E.A. Wallis Budge 
The Book Of Governors 
Accounts of the Lives of the Holy Men and Monks of the Monastery of Beth Abhe

Bishop Thomas entered the monastery of Beth Abhe Church in the year of 832 and subsequently became an influential and important figure in the early church. This work was written at the request of a young monk, who had urged Bishop Thomas to record for posterity the lives of the most famous monks of Beth Abhe. As a result we get a threaded together series of events, stories and personal histories, which show how monks and early monasticism existed on a day-to-day, and individual-to individual basis. A truly remarkable and indispensable work for those interested in the spiritual life of any religion but particularly early Christianity.