`Give me a word, Father', visitors to early desert monks asked. The responses of these pioneer ascetics were remembered and in the fourth century written down in Coptic, Syriac, Greek, and later Latin. Their Sayings were collected, in this case in the alphabetical order of the monks and nuns who uttered them, and read by generations of Christians as life-giving words that would help readers along the path to salvation.
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'A delightful insight into the lives of ascetics who left all to follow Christ...a very readable translation of an important collection of sayings' -- Sisters Today
'Should be on the shelf of every library concentrating in spirituality' -- Abba
'The only English translation of the most complete version of the Apophthegmata Patrum, a compilation of sayings from the desert monks of Egypt, Syria, and Palestine in the fourth to sixth century...likely to be widely read and enjoyed for their own sake' --Choice
"A delightful insight into the lives of ascetics who left all to follow Christ . . . a very readable translation of an important collection of sayings." --Sisters Today
". . . should be on the shelf of every library concentrating in spirituality." --Abba
'Should be on the shelf of every library concentrating in spirituality' -- Abba
'The only English translation of the most complete version of the Apophthegmata Patrum, a compilation of sayings from the desert monks of Egypt, Syria, and Palestine in the fourth to sixth century...likely to be widely read and enjoyed for their own sake' --Choice
"A delightful insight into the lives of ascetics who left all to follow Christ . . . a very readable translation of an important collection of sayings." --Sisters Today
". . . should be on the shelf of every library concentrating in spirituality." --Abba
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
107 of 108 people found the following review helpful
For thirty years now Sister Benedicta Ward's translation of the sayings of 131 of the earliest monastics has served as an indispensable text for English speakers. In addition to her brief foreword and short biographical introductions (when they are known), the book includes simple maps on the inside front and back covers, a short glossary of terms, a chronological table of key events in the development of desert monasticism, a bibliography that is all too short and badly dated, and then two indices of key concepts, people and places. The sayings themselves stand alone without commentary. For contemporary extrapolations one can turn to the fine books by Archbishop Rowan Williams (Where God Happens, 2005) and John Chryssavgis (In the Heart of the Desert, 2003). For more complete primary resources, see the two works by John Cassian (360-435), Institutes and Conferences (900-plus pages), in which Cassian relates what he learned from and about the earliest monastics.
Beginning in the third century, three monastic experiments emerged in Egypt. St. Anthony (251-356), an uneducated Copt, is generally hailed as the father of the hermit monasticism centered in lower Egypt. Thanks to The Life of Saint Anthony by Athanasius, we know as much or more about Anthony than any other of the early ascetics. Other monks cooperated and collaborated in "cenobitic" monasticism. Pachomius (290-347) is generally credited with instigating this communal form of flight to the desert. Finally, in Nitria and Scetis small groups of monks lived near one another under the direction of an elder or "abba." In addition to Egypt, desert monasticism flourished in Syria, Asia Minor and in Palestine.
It's easy to dismiss the eccentricities of a Simon the Stylite (d. 459), who sat atop a fifty-foot pole outside of Antioch for forty years, or the ascetic excesses of food and sleep deprivation, but we honor these saints for their unique experimental spirituality that explored just what the words of Jesus might mean: "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me." They stopped at nothing in "their lifetime of striving to re-direct every aspect of body, mind, and soul to God, and that is what they talked about" (Ward) in these "sayings."
In these sayings we are taught to "expect temptation until your last breath." That means doing battle with one's inner appetites, drives, thoughts, attachments (for example, to wealth) and desires. It also means the further you travel on the Christian journey the more you realize the breadth and depth of the struggle. Consequently, these monastics were above all things modest, non-judgmental, and deeply tender in regard to our human weaknesses. They were reluctant to take Christian office, made the certainty of their death a force for good in life, modest in what they thought they might know about Scripture, eager to keep silent, and appreciative of the diverse ways that each monk worked out his salvation. Ultimately, and in contrast to so much Christian spirituality of today, these desert monastics recommend a "hidden" form of discipleship, the focus of which is the interior geography of the human heart regardless of where they body finds itself. I have found these ancient saints to be wise guides for our contemporary world.
Beginning in the third century, three monastic experiments emerged in Egypt. St. Anthony (251-356), an uneducated Copt, is generally hailed as the father of the hermit monasticism centered in lower Egypt. Thanks to The Life of Saint Anthony by Athanasius, we know as much or more about Anthony than any other of the early ascetics. Other monks cooperated and collaborated in "cenobitic" monasticism. Pachomius (290-347) is generally credited with instigating this communal form of flight to the desert. Finally, in Nitria and Scetis small groups of monks lived near one another under the direction of an elder or "abba." In addition to Egypt, desert monasticism flourished in Syria, Asia Minor and in Palestine.
