Journey Back to Eden: My Life and Times Among the Desert Fathers

by Mark Gruber, M. Michele Ransil (Translator)

An American Benedictine monk chronicles the year he lived among the Coptic monks of Egypt, detailing a mysterious, spiritually challenging world saturated in prayer and silence. Original.

Genres: Christian, Christianity

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly fascinating read. Mark Gruber allows us to journey with him through the monasteries of Egypt, where desert monasticism and all modern monasticism began. The unique monasticism of the contemporary Coptic monks gives you a glimpse of the earliest desert Fathers still being lived out today. Gruber is an excellent writer/narrator, both transparent and sincere. i really enjoyed being able to see the genuine humanity of the desert monks through his eyes.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved walking this journey with the Benedictine! I would love to go to Egypt some day and meet some of the Copts in the book. I did not realize that Islamic people in the areas surrounding the monasteries would come for exorcisms or invite the monks to perform these ceremonies in their homes. I see the Coptic faith as an abundant and fruitful reflection of and interaction with the hypostatic (?) union. Well done Sir Gruber!

[Ann Gaston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Gruber went to Egypt to do research for his doctorate. He spent a year with the Coptic monks of a variety of communities. What an incredible journey. How Christians and Moslems live together and at times help one another in their very different faiths brings the term ecumenical to mind. The challenge of living in the desert. I have been to Egypt and loved hearing about places I have been and ones I haven't. The wisdom of the desert is incredible and I truly recommend this book.