The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Apophthegmata Patrum, c. fifth century CE) are perhaps the most widely read patristic texts throughout history. They have been constantly translated and retranslated into almost all modern languages, deployed in spiritual direction, and featured in literature and art. Scholars seek to locate and understand the historical context in Egypt, Palestine, and the Judean deserts; however, modern readers might seek spiritual wisdom to guide or understand themselves. The Sayings often seem larger than life, revealing aspects otherwise obscured. The Desert Father Anthony of Egypt is reputed to have said: “A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him saying, ‘You are mad,’ since he is not like them.” During this webinar Anthony O’Mahony will offer a wide-ranging reflection on the context, reception, and continuing significance of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers.

This event is sponsored by the Future of the Humanities Project and Blackfriars Hall, Oxford. It is part of the year-long series, Cultural Encounters: Books that Have Made a Difference.

Online. Free and open to all. Registration is required.

Anthony O’Mahony is a tutor in Christianity and world religions at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford and Blackfriars, Studium. He was reader in the history of Eastern Christianity at Heythrop College, University of London, from 1999 to 2018. In 2018, he was appointed associate fellow at the School of Advanced Studies, University of London. He held the Sir Daniel and Countess Bernardine Murphy Donohue Chair in Eastern Catholic Theology in 2018 and 2019 at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. His research interests include the modern history of Eastern Christianity, dialogue between Eastern and Western churches, Christian-Muslim-Jewish relations, and the history of Jerusalem.

Contact:
Las Casas Institute with Georgetown University
lascasas@bfriars.ox.ac.uk