Sayings and Stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers

Terrence G. Kardong, OSB, (1936–2019), was a monk of Assumption Abbey, Richardton, North Dakota. He served as the editor of The American Benedictine Review, and was the author of many books and articles.

“A wonderful book. The introduction on its own ought to be required reading in all theological schools and for those interested in literature generally. This collection of The Sayings and Stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers (Vol. 1) is an edition that is destined to become a classic standard. To situate his material, Tim Vivian offers a generous and reflective introduction to the desert tradition that is both scintillating in its intellectual brilliance and moving in its spiritual profundity. The scholarly translations are accompanied at every step by commentary and insight that demonstrate Vivian’s fluent mastery and his status as one of the world’s preeminent leaders in the field. It is a book that scholar and student alike will treasure.”V. Revd. Prof. John A. McGuckin, Faculty of Theology, Oxford University

• ContentsPreface by Kathleen Norris    xiiiForeword by Terrence G. Kardong, OS  B    xvAbbreviations    xixTranslator’s Reflection   xxvIntroduction    1I. Prologue with Stories   1II. The Sayings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers(Apophthegmata Patrum)   12III. An Introduction to Some Early Monastic Themes in theApophthegmata Patrum    19IV. Ego & Self: the Awe-filled Rowing towards the True Self    46V. Practices in Transformation    61The Sayings and Stories of the Desert Fathers and MothersPrologue for the Book: About the Ascetic Practices of the Blessed Fathers    89Chapter 1: A / Álpha / A    93Concerning Abba Antony    93Concerning Abba Arsenius    119 Concerning Abba Agathon    147Concerning Abba Ammonas    161Concerning Abba Achilla (Achilles)    168Concerning Abba Ammoë / Ammoës    172Concerning Abba Ammoun of Nitria    174Concerning Abba Anoub    176Concerning Abba Abraham    178Concerning Abba Are    180Concerning Abba Alonius    181Concerning Abba Apphu    182Concerning Abba Apollo    183Concerning Abba Andrew    186Concerning Abba Aïṓ    186Concerning Abba Ammonatha    187Chapter 2: B / Bȇta / B    189Concerning Basil the Great    189Concerning Abba Bessarion    190Concerning Abba Benjamin    197Concerning Abba Biare    198Chapter 3: G / Gámma / Γ    199Concerning Gregory the Theologian    199Concerning Abba Gelasius    200Concerning Abba Gerontius    210Chapter 4: D / Délta / Δ    213Concerning Abba Daniel    213Concerning Abba Dioscorus    221Concerning Abba Doulas    223 Chapter 5: E / Épsilon / E    225Concerning Saint Epiphanius, Bishop of Cyprus    225Concerning Saint Ephraim    231Eucharistus, Who Lived in the World    233Eulogius 235 Concerning Abba Euprepius    238Concerning Abba Helladius   240Concerning Abba Evagrius    241Concerning Abba Eudaemon    246Chapter 6: Z / Zȇta / Z    247Concerning Abba Zenon    247Concerning Abba Zachariah    251Chapter 7: H / Ȇta / Ē    253Concerning Abba Isaiah    253Concerning Abba Elijah    256Concerning Abba Heraclius    258Glossary    261Dramatis Personae    319Selected Bibliography    323Scripture Index    331General Index    343