Sogdian Christian copy of the Text Written in Syriac.

The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Latin: Apophthegmata Patrum Aegyptiorum; Greek: ἀποφθέγματα τῶν πατέρων, romanized: Apophthégmata tōn Patérōn[1])[2] is the name given to various textual collections consisting of stories and sayings attributed to the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers from approximately the 5th century AD.[3][4]

The collections consist of wisdom stories describing the spiritual practices and experiences of early Christian hermits living in the desert of Egypt. They are typically in the form of a conversation between a younger monk and his spiritual father, or as advice given to visitors. Beginning as an oral tradition in the Coptic language, they were only later written down as Greek text. The stories were extremely popular among early Christian monks, and appeared in various forms and collections.[5]

The original sayings were passed down from monk to monk, though in their current version most simply describe the stories in the form of "Abba X said...." The early Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers also received many visitors seeking counseling, typically by asking "Give me a word, abba" or "Speak a word, amma, how can I be saved?" Some of the sayings are responses to those seeking guidance.[6]

Many notable Desert Fathers are mentioned in the collections, including Anthony the Great, Abba Arsenius, Abba Poemen, Abba Macarius of Egypt, and Abba Moses the Black.[7] The sayings also include those of three different ammas, or Desert Mothers, most notably Syncletica of Alexandria.[6] Sayings of the Desert Fathers influenced many notable theologians, including Saint Jerome and Saint Augustine.[8]

History of the text

The Desert Fathers spoke Coptic, the latest stage of ancient Egyptian. The sayings were originally passed on orally in Coptic, but the original written version was Greek.[9] The earliest written record of the sayings appears to be from the end of the 4th century AD. Two versions from the 5th century, the Collectio Monastica, written in Ethiopic, and the Asceticon of Isaiah of Scetis, written in Greek, show how the oral tradition became the written collections.[5] There are surviving fragments of the Sayings in both the Sahidic and Bohairic dialects of Coptic, but they represent back-translations from Greek. They were collected and published by Marius Chaîne.[5]

The Sayings have been translated in whole or in part several times. Pelagius and John the Deacon made the first translations into Latin. Martin of Braga also translated some of the Sayings into Latin, followed by a more extensive translation by Paschasius of Dumium in approximately 555.[10] That work may contain only one fifth of the original Greek text.[11] In the 17th century, the Dutch Jesuit Heribert Rosweyde compiled and translated all the available sources on the Desert Fathers and published them in Latin as the Vitae patrum.

Two translations in Aramaic were made: the Nestorian monk Ânân Îshô's translation into Classical Syriac from the early 7th century, known as the Paradise of the Fathers; and a Christian Palestinian Aramaic translation known from dispersed fragments for the early transmission (6th to 7th century AD)[12] as well as a fragmentary version for the later period (ca. 10th to 11th century AD), originating from or still housed at the Monastery of St Catherine, Mount Sinai[13][14][15] There are also Armenian translations of both the Alphabetical and Systematic collections.[5] In the period 867–872, Methodius of Thessaloniki translated the text into Old Church Slavonic, of which the original was lost in the 14th century, but several dozen copies of the Paterik' (Патерікъ) survived.[16] Some of the Sayings are preserved in Arabic and Georgian translations.[5] Through the Asceticon, some of the Sayings made their way into Sogdian.[17]

Helen Waddell translated a selection of elements from the Vitae patrum into English in the early 20th century.[18] The first complete translation of the alphabetical "apophthegmata" into English is that of Benedicta Ward (1975).[19] English translations of the alphabetical,[20] systematic,[21] and anonymous collections[22] were also later published by John Wortley from 2012 to 2014. The most comprehensive critical edition of the alphabetical "apophthegmata" was published by Tim Vivian in two volumes (2021, 2023).[23][24]

Examples

  • One time, the blessed Abba Theophilus the archbishop went to Scetis. But the brothers gathered and said to Abba Pambo: 'Tell the Father one word that he may benefit.' The old man told them: 'If he does not always benefit from our silence, then if we speak he will still not benefit.'[25]
  • Abbot Pastor said: If a man has done wrong and does not deny it, but says: I did wrong, do not rebuke him, because you will break the resolution of his soul. And if you tell him: Do not be sad, brother, but watch it in the future, you stir him up to change his life.[26]
  • A hermit saw someone laughing, and said to him, "We have to render an account of our whole life before heaven and earth, and you can laugh?"[27]
  • Abba Longinus said to Abba Acacius: 'A woman knows she has conceived when she no longer loses any blood. So it is with the soul, she knows she has conceived the Holy Spirit when the passions stop coming out of her. But as long as one is held back in the passions, how can one dare to believe one is sinless? Give blood and receive the Spirit.'[28]

