Saint Paisios the Great (Pshōi or Bishoi) cult and representation in the middle ages

Abstract

The paper presents extant texts narrating about St. Paisios the Great, that is, Pshōi or Bishoi (ca. 320-ca. 417), a monk who lived in a lavra in Scetis in the Nitrian Desert in Egypt. It brings the basic information about the monastery of St. Paisios in Scetis and his relics, which were transferred there between 830 and 849 from Antinoe, where he had found refuge. His preserved medieval depictions are listed. Conclusions about his cult and representation follow.

Keywords

• st. paisios the great
• st. pshōi
• st. bishoi
• egypt
• byzantium
• middle ages
• cult
• representation