The Sayings of the Holy Desert Fathers Audiobook By Saint Palladius cover art

The Sayings of the Holy Desert Fathers

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The Sayings of the Holy Desert Fathers

By: Saint Palladius
Narrated by: James Walmsley
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About this listen

These are the words or sayings (Apophthegmata), of various monks (the abbas, i.e. fathers) 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, and there is usually a short story that gives the context of the sayings. These sayings are one of the few surviving records of the first monks such as St. Anthony the Great and St. Pachomius, who followed a strict way of life that usually consisted of plaiting baskets from palms leaves, singing psalms and rarely eating while living in the harsh Scete desert of Egypt.

Their sole aim was to draw closer to God through their labours. Their sayings became a classic throughout the Eastern and Western Christian world, and are still regularly read in monasteries at mealtimes. This volume is made up of two books of sayings, as well as an appendix of questions posed by desert monks to their spiritual fathers.

©2016 London: Chatto & Windus (P)2021 Steven Burger
Church & Church Leadership
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Short sayings

Memorable to listen to. I really enjoyed it on the go in NYC, so much insight

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the best book ever

For those on the spiritual path, this is one of the best books ever compiled. it is illuminating, thought provoking, and challenging.

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Absolutely foundational

Essential reading for any Christian. After the Bible, begin here. These stories are the building blocks for Christendom.

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2 people found this helpful

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a good view and first hand account

beware that this is not for a general, or "sons of the city" audience

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Challenging.

They lived such different, extreme, and difficult lives that I feel worse about my own righteousness and hopefully I will be more humble as a Christian.

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So happy to see on Audible

A must read forever young man of Christian faith particularly of the Orthodox Christian faith.

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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).

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Excellent

May God grant me the grace to aspire to imitate these great ancestors!
Death to the World

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desert fathers

amazing narration and great audio quality. early Orthodox Christian writings . glory to God thank you for this book very very helpful

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Brilliant narration

There are few audiobooks that I have listened to repeatedly as I have this one. The content is remarkable. This is a profoundly spiritual and engaging book of sayings of the desert fathers brought to life by a gifted narrator.

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