Collections

Different Sayings collections include the Alphabetic Sayings, the Systematic Sayings, and the Anonymous Sayings.[9]

Anonymous Sayings

The sections of the Anonymous Sayings (Wortley 2013) are:[22]

SayingsEnglishGreek
1–36––
37–54Concerning imperial officialsΠερὶ τῶν Μαγιστριανῶν
55–131Concerning the holy habit of monksΠερὶ τοῦ σχήματος τοῦ ἁγίου τῶν μοναχῶν
132Concerning anchoritesΠερὶ ἀναχωρητῶν
133–143That we should pursue hêsychia and grief for sinὍτι δεῖ τὴν ἡσυχίαν καὶ τὴν κατάνυξιν μεταδιώκειν
144–215Concerning temperanceΠερὶ ἐγκρατείας
216–253On discretionΠερὶ διακρίσεως
254–255That one must be on his guard against judging anybodyὍτι φυλάττεσθαι χρὴ τὸ μηδένα κρίνει
256–263That nothing should be done for ostentation and that avarice should be avoidedΠερὶ τοῦ μηδὲν εἰς ἐπίδειξιν ποιεῖν, καὶ πλεονεξίαν ἀποστρέφεσθαι
264–280That one should always be vigilantΠερὶ τοῦ δεῖν πάντοτε νήφειν
281–289On the necessity of being joyfully compassionate and hospitableὍτι χρὴ ἐλεεῖν καὶ φιλοξενεῖν ἐν ἱλαρότητι
290–297On obedienceΠερὶ ὑπακοῆς
298–334On humble-mindednessΠερὶ ταπεινοφροσύνης
335–343Concerning forbearanceΠερὶ ἀνεξικακίας
344–358Concerning charityΠερὶ ἀγάπης
359–453On those who have the gift of second sightΠερὶ διορατικῶν
454–474Concerning porneiaΠερὶ πορνείας
475–518On not passing judgementΠερὶ τοῦ μὴ κρίνειν
519–765Concerning grief for sin [katanyxis, compunctio]Περὶ κατανύξεως

Alphabetical Sayings

The Alphabetical Sayings (Ward 1984) list the sayings of 131 Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers. Although some of the Desert Fathers quoted in the collection are well known, other names are obscure and difficult to identify.[29]

Systematic Sayings

The 20 chapters of the Systematic Sayings (Wortley 2012) are:[21]

ChapterTitle
ProloguePrologue to The Book of the Elders Called Paradise
1An Exhortation of Holy Fathers on Advancing toward Perfection
2Every Effort Should Be Made to Pursue Hesychia
3Sorrow for Sin [Katanyxis, "Compunction"]
4Self-Control [Egkrateia] Should Be Achieved Not Only in the Case of Food but Also in Other Movements of the Soul
5Various Narratives for Security in the Wars Arising against Us from Porneia
6Poverty [Aktemosyne] and That It Is Necessary to Guard against Covetousness
7Various Narratives Preparing Us for Patience and Courage
8One Should Do Nothing for Show
9One Should Guard against Judging Anybody
10Discretion [Diakrisis]
11One Should Ever Be on Watch
12One Should Pray without Ceasing
13One Must Joyfully Practice Hospitality and Show Compassion
14Obedience
15Humility
16Forbearance [Anexikakia]
17Love [Agape]
18Those Who Have Second Sight [Dioratikoi]
19Wonder-Working Elders
20Virtuous Living

Versions

There are four major versions of the Systematic Collection, in Greek, Latin, Syriac, and Armenian. The contents of each are:[9]

