The play takes place at the mouth of a cave high on Mount Colzim in eastern Egypt. There are two characters in the play: one is a rather stiff, unyielding anchorite named Father Petrus; the other is a gentle scholar-hermit, St. Igneous. As the play opens, the two are deep in a discussion that is perhaps more philological than theological.
Father Petrus: You must attend more assiduously to
some science of the spirit—to ASCESIS.
St. Igneous: But both of us, you and I, have carefully practiced APOSTASIS, an aesthetic renunciation of the world.
Petrus: Yes, we have accepted the tortured path of waylessness. But still, like wayward children, we cling to purpose!
Igneous: And in the act of so doing, we deny ourselves
MAGGENANUTHA, a gracious receipt of holy gifts.
Petrus: We are still too much within the world. We must more vigorously embrace ANACHORESIS, the profound withdrawl.
Igneous: We must take up residence on the inner mountain. We must intensify our state of social disengagement. We must attain holy stillness, Petra.
We must embrace APATHEIA.
Petrus: We will certainly perish in this heartless desert unless we learn to achieve PARRESIA, a certain intimacy with God.
Igneous: Boil some tea, Petrus. I wish us to sip a vow—to ATARAXIA—a life of untroubled calm.
Petrus: How much is it to be desired!
Igneous: Do not ask how much, gentle Petrus. Make the tea. And we will sit together quietly and encircle the word.
Petrus: You mean “encircle the WORLD.”
Igneous: Isn’t that what I said?
Petrus: No.