It's easy to dismiss the eccentricities of a Simon the Stylite (d. 459), who sat atop a fifty-foot pole outside of Antioch for forty years, or the ascetic excesses of food and sleep deprivation, but we honor these saints for their unique experimental spirituality that explored just what the words of Jesus might mean: "Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me." They stopped at nothing in "their lifetime of striving to re-direct every aspect of body, mind, and soul to God, and that is what they talked about" (Ward) in these "sayings."
In these sayings we are taught to "expect temptation until your last breath." That means doing battle with one's inner appetites, drives, thoughts, attachments (for example, to wealth) and desires. It also means the further you travel on the Christian journey the more you realize the breadth and depth of the struggle. Consequently, these monastics were above all things modest, non-judgmental, and deeply tender in regard to our human weaknesses. They were reluctant to take Christian office, made the certainty of their death a force for good in life, modest in what they thought they might know about Scripture, eager to keep silent, and appreciative of the diverse ways that each monk worked out his salvation. Ultimately, and in contrast to so much Christian spirituality of today, these desert monastics recommend a "hidden" form of discipleship, the focus of which is the interior geography of the human heart regardless of where they body finds itself. I have found these ancient saints to be wise guides for our contemporary world.
89 of 92 people found the following review helpful
I first became interested in the writings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers after reading some of the writings of Kathleen Norris. As a Benedictine Oblate, she discovered this rich and varied writing and incorporated parts of their wisdom into her own writings. When I came across THE SAYINGS OF THE DESERT FATHERS, translated by an Anglican nun, Sr. Benedicta Ward, I read it and saw why the writings intrigued people such as Norris and others such as Thomas Merton. The writings included in this work were written by people who fled to the desert to become examples of holiness. Some of their writings were recorded and reveal much about the human condition. Their joys and struggles in such an austere life are the foundation of this book. Other writings can be somewhat difficult to understand in our day and age, but these writings still prove interesting.
The book is organized by individual "Abbas" in alphabetical order (Greek alphabetical order, that is). The sayings are numbered and readers should probably read the sayings individually rather than as a biography. I have found that reading them in conjunction with prayer is helpful. I will usually read the various passages until one sticks with me and leads to reflection. The words can have a certain power to them that can both challenge and encourage a reader. Some sayings may say nothing to a reader, but eventually one will stumble upon something that captures one's attention.
Modern readers will find the wisdom of these ancient Christians thought provoking. Readers get little tidbits about early Christianity and see how many of the challenges to the spiritual life are anything but new. Readers will want to keep certain things in mind when reading this volume. The writers were not writing for a twenty-first century audience. Some of the writings can be brutal, cruel, and in some cases misogynistic. Reading with a historical frame of mind is essential, and by doing so, this ancient wisdom can be very relevant to our day and age.
51 of 53 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
If you enjoy religious mysticism but don't feel a great need to sweat in order to understand it, if you are looking for a piece of beauty and simplicity in this world, if you wnat to know in a straightforward manner, how to rise above: this is the book for you. Accessible, succint, sublime.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great collection of apothegms
All of the main apothegms are here in greek alphabetical order (though all translated to english). Gives a great overview of thought and culture in desert spirituality.
Published 25 days ago by Don
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Difficult Read, But Well Worth Your Time
If you long to know the history of the early Church, this will let you know what some of the early Fathers were like. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Orthodoxy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perennial Wisdom
These sayings of the monks of the early Egyptian Church are a true treasure trove. The path to following Christ in the Gospel is displayed in every sentence.
Published 2 months ago by Samuel C. Urfer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Have
My husband and I are vying to see who will get to read this book first. So far, we have both skimmed it but want to delve into it in much more depth.
Published 5 months ago by Leswerks
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ascetic Wisdom
This is a necessary book for students of theology and for Orthodox monastics and others who feel a need for deeper understanding of the roots of the faith.
Published 5 months ago by Sistren Berhane
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book to meditate upon
My sister asked for this book as a Christmas gift. She uses it in prayer and before the Blessed Sacrament. She loves it. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Big D of VA
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
This book will lead you closer to God. The words speak from a place of simplicity and truth which cuts through the layers of nonsense which we so often fill our lives. Read more
Published 8 months ago by cornutus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is this true?
Through this book, I kept asking myself, Is this actually true? Did these men actually have these amazing spiritual experiences? Read more
Published 12 months ago by David Puleo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
The book is a must read book for all orthodox christians. It is a book that you cannot put down. information wise is what you fine in this book.
Published 13 months ago by Robert Kuchta
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great collection, enlightening wisdom, a couple flaws
This Lent, I decided to read The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, edited by Benedicta Ward, SLG. This alphabetical collection of sayings (not necessarily "wisdom" sayings, but... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Jeffrey Pinyan
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