The Greek Systematic Collection
BookChapter TitlesNo. of Sayings
Book IExhortation of the holy fathers concerning progress toward perfection37
Book IIConcerning peace (hesychia) to be pursued with all eagerness35
Book IIIConcerning compunction56
Book IVConcerning temperance in food and concerning the mastery of all104
Book VVarious stories to keep on guard against assaults of luxury54
Book VIConcerning poverty and the necessity of keeping oneself from avarice28
Book VIIVarious stories training us to patience and courage62
Book VIIIThat nothing be done for show32
Book IXTo be on watch to not judge anyone26
Book XConcerning discernment194
Book XIConcerning the necessity of constant vigilance127
Book XIIConcerning unceasing prayer28
Book XIIIConcerning hospitality and almsgiving done with joy19
Book XIVConcerning obedience32
Book XVConcerning humility136
Book XVIConcerning long-suffering30
Book XVIIConcerning charity35
Book XVIIIConcerning great visionaries53
Book XIXConcerning those who work miracles21
Book XXConcerning virtuous behavior24
Book XXISayings of those who endure in asceticism, showing their eminent virtue66
Total1199
Verba Seniorum of Pelagius and John (Latin)
BookChapter TitlesNo. of Sayings
Book IConcerning the perfecting of the fathers23
Book IIConcerning quiet16
Book IIIConcerning compunction27
Book IVConcerning continence70
Book VConcerning fornication41
Book VIConcerning [the idea] that a monk should possess nothing22
Book VIIConcerning patience, or fortitude47
Book VIIIConcerning [the idea] that nothing should be done for show24
Book IXConcerning that we should judge no man12
Book XConcerning discernment113
Book XIConcerning [the idea] that it is right to live soberly54
Book XIIConcerning [the idea] that we ought to pray unceasingly and soberly15
Book XIIIConcerning [the idea] that it is best to be hospitable and show mercy with cheerfulness14
Book XIVConcerning obedience19
Book XVConcerning humility89
Book XVIConcerning patience19
Book XVIIConcerning charity25
Book XVIIIConcerning foresight or contemplation36
Book XIXConcerning the holy old men who used to work signs17
Book XXConcerning the best sayings of various saints18
Book XXIThe 7 chapters that Abba Moses sent to Abba Poemen [and other miscellaneous sayings]24
Total725
The Syriac Paradise of the Fathers by Ânân Îshô
BookChapter TitlesNo. of Sayings
Book I, Chapter 1Palladius on flight from men and silent contemplationSayings 1–62
Book I, Chapter 2Concerning fasting and abstinenceSayings 63–104
Book I, Chapter 3Concerning the reading of the scriptures, night vigils, the service of the Psalms, and constant prayerSayings 105–135
Book I, Chapter 4Concerning the weeping and mourning for sinsSayings 136–157
Book I, Chapter 5Concerning voluntary povertySayings 158–182
Book I, Chapter 6Concerning patient enduranceSayings 183–237
Book I, Chapter 7Concerning obedience to God and manSayings 238–247
Book I, Chapter 8Concerning watchfulness in thought, word, and deedSayings 248–392
Book I, Chapter 9Concerning love, charity, and hospitalitySayings 393–443
Book I, Chapter 10Concerning humilitySayings 444–558
Book I, Chapter 11Concerning fornicationSayings 559–597
Book I, Chapter 12Concerning the acceptance of repentanceSayings 598–613
Book I, Chapter 13Concerning the fathers who wrought wonderful worksSayings 614–630
Book I, Chapter 14Concerning the greatness of the solitary lifeSayings 631–635
Book II, Chapters 1–15Questions and answers on the ascetic ruleSayings 1–539
Book II, Chapters 16–17Questions and answers by the fathers and monksSayings 540–576
Book II, Chapter 18Questions and answers on the vision of the mindSayings 577–602
AppendixSayings 603–705
The Armenian Paterica
BookChapter TitlesNo. of Sayings
Book IConcerning perfect virtue46 + 116R
Book IIConcerning quiet28 + 37R
Book IIIConcerning compunction and tears50 + 36R
Book IVConcerning abstinence58 + 63R
Book VConcerning fornication81 + 47R
Book VIConcerning destitution20 + 23R
Book VIIConcerning strength and forbearance45 + 49R
Book VIIIConcerning doing nothing for show18 + 15R
Book IXConcerning discernment27 + 19R
Book XConcerning divine and right judgment79 + 114R
Book XIConcerning vigilance and sobriety34 + 51R
Book XIIConcerning prayer11 + 14R
Book XIIIConcerning being hospitable and merciful17 + 19R
Book XIVConcerning obedience17 + 19R
Book XVConcerning humility71 + 100R
Book XVIConcerning forgetfulness of injuries9 + 18R
Book XVIIConcerning loving God and neighbor26 + 35R
Book XVIIIConcerning spirit-seeing and wonder-working of the fathers93 + 39R
Book XIXConcerning the conversation of the fathers28 + 26R
Total1598

