The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Wonderful collection of the sayings of the Desert Fathers (and Mothers). The 'Sayings' are arranged topically. The material included in this volume include parables, stories, legends, wise sayings, dialogues and visions. The diversity of the material is matched only by the diversity of the desert monks themselves. Some of them are cranky and legalistic people. Others are graceful but strange, and some are friendly and hospitable. There is a lot in this volume that is thought provoking about the life of prayer. I think if you read it, you would definitely find something to enjoy about these strange saints.

The wisdom that is in these sayings is profound and well worth delving into. The sayings of mostly Desert Fathers, with some Mothers are arranged alphabetically and though short in content, they give us much food for thought. Many sayings are counter to our earthly wisdo

The wisdom that is in these sayings is profound and well worth delving into. The sayings of mostly Desert Fathers, with some Mothers are arranged alphabetically and though short in content, they give us much food for thought. Many sayings are counter to our earthly wisdom. Take one from Amma Theodora who said that “neither aestheticism, nor vigils nor any kind of suffering are able to save, only true humility can do that. There was an anchorite who was able to banish the demons; and he asked them, ‘What makes you go away? Is it fasting?’ They replied, "We do not eat or drink." ‘Is it vigils?’ they replied, “We do not sleep.” ‘Is it separation from the world?’ ‘We live in the deserts.’ “What power sends you away show more then?” They said, ‘Nothing can overcome us, but only humility.’ Do you see how humility is victorious over the demons?” show less

Best of the early Christian writings. As far as I'm concern these should be in the canon. Mandatory for anyone even remotely interested in the early church, monasticism, as well as those who want to mature their faith.

This version is more complete than Waddell's, which first introduced me to the Desert Fathers. Both versions convey the intense spirituality of the desert experience.

> A. Guillaumont. J.-C. Guy. Paroles des anciens. Apophtegmes des Pères du désert ; B. Ward. The Sayings of the Desert Fathers ; L. Regnault. Les sentences des Pères du désert, III ; J. G. Freire. Commonitiones Sanctorum Patrum.
In: Revue de l'histoire des religions, tome 194, n°2, 1978. pp. 204-206. … ; (en ligne),
URL : https://www.persee.fr/doc/rhr_0035-1423_1978_num_194_2_6788