About the Book
The Sayings and Stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers offers a new translation of the Greek alphabetical Apophthegmata Patrum, The Sayings of the Desert Fathers. For the first time in an English translation, this volume provides:
extensive background and contextual notes
significant variant readings in the alphabetical manuscripts and textual differences vis-à-vis the systematic and anonymous Apophthegmata
reference notes to both quotations from Scriptures and the many allusions to Scripture in the sayings and stories.
In addition, there is an extensive glossary that offers information and further resources on people, places, and significant monastic vocabulary. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of the desert tradition.
Table of Contents:
Contents
Preface by Tim Vivian xv
Foreword by Rick Kennedy xxi
Abbreviations xxvii
A Thematic Introduction xxxv
The Sayings and Stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers
Chapter 8: Th / Thȇta / θ 3
Concerning Abba Theodore of Pherme 3
Concerning Abba Theodore of the Enaton 15
Concerning Abba Theodore of Scetis 16
Concerning Abba Theodore of Eleutheropolis 16
Concerning Abba Theodotus 17
Concerning Abba Theonas 18
Concerning Archbishop Theophilus 18
Concerning Amma Theodora 23
Chapter 9: I / Iȏta / I 31
Concerning Abba John the Little 31
Concerning John the Cenobite 57
Concerning Abba Isidore (of Scetis) 57
Concerning Abba Isidore of Pelusium 62
Concerning Abba Isaac, the Priest of the Cells 64
Concerning Abba Joseph of Panephysis 68
Concerning Abba James (Jacob) 73
Concerning Abba Hierax 75
Concerning Abba John the Eunuch 75
Concerning Abba John of the Cells 77
Concerning Abba Isidore the Priest 78
Concerning Abba John the Persian 80
Concerning Abba John of Thebes 83
Concerning Abba John the Disciple of Abba Paul 83
Concerning Abba Isaac of Thebes 84
Concerning Abba Joseph of Thebes 86
Concerning Abba Hilarion 87
Concerning Abba Ischyrion 87
Chapter 10: K / Káppa / K 89
Concerning Abba Cassian 89
Concerning Abba Cronius 95
Concerning Abba Carion 99
Concerning Abba Kopri 102
Concerning Abba Cyrus of Alexandria 103
Chapter 11: L / Lámbda / Λ 105
Concerning Abba Lucius 105
Concerning Abba Lot 106
Concerning Abba Longinus 108
Chapter 12: M / Mȗ / M 113
Concerning Abba Macarius of Egypt 113
Concerning Abba Moses 144
Concerning Abba Matoës 155
Concerning Abba Mark, the Disciple of Abba Silvanus 161
Concerning Abba Milesius 164
Concerning Abba Motios 167
Concerning Abba Megethius 169
Concerning Abba Mios 171
Concerning Abba Mark the Egyptian 173
Concerning Abba Macarius of Alexandria 175
Chapter 13: N / Nȗ / N 177
Concerning Abba Neilos 177
Concerning Abba Nestheros (the Great) 179
Concerning Abba Nestheros the Cenobite 182
Concerning Abba Nikon 183
Concerning Abba Natera 185
Concerning Abba Nicetas 186
Chapter 14: X / Xȋ / Ξ 189
Concerning Abba Xoïos 189
Concerning Abba Xanthias 191
Chapter 15: O / ho mikrón / O 193
Concerning Abba Olympius 193
Concerning Abba Horsisius 195
Chapter 16: P / Peȋ / Π 203
Concerning Abba Poemen 203
Appendix: Sayings of Abba Poemen 266
Concerning Abba Pambo 271
Concerning Abba Pistos 276
Concerning Abba Pior 278
Concerning Abba Pityrion 280
Concerning Abba Pistamon 280
Concerning Abba Peter the Pionite 281
Concerning Abba Paphnutius 283
Concerning Abba Paul 287
Concerning Abba Paul the Barber 288
Concerning Abba Paul the Great 288
Concerning Blessed Paul the Sincere 289
Concerning Abba Peter of Dios 294
Chapter 17: R / Rȏ / P 295
Concerning the Abba from Rome 295
Concerning Abba Rufus 299
Concerning Abba Romanus 301
Chapter 18: S / Sígma (Sȋgma) / Σ 303
Concerning Abba Sisoës 303
Concerning Abba Silvanus 320
Concerning Abba Simon 324
Concerning Abba Sopatros 325
Concerning Abba Sarmatas 326
Concerning Abba Serapion 327
Concerning Abba Serinos 330
Concerning Abba Spyridon 330
Concerning Abba Saïo 332
Concerning Amma Sarah 333
Concerning Amma Syncletica 336
Chapter 19: T / Taȗ / T 357
Concerning Abba Tithoës 357
Concerning Abba Timothy 359
Chapter 20: U / Upsilón / Y 361
Concerning Abba Hyperechius 361
Chapter 21: Ph / Phȋ / Φ 365
Concerning Abba Phocas 365
Concerning Abba Felix 368
Concerning Abba Philagrios 368
Concerning Abba Phortas 369
Chapter 22: Ch / Xȋ / X 371
Concerning Abba Chomai 371
Concerning Abba Cheremon 371
Chapter 23: Ps / Psȋ / Ψ 373
Concerning Abba Psenthaḯsios 373
Chapter 24: Ō / Ōméga / Ω 375
Concerning Abba Ṓr 375
Glossary 381
Dramatis Personae 475
Selected Bibliography 491
Scripture Index 505
General Index 521
About the Author :
Tim Vivian is professor emeritus of religious studies at California State University Bakersfield and a retired priest in the Episcopal Church. In 2018, he received an honorary doctorate of divinity from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP, Episcopal) for his scholarship and work for social justice. He has published numerous books, articles, and book reviews on early Christian monasticism, including, with Cistercian Publications, The Life of Antony, Words to Live By, The Holy Workshop of Virtue, and BecomingFire.
