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The Sayings of the Holy Desert Fathers
These are the words or sayings, of various monks who lived in the deserts of Egypt between 250 A.D. and 400 A.D. They cover topics such as love, poverty, fasting, humility, and prayer. Two books of sayings are included as well as an appendix of questions between monks disciples and their spiritual fathers.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2016
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About the author
Palladius of Galatia
36 books9 followersPalladius (greek Παλλάδιος) of Galatia, also known as Palladius of Helenopolis or Palladius of Aspuna or simply Palladius, was bishop of Helenopolis in Bithynia, and a devoted disciple of Saint John Chrysostom. He is best remembered for his work, the Lausiac History; he was also, in all probability, the author of the Dialogue on the Life of Chrysostom.
Palladius was born in Galatia in 363 or 364, and dedicated himself to the monastic life in 386 or a little later. He travelled to Egypt to meet the prototypical Christian monks, the Desert Fathers, for himself. In 388 he arrived in Alexandria and about 390 he passed on to Nitria, and a year later to a district in the desert known as Cellia, from the multitude of its cells, where he spent nine years, first with Macarius of Alexandria and then with Evagrius Ponticus. At the end of the time, his health having broken down, he went to Palestine in search of a cooler climate. In 400 he was ordained bishop of Helenopolis in Bithynia, and soon became involved in the controversies which centred round St. John Chrysostom. The year 405 found him in Rome, whither he had gone to plead the cause of Chrysostom, his fidelity to whom resulted in his exile in the following year to Syene and the Thebaid, where he gained first-hand knowledge of another part of Egypt. In 412–413 he was restored, after a sojourn among the monks of the Mount of Olives. His great work was written in 419–420 and was called the Lausiac History, being composed for Lausus, chamberlain at the court of Theodosius II. He died some time in the decade 420–430.
Not to be confused with Rutilius Taurus Aemilianus Palladius, who is also reffered as Palladius.
Palladius was born in Galatia in 363 or 364, and dedicated himself to the monastic life in 386 or a little later. He travelled to Egypt to meet the prototypical Christian monks, the Desert Fathers, for himself. In 388 he arrived in Alexandria and about 390 he passed on to Nitria, and a year later to a district in the desert known as Cellia, from the multitude of its cells, where he spent nine years, first with Macarius of Alexandria and then with Evagrius Ponticus. At the end of the time, his health having broken down, he went to Palestine in search of a cooler climate. In 400 he was ordained bishop of Helenopolis in Bithynia, and soon became involved in the controversies which centred round St. John Chrysostom. The year 405 found him in Rome, whither he had gone to plead the cause of Chrysostom, his fidelity to whom resulted in his exile in the following year to Syene and the Thebaid, where he gained first-hand knowledge of another part of Egypt. In 412–413 he was restored, after a sojourn among the monks of the Mount of Olives. His great work was written in 419–420 and was called the Lausiac History, being composed for Lausus, chamberlain at the court of Theodosius II. He died some time in the decade 420–430.
Not to be confused with Rutilius Taurus Aemilianus Palladius, who is also reffered as Palladius.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 21, 2023
I really don’t know what to make of these sayings. Some are wise and timeless. Others are so far off from the accepted understanding of the Holy Scriptures that they are heretical in the literal sense of the word. And some sayings are simply beyond me.
It’s worth the effort even though at times it is a bit tedious and cumbersome, maybe even pedantic.
It’s worth the effort even though at times it is a bit tedious and cumbersome, maybe even pedantic.
August 29, 2021
Ageless insight. Ageless wisdom, unless human nature changes. Some stuff is specific for Christian monks of that time and place with not that much value for these days (but its raw form has its charm), but there are universal insights that hermits got independently of religion (many of the holy fathers sayings resembles zen monks sayings).
October 6, 2023
A beautiful collection of sayings, dialogues and stories from early Christian ascetics and mystics of the first few centuries of Christianity--men (and women too) who left "the world" to go out into the desert wilderness in imitation of the life of Jesus Christ.
Not only did these "... [see the rest on my book review site.]
Not only did these "... [see the rest on my book review site.]
April 17, 2020
Spiritual Eyes to the Soul
Beautiful sayings for a thirsty soul. I started reading this little booklet and couldn't put it down. It opens the spirit to the fruits of the spirit and then some.
Beautiful sayings for a thirsty soul. I started reading this little booklet and couldn't put it down. It opens the spirit to the fruits of the spirit and then some.
January 9, 2026
in a world where faith is often defined by feelings and modern "feel good" Christianity, this is a must read for the spiritual life. the wisdom of the Desert Fathers was a major factor in my conversion, and i hope it will also be for anyone reading this :).
April 2, 2023
This book discusses about the monastic life, and spiritual practices of Coptic Orthodox Christians in around 4th to 5th century AD. It contains sayings, stories, advices, and rebukes that the monks used to teach their disciples and the community of people around them.
