The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian MonksBenedicta Ward The Desert Fathers were the first Christian monks, living in solitude in the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. In contrast to the formalised and official theology of the "founding fathers" of the church, the Desert Fathers were ordinary Christians who chose to renounce the world and live lives of celibacy, fasting, vigil, prayer and poverty in direct and simple response to the gospel. Their sayings were first recorded in the 4th century and consist of spiritual advice, anecdotes and parables. The Desert Fathers' teachings and lives have inspired poetry, opera and art, as well as providing spiritual nourishment and a template for monastic life. |
Contents
Further Reading | |
A Note on the Text | |
THE DESERT FATHERS | |
PROGRESS IN PERFECTION | |
QUIET | |
COMPUNCTION | |
SELFCONTROL | |
POSSESSING NOTHING | |
FORTITUDE | |
NOTHING DONE FOR SHOW | |
NONJUDGEMENT | |
DISCRETION | |
SOBER LIVING | |
UNCEASING PRAYER | |
LUST | |
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abba abbot Agatho Alexandria angel answered Antony Anub archbishop Arsenius asked a hermit Athrem began bishop blessed body bread brother asked Cassian cell Christ Christian church Cistercian Cyrus of Alexandria demons Desert Fathers devil disciple door drink Egypt Egyptian Epiphanius Evagrius evil fast fear Forgive gave give God's happened heard heart heaven holy humility inner John Cassian judgement keep knocked live Look Lord lust Macarius mercy mind monastery monastic monasticism monk Moses neighbour Nitria obedience once palm leaves Pambo passions Patrologia Latina peace penance Poemen pray prayer presbyter priest psalms replied saying Scetis Scripture sent Silvanus sins Sisois sitting sleep SLG Press someone soul speak spirit stay Syncletica talk tell temptation tempted Terenuthis Thebaid Theodore things thoughts told this story took trouble weeping wine words