`Give me a word, Father', visitors to early desert monks asked. The responses of these pioneer ascetics were remembered and in the fourth century written down in Coptic, Syriac, Greek, and later Latin. TheirSayings were collected, in this case in the alphabetical order of the monks and nuns who uttered them, and read by generations of Christians as life-giving words that would help readers along the path to salvation.

About the Author
Benedicta Ward (1933-2022) was a Reader in the History of Christian Spirituality at the University of Oxford. Her most recent book was Anselm of Canterbury: His Life and Legacy (SPCK 2009). She was a member of the Anglican monastic community of the Sisters of the Love of God.

Reviews
. . . the only English translation of the most complete version of the Apophthegmata Patrum, a compilation of sayings from the desert monks of Egypt, Syria, and Palestine in the fourth to sixth century, likely to be widely read and enjoyed for their own sake.Choice
A delightful insight into the lives of ascetics who left all to follow Christ . . . a very readable translation of an important collection of sayings.Sisters Today
. . . should be on the shelf of every library concentrating in spirituality.Abba



Book Information
ISBN 9780879079598
Author Benedicta Ward, SLG
Format Paperback
Page Count 312
Imprint Liturgical Press
Publisher Liturgical Press
Weight(grams) 510g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 140mm * 16mm