The Forgotten Desert Mothers: Sayings, Lives, and Stories of Early Christian WomenIn The Forgotten Desert Mothers, Laura Swan introduces readers to the sayings, lives, stories and spirituality of women in the early Christian desert and monastic movement, from the third century on. In doing so, she finally sets the record straight that women played an important and influential role in early Christianity, indeed a role that has been long overshadowed by men. She begins with an exploration of the historical context and spirituality of the desert ascetics. Then she weaves together the sayings of the major desert ammas, or mothers, along with commentary that invites readers to reflect on their own spiritual journey as they share their wisdom. The book then journeys between desert, monastery and city to reveal the stories of ascetics and solitaries whose stories are rarely heard, organized in the author's own alphabetical collection. The Forgotten Desert Mothers demonstrates, like no other work, that women have long had a history of leadership in Christianity. This engaging, eye-opening and insightful work targets all faith seekers looking to reclaim the history and spirituality of the women who came before them, as well as to understand their own inner journey. It will be a welcome addition to courses on early church history, women's studies and religious studies. + |
Contents
| 5 | |
DESERT SPIRITUALITY | 20 |
THE SAYINGS OF THE DESERT MOTHERS | 32 |
BRIGHT STARS IN THE DESERT SKY LESSER KNOWN DESERT MOTHERS | 71 |
DEACONESSES OF THE EARLY CHURCH | 106 |
MENTORS OF THE MONASTIC WAY COMMUNITIES AND THEIR LEADERS | 127 |
THE GIFT OF THE DESERT | 151 |
Timeline of the Forgotten Desert Mothers | 170 |
The Ordination Rite of Deacons in the Byzantine Tradition Reconstructed from the Texts of Seven Manuscripts | 171 |
Notes | 179 |
Glossary of Selected Terms | 193 |
A Calendar of Feasts of Holy Women | 201 |
Selected Bibliography | 205 |
Other editions - View all
Forgotten Desert Mothers, The: Sayings, Lives, and Stories of Early ... Swan, Laura Limited preview - 2022 |
The Forgotten Desert Mothers: Sayings, Lives, and Stories of Early Christian ... Laura Swan No preview available - 2022 |
Common terms and phrases
Abba Alexandria Amma Sarah Amma Syncletica Amma Theodora ammas teach Anastasia the Patrician ascetical practices asceticism Asella Athanasia aware began bishop Blessed Caesaria cave cell Christ Christian compassion Constantinople cultivate culture daughter deaconess death dedicated deep deepen deeply desert ascetics desert dwellers Desert Mothers Desert spirituality died discern disciple Divine Early Church Egypt Emperor Euphemia Euphrasia Euphrosyne Euphrosyne of Alexandria Eusebeia Eustochium eventually experience fasting father feast day followers freedom gift God's healing heart hermit Hilaria Holy Spirit humility inner journey Jerome Jerusalem Jesus John of Ephesus listen lived Macrina Macrina the Younger Marcella Matrona Melania the Elder Melania the Younger mentor monastery monastic community monastic observance monks move movement Olympias ordained ourselves Palladius passions Paula person pilgrims poor pray prayer psalms Radegunde relationships Roman Rome Saint Sayings Scete scripture seek self-awareness silence simplicity solitary solitude sought soul spiritual journey Susanna tion wealth woman women yearn