticism and decline in later centuries. Some saw patisteria as an expression of authoritarianism and a departure from the egalitarian ethos of early Christianity. Despite this, the legacy of patisteria continues to be felt in the way some Eastern Orthodox monasteries and communities are structured today.