Hello. Long story short, after reading some history and going through family history, I become interested in Orthodox. I eventually came across The Desert Fathers and became quite interested. With that said, I have very little Christian-based background but wish to learn more. Can anyone suggest a great place to start or some materials?

Thank you.

Hesychia is a general-purpose community for Orthodox Christians. Think of this as a digital coffee hour, where you can chat about anything from your dog eating your shoes to deep theological concepts. Whether just learning about Orthodoxy or the bishop of an Orthodox diocese, or if you're just looking to talk, you're more than welcome here.

https://discord.gg/JDHNxXb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1_78eLjaB8

The trials of St. Anthony the Great (251-356 AD), as described in St. Athanasius's Life and the medieval Golden Legend, have been a favorite subject of Western artists since the Middle Ages. Anthony, a desert monk, was frequently assaulted by Satan, who when he could not win by normal temptations, sent his demons in the form of wild beasts, beautiful women, soldiers and even monks to torment and distract the Desert Father.

Artists have long been fascinated with these episodes, finding in them an opportunity for the most outlandish feats of imagination. In this episode, Catholic art historian Elizabeth Lev traces the development of this artistic subject from the Middle Ages on, with special attention to the phantasmagorical work of Hieronymous Bosch. From Bosch we proceed through the intervening centuries to the modern era, where this theme was taken up again but perhaps not in the most edifying spirit.

In this podcast (the YouTube version of which includes images of the paintings), the first 40 minutes or so are spent introducing the story of St. Anthony and examining some early medieval depictions as well as later ones which focus heavily on his traditional attributes. Then we take off with the increasingly complex depictions of Anthony's demonic trials, starting with Bosch, examine various early modern variations, and conclude with the nightmarish (yet spiritually distinct) visions of Max Ernst and Salvador Dali.

Our audiobook of St. Athanasius’s Life of St. Anthony https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-athanasius-life-st-anthony-full/

Podcast on St. Anthony’s life and legacy as one of the Church Fathers https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/anthony-desert-solitary-celebrity

A brother questioned Abba Euprepius about his life.

The old man said: 'Eat straw, wear straw, sleep on straw: that is to say, depise everything and acquire for yourself a heart of iron.'

A brother who shared a lodging with other brothers asked Abba Bessarion: 'What should I do?'

The old man replied: 'Keep silence and do not compare yourself with others.'

I'm a 24 year old Christian who wants to study the Desert Fathers more due to the Roman Catholic Church coming into existence partly because of these holy men and their sayings about God and the Christian religion in general.

I'm also seeing similarities between The Jedi Order from Star Wars and the philosophies of the East as explained by people like Alan Watts in the 20th century.

Here is what I have on my list so far...

John Michael Talbot - Desert Dangers and Delights: Stories, Teachings, and Sources.

Henri J.M. Nouwen - The Way of The Heart

The Lives of the Desert Fathers: Historia Monachorum in Aegypto (Cistercian Studies No. 34) (Volume 34)

Thomas Merton - The Wisdom of The Desert

The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection

What are some other important books that I am missing from this list?

Are their ways that I can learn more about The Desert Fathers though watching a documentary on them?

Heck, John Michael did an entire episode of All Things are Possible about these guys.

Are their also authors similar to Merton and Watts who use the example of The Desert Fathers to find "common ground" between Early Christianity/Catholicism and Hinduism & Buddhism such as Thich Nhat Hanh's book Living Buddha, Living Christ?

Hello,

I just wanted to let you know about an audiobook podcast I produce, with works of the Church Fathers and other great Christian works read by a trained voice actor. In particular, we have recently put out a reading "On Self-Accusation" by St. Dorotheus of Gaza: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-dorotheus-gaza-on-self-accusation/

We also have done St. Athanasius's Life of St. Anthony, which you can find here: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/audiobook_authors_titles.cfm

Note that to access all of the parts of the latter work, you'll have to sign up (for free) on our website, as only the most recent 15 episodes of the podcast at any given time are available without signing up.

I hope you find some benefit in our work.

God bless you!

The nature of water is soft, that of stone is hard; but if a bottle is hung above the stone, allowing the water to fall drop by drop, it wears away the stone. So it is with the word of God; it is soft and our heart is hard,⁵ but the man who hears the word of God often, opens his heart to God.

"There are many who live in the mountains and behave as if they were in town, and they are wasting their time. It is possible to be a solitary in one’s mind while living in a crowd, and it is possible for one who is a solitary to live in the crowd of his own thoughts.”

When we turn our spirit from the contemplation of God, we become the slaves of carnal passions.

I may be wrong but I think nothing needs so much effort as prayer to God. If anyone wants to pray, the demons try to interrupt the prayer, for they know that prayer is the only thing that hinders them. All the other efforts in a religious life, whether they are made vehemently or gently, have room for a measure of rest. But we need to pray till our dying breath. That is the great struggle.

"If you observe the following, you can be saved: Be joyful at all times, pray without ceasing and give thanks for all things.”

"Why, words, did I let you get out? I have often been sorry that I have spoken, never that I have been silent."

If the Desert Fathers were isolated in the desert does that mean they not receive Holy Communion very frequently?

“This (patient endurance) is the queen of virtues, the foundation of virtue, a haven of tranquility. It is peace in time of war, calm in rough waters, safety amidst treachery and danger. It makes those who practice it stronger than steel. No weapons or brandished bows, no turbulent troops or advancing siege engines, no flying spears or arrows can shake it. Not even the host of evil spirits, not the dark array of hostile powers, nor the devil himself standing by with all his armies and devices will have power to injure the man or woman who has acquired this virtue through Christ.”

• St Nilus of Ancyra

23. Abba Poemen said, 'If a man has sinned and denies it, saying: "I have not sinned," do not reprimand him; for that will discourage him. But say to him, "Do not lose heart, brother, but be on guard in the future," and you will stir his soul to repentance.'

‘The acquisition of Christian books is necessary for those who can use them. For the mere sight of these books renders us less inclined to sin, and incites us to believe more firmly in righteousness.’

He also said, ‘Reading the Scriptures is a great safeguard against sin.’

Just wanted to ask permission since I noticed there's usually just one guy posting sayings.

Thought I'd get this sub active again by posting as well?

1. When the holy Abba Anthony lived in the desert he was beset by accidie, and attacked by many sinful thoughts. He said to God, 'Lord, I want to be saved but these thoughts do not leave me alone; what shall I do in my affliction? How can I be saved? A short while afterwards, when he got up to go out, Anthony saw a man like himself sitting at his work, getting up from his work to pray, then sitting down and plaiting a rope, then getting up again to pray. It was an angel of the Lord sent to correct and reassure him. He heard the angel saying to him, 'Do this and you will be saved.' At these words, Anthony was filled with joy and courage. He did this, and he was saved.

Link: http://nclpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_094oCdd59y4CdZX

I'm currently undertaking a final year project at Newcastle university in the UK. This study is looking at how we as individuals perceive the world around us, how our subjective thoughts interact with the objective world and to what degree is the experiences of oneself connected to the experiences of others.

This questionnaire should take around 20 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey you will have the option to put your email down to enter a raffle for a £30 amazon gift voucher!

If you have any queries don't hesitate to contact me at D.kaye@ncl.ac.uk. I'll also be able to respond to any queries on here as well

The brother said to himself, "Joyfully accept bitter trials, that they may violently shake you but for a little, and that afterward you may be sweetened. Woe to you and your foul-smelling glory, for you have left your soul uncondemned, though she is full of every sin, and you have condemned others in word and thought."