Hierax (Ascetic)

Hierakas or Hierax of Leontopolis (* 245-270; † 335-370 ) was an early Christian Egyptian scholar. He seems to have has an education in Greek- Egyptian sciences, and lived in Lower Egypt Leontopolis probably of Kalligraphiearbeit. There he gathered disciples and followers around him who Hierakiten were called. Of these, he demanded the strictest asceticism and abstinence. Hierakas, which may have been influenced by his compatriot Origen is said to have taught that the " resurrection " and "Paradise " are to be understood only in the figurative sense. The way there could be attained only through asceticism and was therefore married and baptized children locked. His written partly in Greek and partly in Coptic art, Bible commentaries and self-written psalms have gone largely lost. The biographical knowledge about him comes mainly obtained by Bishop Epiphanius of Salamis. His followers were considered by the early monasticism as serious competitors, and so vigorously opposed.