From the father of monks: Saint Anthony, to the Ethiopian: Saint Moses the Black, the book contains many popular saints venerated in the Oriental Orthodox Church. Reading the book made me realize how far I stand in relation to our fathers regarding Christian ethics, humility, and devotion to God.
Self control is one of the most important aspects discussed in the book. Understanding that it requires patient persistence to govern one’s body is emphasized repeatedly throughout the book. Using tools that God gave as such as fasting, praying, sharing, and laboring is important to advance in this regard. “They said that Dioscorus of Namisias made his bread out of barley, and his soup out of lentils. Every year he made one particular resolution: either not to meet anyone for a year, or not to speak, or not to taste cooked food, or not to eat any fruit, or not to eat vegetables. This was his system in everything. He made himself master of one thing, and then started on another, and so on each year.”
Another essential fruit one should posses is humility. “St. Antony also said, I saw the devil’s snares set all over the earth, and I groaned and said, What can pass through them? I heard a voice saying, ‘Humility’. “ It thought me that we should always remember that we can’t get into heaven with only our deeds, rather with infinite kindness from God. A humble person is one that remembers his sins everyday, and begs God for mercy. This is a rebuke for me the sinner and for our generation which loves to boast itself, and continually give and receive praise.
“The devil appeared to a monk disguised as an angel of light, and said to him, ‘I am the angel Gabriel, and I have been sent to you.’ But the monk said, ‘Are you sure you weren’t sent to someone else? I am not worthy to have an angel sent to me.’ At that the devil vanished.”
The fathers also emphasized on love, particularly the love of humans to each other, and to God. It’s mentioned in the book that in order to love God, first we need to love our brothers and sisters who live in this world with us. We usually forget that love is an action and a way of life rather than a mere word. Being hospitable, acquiring patience, struggling and sharing others pain, puting oneself in others shoes, and forgiving mistakes are some of the practical ways we learn to love others.
“One day when Abba John was going up to Scetis with some other brothers, their guide lost his way for it was night-time. So the brothers said to Abba John, ‘What shall we do, abba, in order not to die wandering about, for the brother has lost the way?’ The old man said to them, ‘If we speak to him, he will be filled with grief and shame. But look here, I will pretend to be ill and say I cannot walk anymore; then we can stay here till the dawn.’ This he did. The others said, ‘We will not go on either, but we will stay with you.’ They sat there until the dawn, and in this way they did not upset the brother.”
From the father of monks: Saint Anthony, to the Ethiopian: Saint Moses the Black, the book contains many popular saints venerated in the Oriental Orthodox Church. Reading the book made me realize how far I stand in relation to our fathers regarding Christian ethics, humility, and devotion to God.
Self control is one of the most important aspects discussed in the book. Understanding that it requires patient persistence to govern one’s body is emphasized repeatedly throughout the book. Using tools that God gave as such as fasting, praying, sharing, and laboring is important to advance in this regard. “They said that Dioscorus of Namisias made his bread out of barley, and his soup out of lentils. Every year he made one particular resolution: either not to meet anyone for a year, or not to speak, or not to taste cooked food, or not to eat any fruit, or not to eat vegetables. This was his system in everything. He made himself master of one thing, and then started on another, and so on each year.”
Another essential fruit one should posses is humility. “St. Antony also said, I saw the devil’s snares set all over the earth, and I groaned and said, What can pass through them? I heard a voice saying, ‘Humility’. “ It thought me that we should always remember that we can’t get into heaven with only our deeds, rather with infinite kindness from God. A humble person is one that remembers his sins everyday, and begs God for mercy. This is a rebuke for me the sinner and for our generation which loves to boast itself, and continually give and receive praise.
“The devil appeared to a monk disguised as an angel of light, and said to him, ‘I am the angel Gabriel, and I have been sent to you.’ But the monk said, ‘Are you sure you weren’t sent to someone else? I am not worthy to have an angel sent to me.’ At that the devil vanished.”
The fathers also emphasized on love, particularly the love of humans to each other, and to God. It’s mentioned in the book that in order to love God, first we need to love our brothers and sisters who live in this world with us. We usually forget that love is an action and a way of life rather than a mere word. Being hospitable, acquiring patience, struggling and sharing others pain, puting oneself in others shoes, and forgiving mistakes are some of the practical ways we learn to love others.
“One day when Abba John was going up to Scetis with some other brothers, their guide lost his way for it was night-time. So the brothers said to Abba John, ‘What shall we do, abba, in order not to die wandering about, for the brother has lost the way?’ The old man said to them, ‘If we speak to him, he will be filled with grief and shame. But look here, I will pretend to be ill and say I cannot walk anymore; then we can stay here till the dawn.’ This he did. The others said, ‘We will not go on either, but we will stay with you.’ They sat there until the dawn, and in this way they did not upset the brother.”
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews