Ancient Patericon — A Thematic Collection of Sayings and Apophthegms of the Desert Fathers, St Theophan the Recluse

The Desert Fathers of Egypt left short sayings, born of silence, work and prayer: the apophthegms (in Greek Ἀποφθέγματα τῶν Πατέρων). Ancient Patericon: A Thematic Collection of Sayings & Apophthegms of the Desert Fathers gathers these sayings in a single volume. The book is in English.

A patericon arranged by theme

According to the publisher, this collection follows the order given by St Theophan the Recluse, known in Russian as Древний патерик ("the ancient patericon"). The sayings are not grouped by author but by theme, so you can open the book at the chapter that answers today's question.

It speaks of repentance, humility, prayer, watchfulness over the thoughts, obedience, discernment, silence, love of neighbour and the struggle against the passions.

The voices of the desert

Here you meet Abba Anthony, Abba Macarius, Abba Arsenius, Abba Poemen and many other monks of the first centuries. Their counsel is brief, sober and practical: each saying can be read in a minute and pondered for a whole day.

A book for daily spiritual reading, both for those discovering the Fathers and for those who have known them for years. Translated and edited in English by Dean Marais (Based Books, 2026).