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ From the Greek: apo, from; phtheggomai, to cry out; pater, father.
  2. ↑ Orthodox Encyclopedia, in Russian, Vol. 3, pp. 140-142.
  3. ↑ Gould, Graham (2001). Papers presented at the Thirteenth International Conference on Patristic Studies held in Oxford 1999. Studia Patristica. Peeters Publishers. ISBN 978-90-429-0922-9.
  4. ↑ W. Bousset. Apophthegmata. Tuebingen, 1923, p. 68.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Burton-Christie, Douglas (1993). The Word in the desert: scripture and the quest for holiness in early Christian monasticism. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press. pp. 76–86. ISBN 0-19-508333-4.
  6. 1 2 Chryssavgis, John; Ware, Kallistos; Ward, Benedicta (2008). In the Heart of the Desert: Revised Edition: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers (Treasures of the World's Religions). Bloomington, Ind.: World Wisdom. p. 4. ISBN 1-933316-56-X.
  7. ↑ "Chryssavgis, pp. 19-29.
  8. ↑ Flood, Gavin D. (2004). The ascetic self: subjectivity, memory and tradition. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-60401-X.
  9. 1 2 3 Harmless, William (2004). Desert Christians: an introduction to the literature of early monasticism. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-516222-6.
  10. ↑ Barlow, Claude (1969). Fathers of the Church: Iberian Fathers: Martin of Braga/Paschasius of Dumium/Leander of Seville. Washington, D.C: Catholic University of America Press. pp. 113–114. ISBN 0-8132-0062-8.
  11. ↑ Barlow, p. 5-6.
  12. ↑ Müller-Kessler, Christa (2022). "Piecing together Christian Palestinian Aramaic Texts under Georgian Manuscripts: (St Petersburg, NLR, Syr. 16; Sinai, Georg. NF 19, 71; Oslo, Martin Schøyen, MS 35, 37; Princeton, Garrett MS 24; Göttingen, Syr. 17, 19, 23, 25)", Digital Kartvelology 1, 41–44 https://adh.ge/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/M_ller-Kessler-DiKa-V1.pdf.
  13. ↑ Brock, Sebastian P. (1995). Catalogue of Syriac Fragments (New Finds) in the Library of the Monastery of Saint Catherine, Mount Sinai, Athens: Mount Sinai Foundation, 89, 309.
  14. ↑ Desreumaux, Alain apud Philothée du Sinaï (2008). Nouveaux manuscrits syriaques du Sinaï, Athens: Mount Sinai Foundation, 540–548.
  15. ↑ Desreumaux, Alain (2010). "Les manuscrits araméens christo-palestiniens du nouveau fonds du monastère de Sainte-Catherine du Sinaï,” Comptes rendus des scéances l’Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres 154:3, 1325, fig. 6.
  16. ↑ Veder, William (2012). The Scete Patericon v1-3. Amsterdam: Pegasus. ISBN 9789061433323.
  17. ↑ "Abbā Isaiah". Encyclopaedia Iranica. 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  18. ↑ Helen Waddell, The desert fathers (translations from the Vitae Patrum), London: Constable & co., 1936.
  19. ↑ Benedicta Ward, The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection, Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 1975 (revised edition, 1985).
  20. 1 2 Wortley, John (2014). Give Me a Word: The Alphabetical Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Popular Patristics Series. Vol. 52. Yonkers, New York: St Vladimir's Seminary Press. ISBN 978-0-88141-497-4.
  21. 1 2 Wortley, John (2012). The Book of the Elders – sayings of the Desert Fathers: the systematic collection. Trappist, KY; Collegeville, MN: Cistercian Publications Liturgical Press. ISBN 978-0-87907-201-8.
  22. 1 2 Wortley, John (2013). The anonymous sayings of the Desert Fathers. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-50988-6.
  23. ↑ Vivian, Tim, ed. (2021). The sayings and stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers: A–H (Ȇta). Vol. 1. Collegeville, Minnesota: Cistercian Publications. ISBN 978-0-87907-109-7.
  24. ↑ Vivian, Tim, ed. (2021). The sayings and stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers: Th–Ō (Thêta–Ōméga). Vol. 2. Collegeville, Minnesota: Cistercian Publications. ISBN 978-0-87907-292-6.
  25. ↑ Anonymous. Krawiec, Rebecca; Marquis, Christine Luckritz; Schroeder, Caroline T.; Zeldes, Amir; Davidson, Elizabeth (eds.). "Apophthegmata Patrum Sahidic 114". Coptic Scriptorium. Translated by Zeldes, Amir. Coptic Scriptorium. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  26. ↑ Merton, Thomas (2004-11-16). The Wisdom of the Desert: Sayings from the Desert Fathers of the Fourth Century (Gift ed.). Shambhala. p. 184. ISBN 1-59030-039-4.
  27. ↑ Ward, Benedicta (2003-07-29). The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks (Revised ed.). Penguin Classics. ISBN 0-14-044731-8.
  28. ↑ Benedicta Ward, ed. (1984), The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection (Rev. ed.), Cistercian Publications, p. 123.
  29. ↑ Ward, Benedicta (1984). The sayings of the Desert Fathers: the alphabetical collection. Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications. ISBN 0-87907-959-2.

