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Texts on the hermit life
The Ecole Glossary
The Desert Fathers
The phrase "desert fathers" encompasses an influential fourth century
group of hermits and cenobites who settled in the Egyptian desert. The origins
of Western monasticism lie in these primitive hermitages and religious communities.
Paul of Thebes is the first hermit recorded to set the tradition of monastic
asceticism and contemplation, and Pachomius of Thebaid is considered the
founder of cenobitism, or early monasticism. At the end of the third century,
however, the revered Anthony of Egypt oversaw colonies of hermits in the
middle region. He soon became the archetypal recluse and relgious hero for
the Western church--a fame due in no small part to the vast encomiums displayed
in Athanasius biography of him. These early monastics drew a sizeable following
to their austere retreats through the influence of their simple, individualistic,
rugged, and concentrated search for salvation and unity with God. The desert
fathers were often appealed to for spiritual guidance and counsel by their
disciples. Their responses were recorded and collected in a work called Paradise
or Apophthegms of the Fathers.
Emily K. C. Strand
Copyright © 1995, Emily K. C. Strand. This file may be copied on the condition that the entire contents, including the header and this copyright notice, remain intact.