Review :
"Speaking to us over a distance of some 1700 years, Tim Vivian continues to bring to life the profound but truly human stories and personalities of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. With his fresh translation and extensive footnotes and commentary, this volume, like the first, provides nourishment for the mind and spirit and transports us to an exciting new place that is strangely compelling! 'For those who are capable of understanding these words and keeping them, there is joy and great profit' (Barsanuphius of Gaza)."
Lisa Agaiby, St. Athanasius College, University of Divinity
"In our time of division, fear, and constant moving, the desert mothers and fathers tell us otherwise. Sit in your place/cell. Don't run here and there. Tim Vivian's lucid translations and discerning commentary brings us the life-giving wisdom of these early monastics, a tremendous gift. We are in their debt, and his!"
The Rev. Michael Plekon, PhD, Professor Emeritus, The City University of New York - Baruch College
"The early ascetics spoke of direction and signposts along the spiritual way. I could think of no better guide in the 'sayings and stories' of the desert fathers and mothers than Tim Vivian. With meticulous veneration and observation, Vivian helps put together fundamental pieces of that distinctive, albeit intriguing puzzle of the fourth- and fifth-century Apophthegmata in a way that brings them to life for our admiration, education, and emulation in the twenty-first century."
John Chryssavgis, author of In the Heart of the Desert and Desert Wisdom for Everyday Life
"First-rate scholarship paired with a contemporary idiom. These enigmatic, provocative, and deeply perceptive 'sayings' of the Desert Christians come to life in Tim Vivian’s work. Like reading graffiti on a subway wall and pondering the wisdom of the ages at the same time. The desert weaves through these pages with characteristic ferocity and unexpected compassion. I love it."
Belden C. Lane, author of The Solace of Fierce Landscapes: Exploring Desert and Mountain Spirituality
“Tim Vivian has accomplished something extraordinary: a technical translation that is also user-friendly for those studying the early Christian movement. He has enriched this resource with his discussions around important early monastic/desert themes; footnotes that often provide more than technical information; and his excursuses. This is a great resource. I highly recommend it.”
Laura Swan, OSB, author of The Forgotten Desert Mothers
“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 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
"Tim Vivian’s translation of The Sayings and Stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers offers both scholarly and pastoral insights using contemporary language. The annotations provide valuable revelations into the abstruse aphorisms, rendering it an essential resource for scholars and seekers alike. Vivian emphasizes the practical application of the sagacious wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers in everyday life, making it an indispensable volume for spiritual leaders seeking a profound understanding of early Christian spirituality."
Father Macarius Refela, Presbyter, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles and Hawaii
"This second volume along with its companion is very welcome and surely has a place in monasteries throughout the world."
The Downside Review
"If one wants to really dig into these stories, and make sense of them in their context—interwoven with scripture, theology, and history—Vivian’s work is absolutely essential."
Englewood Review of Books
"This two-volume work is a treasure chest, the riches of which are immense. Vivian's work is undoubtedly the new gold standard for scholars who are researching the desert monastics. It is an essential work of scholarship that should be in every theological library, and the personal library of every scholar interested in Early Christianity."
Englewood Review of Books
"Tim Vivian has provided in his two volumes enough food for thought, and for prayer, to reward multiple encounters with this classic of early Christian spirituality that both casts light on its own period and provides wisdom and insight on perennial blessings and challenges of a life of committed discipleship in every age."
Catholic Books Review
"Tim Vivian's decades of reading, translating, and interpreting early monastic literature come to fruition in this outstanding two-volume translation of the Greek alphabetical collection of the Apophthegmata Patrum. It is now the best English translation available, whether reading the collection as a historian engaged in research, seeking the spiritual wisdom of ancient ascetics, or a mix of both. Take up, read, and be transformed."
Anglican and Episcopal History
"It is now the best English translation available, whether reading the collection as a historian engaged in research, seeking the spiritual wisdom of ancient ascetics, or a mix of both. Sayings and Stories presents a fluent, readable, and accurate translation and multiple aids to assist the reader. Take up, read, and be transformed!"
Anglican and Episcopal History
