This article is about an abbey as a Christian monastic community. For other uses, see Abbey (disambiguation).

An abbey (from the Latin abbatia, which is derived from the Syriac abba, "father"), is a Christian monastery or convent, under the government of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serve as the spiritual father or mother of the community. A priory only differed from an abbey in that the superior bore the title of prior instead of abbot. Priories were originally offshoots from the larger abbeys, to the abbots of which they continued subordinate; however, the actual distinction between abbeys and priories was lost by the Renaissance. Do not confuse the term convent with the term monastery. Both nuns and monks live in monasteries. Sisters, members of active orders, live in convents. Nuns who are cloistered live in monasteries.

The earliest known Christian monastic communities (see Monasticism) consisted of groups of cells or huts collected about a common centre, which was usually the house of some hermit or anchorite famous for holiness or singular asceticism, but without any attempt at orderly arrangement. Such communities were not an invention of Christianity. The example had been already set in part by the Essenes in Judea and perhaps by the Therapeutae in Egypt.

More on [ Abbey ]

Wiley: All New Reference Titles

Pediatrics: Clinical Cases Uncovered
Jonathan J. Round, Lucy Stradling, Alice Myers Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  * A new paediatrics title for medical students with a unique case based approach * Includes an introductory section on the approach to the patient and backgroud information on how paediatrics differs from other specialties * Cases are divided into four sections covering: Neonates, Infants and Toddlers, Early Childhood and Middle Childhood and Adolescence * An ideal companion to paediatric attachments or rotations Read More...
Surgery: Clinical Cases Uncovered
Harold Ellis, Christopher Watson Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  * Written by authors of the bestselling Lecture Notes: General Surgery, this title in the CCU series contains a vast array of surgical cases for the student to experience and explore * Gives a firm understanding of signs and symptoms that might indicate a need for surgical intervention and the various treatment and management issues involved in surgery * Covers a core area of the medical curriculum Read More...
Clinical Anaesthesia, 3rd Edition
Carl L. Gwinnutt Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  The importance of the anaesthetist cannot be over-stated. The role continues to evolve and anaesthetists now have contact with the majority of patients admitted to hospital, not only providing the conditions under which surgery can be performed safely, but also playing a major role in preoperative assessment, postoperative care, pain management, recognition and management of the critically ill, and resuscitation. Read More...
CliffsTestPrep Praxis II: Education of Exceptional Students (0353, 0382, 0542, 0544)
Judy L. Paris Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  Praxis II?: Education of Exceptional Students (0353, 0382, 0542, 0544) About the contents: Introduction * How to use this book * Overview of the exam * Proven study strategies and test-taking tips * FAQ Part I: Review of Specific Special Education Test Sections * Core Content Knowledge (0353): Understanding exceptionalities; legal and societal issues; delivery of services Read More...
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration Study Guide (Exam 70-643, with CD)
Joel Stidley Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  * This comprehensive guide offers 100 percent coverage of the exam's objectives, real-world scenarios, hands-on exercises, and challenging review questions * Prepares readers to configure terminal services, Web Services infrastructure, security for Web Services, communication services, and file and print services * The newest set of Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional (MCITP) Read More...
70-643: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration, Package
Microsoft Official Academic Course Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0000
  Exam 70-643, Windows Server 2008 Applications Platform Configuration.    The newest iteration of the Microsoft Official Academic Course (MOAC) program for network administration courses using Windows Server 2008 and mapping to the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) 70-643 certification exam. The MOAC IT Professional series is the Official from Microsoft, turn-key Workforce training program that leads to professional certification Read More...

Subscribe to Reference RSS feed