The early Desert Fathers and Mothers have a unique ability to connect with people and address social issues, making their lives relevant to contemporary urban communities. John Chryssavgis explores their correspondence and offers insights into the sixth-century religious, political, and secular world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Revealing Unexpected Truths about Early Desert Spirituality

This volume argues that the lives of Barsanuphius and John relate closely to contemporary urban communities and how clergy tackle social challenges. The early Desert Fathers and Mothers have exercised a particular charm and appeal in recent years, but they have often been portrayed as inaccessible and eccentric figures in the history of monastic spirituality. John Chryssavgis argues that the elders have an unusual capacity to reach into the depths of the heart to reveal the extraordinary in the very ordinary, and that the correspondence between Barsanuphius and John offers an unparalleled glimpse into the sixth-century religious, political, and secular world. It opens with an exploration into the historical context of Palestinian monasticism, followed by an evaluation of the fundamental principles and practices of Barsanuphius and John.

Weight: 266g
Dimension: 138 x 215 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780567704856