Further reading

  • Williams, Rowan (2004-11-19). Silence and Honey Cakes: The Wisdom of the Desert. Lion Publishing plc. ISBN 0-7459-5170-8.
  • Ward, Benedicta (2003-07-29). The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks (Revised ed.). Penguin Classics. ISBN 0-14-044731-8.
  • Sourozh, Metropolitan Anthony of; Benedicta Ward (June 1987). The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Revised ed.). Cistercian Publications. ISBN 0-87907-959-2.
  • Merton, Thomas (2004-11-16). The Wisdom of the Desert: Sayings from the Desert Fathers of the Fourth Century (Gift ed.). Shambhala. ISBN 1-59030-039-4.
  • Wortley, John, ed. (2013). The Anonymous Sayings of the Desert Fathers: A Select Edition and Complete English Translation (in Greek and English). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-50988-6.
  • Wortley, John (2014). Give Me a Word: The Alphabetical Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Popular Patristics Series. Vol. 52. Yonkers, New York: St Vladimir's Seminary Press. ISBN 978-0-88141-497-4.
  • Wortley, John, ed. (2019). More sayings of the Desert Fathers: an English translation and notes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-47108-4.
  • Vivian, Tim, ed. (2021). The sayings and stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers: A–H (Ȇta). Vol. 1. Collegeville, Minnesota: Cistercian Publications. ISBN 978-0-87907-109-7.
  • Vivian, Tim, ed. (2021). The sayings and stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers: Th–Ō (Thêta–Ōméga). Vol. 2. Collegeville, Minnesota: Cistercian Publications. ISBN 978-0-87907-292-6.
  • Nomura, Yushi. Desert Wisdom: Sayings from the Desert Fathers. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 2001.
  • Regnault, Lucien. Les chemins de Dieu au désert: collection systematique des Apophtegmes des Pères. Solesmes: Éditions de Solesmes, 1992. (complete French translation of the Greek Systematic Collection)
  • Dion, J. and G. Oury. Les Sentences des Pères du Désert: recueil de Pélage et Jean. Solesmes: Abbaye Saint-Pierre, 1966. (complete French translation of the Latin Systematic Collection (Verba Seniorum of Pelagius and John))
  • Chaîne M. (ed). Le manuscrit de la version copte en dialect sahidique des "Apophthegmata Patrum". Bibliothèque d'études coptes 6. Cairo: Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale, 1960. (Sahidic Coptic text)
  • Regnault, Lucien. Les Sentences des Pères du Désert: troisième recueil et tables. Sablé-sur-Sarthe: Solesmes, 1976. (French translation of the Bohairic Coptic version in p. 139–194, and of the Armenian version in p. 253–275)
  • Budge, E. A. Wallis. The Sayings and Stories of the Christian Fathers of Egypt: The Syrian Version of the "Apophthegmata Patrum" (2 vol.). Reprint of 1934 ed. London: Kegan Paul Limited, 2002. (English translation of the Syriac Collection)
  • Palladius of Galatia (1907). The Paradise or Garden of the Holy Fathers, Volume 2: Sayings of the Desert Fathers . Translated by Ernest Alfred Wallis Budge. Chatto & Windus.
  • Leloir, Louis (ed). Paterica armeniaca a P. P. Mechitaristis edita (1855) nunc latine reddita. CSCO 353, 361, 371, 379. Louvain: Secrétariat du Corpus SCO, 1974–1976. (Armenian text)
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