Orsisius

(Arsisios, Oresiesis-Heru-sa Ast)

An Egyptian monk of the fourth century was a disciple of Pachomius on the Island Tabenna in the Nile. When Pacomius died (348), Orsisius was chosen as his successor; but he resigned in favour of Theodore. It was not till Theodore's death (c. 380) that Orsisius, advised by St. Athanasius, accepted the office of hegumen. Theodore and Orsisius are said to have helped Pachomius in the composition of his rule; Gennadius (De, vir, ill., IX) mentions another work;

This is supposed to be the work; "Doctrina de institutione monachorum" translated by St. Jerome into Latin (P.L., CIII, 453 sq., and P.G., XL., 870-894). Migne prints after it (P.G., XL., 895 sq.) another work attributed to the same author: "De sex cogitationibus sanctorium", which, however, is probably by a later Oresius.

Cave, Scriptorum eccl. historia literaria, I (Basle, 1741) 209: Ceillier, Histoire generale des auteurs sacres, IV (Paris, 1860), 235 sq.

ADRIAN FORTESCUE