John Damascene, a monk near Jerusalem in the early 700s, never set foot in the Byzantine Empire, yet he had a great influence on Byzantine theology. This book, the first to present an overall account of John's life and work, sets him in the context of the early synods of the Church that took place in the Palestinian monasteries during the first century of Arab rule. "Rich and fascinating.... a considerable achievement and recommended especially for placing John in a coherent intellectual and religious context in which he can be much better appreciated."-- Journal of Religion The first overall account of John's life and work Andrew Louth is Professor of Patristic and Byzantine Studies, University of Durham, and General Editor (with Gillian Clark) of Oxford Early Christian Studies.