Desert Wisdom 
Collection of the Wisdom of the Desert Fathers. St.Benedict pointed to the the writings of the early Desert Fathers, specifically mentioning the St. Basil and John Cassian (RB 73:5) as sources for “further perfection.”
Souls that love truth and God
Souls that love truth and God, that long with much hope and faith to put on Christ completely, do not need so much to be put in remembrance by others, nor do they endure, even for a while, to be deprived of the heavenly desire and of passionate affection to the Lord; but being wholly… Read More ›
God is a Fire that Warms the Heart
God is a fire that warms and kindles the heart and inward parts. Hence, if we feel in our hearts the cold which comes from the devil – for the devil is cold – let us call on the Lord. He will come to warm our hearts with perfect love, not only for Him but… Read More ›
Which is more Important
Someone asked Abba Agathon, “Which is better, bodily asceticism or interior vigilance?” The old man replied, “Man is like a tree, bodily asceticism is the foliage, interior vigilance is the fruit. According to that which is written, ‘Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.’… Read More ›
Antony and Dryness of Spirit
When Abba Antony was living in the desert, he was greatly troubled by dryness of spirit. Tied in knots by the multiplicity of his thoughts he cried out to God. “Lord, I earnestly desire to be on the path of salvation but my chaotic thoughts don’t allow me. What shall I do in this tribulation,… Read More ›
A Christian on Fire
A brother made a request of Abba , “Give me a word.” And he said to him, “When the kettle is on the fire, a fly or any other creature cannot touch it; but when it is cold, they sit on it. So it is for the [Christian]; as long as one abides in spiritual… Read More ›
Moderating the Passions
Abba Nilus said, ‘The person who loves contemplative quiet remains invulnerable to the enemy’s arrows, but the person who mixes with crowds of people continuously receives blows. When the irascible part of the soul is at peace it becomes gentle, and when desire has been stilled by contemplative quiet it is inclined to be more… Read More ›
Antony and the Leather Worker
Once when blessed Antony was praying in his cell he heard a voice saying, “Antony you are not yet equal to the leather worker in Alexandria.” When he heard this, the old man got up next morning and taking his staff hastened off to Alexandria where he sought out the leather worker, who was absolutely… Read More ›
Never Alone
When you are praying alone, and your spirit is dejected, and you are wearied and oppressed by your loneliness, remember then, as always, that God the Trinity looks upon you with eyes brighter than the sun; also all the angels, your own Guardian Angel, and all the Saints of God. Truly they do; for they… Read More ›
Using the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Faith and love which are gifts of the Holy Spirit are such great and powerful means that a person who has them can easily, and with joy and consolation, go the way Jesus Christ went. Besides this, the Holy Spirit gives man the power to resist the delusions of the world so that although he… Read More ›
What Mighty Opponents Oppose Us
Once, when about to eat, having risen up to pray about the ninth hour, Antony perceived that he was caught up in the spirit, and, he stood and saw himself, as it were, from outside himself, and that he was led in the air by certain ones. Next certain bitter and terrible beings stood in… Read More ›