The Conferences of Desert Fathers

by John Cassian, Aeterna Press

THE obligation, which was promised to the blessed Pope Castor in the preface to those volumes which with God’s help I composed in twelve books on the Institutes of the Coenobia, and the remedies for the eight principal faults, has now been, as far as my feeble ability permitted, satisfied. I should certainly like to see what was the opinion fairly arrived at on this work both by his judgment and yours, whether, on a matter so profound and so lofty, and one which has never yet been made the subject of a treatise, we have produced anything worthy of your notice, and of the eager desire of all the holy brethren. But now as the aforesaid Bishop has left us and departed to Christ, meanwhile these ten Conferences of the grandest of the fathers, viz., the Anchorites who dwelt in the desert of Scete, which he, fired with an incomparable desire for saintliness, had bidden me write for him in the same style (not considering the greatness of his affection, what a burden he placed on shoulders too weak to bear it)— these Conferences I have thought good to dedicate to you in particular, O blessed Pope, Leontius, and the holy brother Helladius.

Genres: Theology

452 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 2015

About the author

Saint John Cassian was a monk and theologian. Born in the region of Scythia Minor (today's Romania and Bulgaria). As a member of wealthy family he received a good classical education (he was bilingual, knew Latin and Greek). Died in Marseille in 435. Celebrated in both the Western and Eastern Churches for his mystical writings. Cassian is noted for bringing the ideas and practices of Egyptian monasticism to the early medieval West. Influenced St. Benedict, who included many of Cassian's principles into his monastic rule.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journal of 4th century monks who journey from their monastery in Syria to gain wisdom from the elders in Egypt, the home of monasticism. This book is broken down into small chapters and paragraphs as the monks travel throughout Egypt asking various monks questions so that they can return to Syria and share this new knowledge with their fellow monks. So the focus is monasticism. However, like any book on the Saints or Church Fathers, there is always relevant wisdom for people "in the world" and in any century. It is incredibly thorough and easy to read.

I only gave it 4 stars because I think there are better books to start with for non-monastics. I would recommend:
Dorotheos of Gaza: Discourses and Sayings as a good starting point for Church Father writings.
Or
The Epistles of Saint Paisios.

[Kağan Işık · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loads of rubbish but must admit it is a good bok