Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul : A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life
"Here is a secret to living a rich spiritual life...If you don’t know how...read this excellent book."


Douglas Burton-Christie, Loyola Marymount University, and author of The Word in the Desert
"A beautiful and sensitive account of the lives and spirituality of the early Christian desert monastics."


Robert Fastiggi, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
"If I were to recommend a single book to introduce the spiritual riches of the desert...this would be [it]."


Philip Zaleski, editor of The Best Spiritual Writing series, author of The Recollected Heart and Gifts of the Spirit, and senior editor of Parabola magazine
"An invaluable guide to the teachings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers...The love of God radiates from every page."


Graeme Ferguson, Senior Minister (retired) of St. David’s Presbyterian Church, Auckland, New Zealand
"John Chryssavgis is a wise guide in spiritual theology. He writes with...clarity, penetrating wisdom and a mischievously light touch."


Book Description
Words of spiritual counsel from the heart of early Christian monasticism


Download Description
This book brings to readers the lives and thoughts of some key representatives of the early Desert Fathers and Mothers, who were so important in the history of the early Christian Church. Glimpses of their austere and holy lives and many of their important sayings are contained in this book by Fr. John Chryssavgis, former Professor of Theology and Dean at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The book also presents, for the first time in the English language, a translation of a fifth-century text, the Reflections (Dialogismoiv) of Abba Zosimas, one of the most significant later figures of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. In the Heart of the Desert also includes a foreword by Benedicta Ward, SLG, editor of the acclaimed collection Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, (Cistercian Publications: Kalamazoo, MI, 1975), and a noted expert in this fascinating area of Christian history and ageless wisdom.


About the Author
The Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis was born in Australia (1958), where he matriculated from The Scotts College (1975). He received his degree in theology from the University of Athens (1980), a diploma in Byzantine Music from the Greek Conservatory of Music (1979), and completed his doctoral studies in Patristics at the University of Oxford (1983). After several months in silent retreat on Mt. Athos, he served the Orthodox Church in Australia (1984-1994), co-founding St. Andrews Theological College in Sydney (1985), where he was sub-dean and taught patristics and church history (1986-1995). He was also a lecturer in the Divinity School (1986-1990) and the School of Studies in Religion (1990-1995) at the University of Sydney. Since 1995, he has taught as professor of theology at Holy Cross School of Theology, where he also directed the religious studies program at Hellenic College. He is the author of many books and numerous articles on the early Church Fathers and orthodox spirituality.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Behind these sayings is concealed the very face of God, who speaks to each of us in the present for all eternity. The words of the Desert Fathers and Mothers have influenced countless souls, from Saint Augustine to Thomas Merton.

FROM THE CRITICS

Douglas Burton-Christie

A beautiful and sensitive account of the lives and spirituality of the early Christian desert monastics. Chryssavgis' treatment of these strange, compelling figures is marked by an uncommon depth of understanding; under his discerning gaze, the world of the desert monastics comes alive for the reader. What really distinguishes his treatment, though, is his compassion for these ancient figures, his ability to meet them as fellow human beings who, like us, find themselves caught up in a mysterious and challenging spiritual journey.

Benedicta Ward

This book provides an accessible introduction to the sources themselves, with copious translations, a map, a time-line, and bibliography. It also includes a translation into English of some material ('The Reflections of Abba Zosimas', which has not been translated before. From his deep knowledge of the area, Chryssavgis has chosen to present them in a way which shows his pastoral concern.

Library Journal