The Letters of Barsanuphius and John: Desert Wisdom for Everyday Life
Revealing unexpected truths about early desert spirituality, this volume argues that the lives of Barsanuphius and John relate closely to contemporary urban communities and how clergy tackle social challenges. The early Desert Fathers and Mothers have exercised a particular charm and appeal in recent years, but they have often been portrayed as inaccessible and eccentric figures in the history of monastic spirituality.

John Chryssavgis argues that the elders have an unusual capacity to reach into the depths of the heart to reveal the extraordinary in the very ordinary, and that the correspondence between Barsanuphius and John offers an unparalleled glimpse into the sixth-century religious, political, and secular world. It opens with an exploration into the historical context of Palestinian monasticism, followed by an evaluation of the fundamental principles and practices of Barsanuphius and John.

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The Letters of Barsanuphius and John: Desert Wisdom for Everyday Life
Revealing unexpected truths about early desert spirituality, this volume argues that the lives of Barsanuphius and John relate closely to contemporary urban communities and how clergy tackle social challenges. The early Desert Fathers and Mothers have exercised a particular charm and appeal in recent years, but they have often been portrayed as inaccessible and eccentric figures in the history of monastic spirituality.

John Chryssavgis argues that the elders have an unusual capacity to reach into the depths of the heart to reveal the extraordinary in the very ordinary, and that the correspondence between Barsanuphius and John offers an unparalleled glimpse into the sixth-century religious, political, and secular world. It opens with an exploration into the historical context of Palestinian monasticism, followed by an evaluation of the fundamental principles and practices of Barsanuphius and John.

29.95 In Stock
The Letters of Barsanuphius and John: Desert Wisdom for Everyday Life

The Letters of Barsanuphius and John: Desert Wisdom for Everyday Life

by John Chryssavgis
The Letters of Barsanuphius and John: Desert Wisdom for Everyday Life

The Letters of Barsanuphius and John: Desert Wisdom for Everyday Life

by John Chryssavgis

Paperback

$29.95 
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Overview

Revealing unexpected truths about early desert spirituality, this volume argues that the lives of Barsanuphius and John relate closely to contemporary urban communities and how clergy tackle social challenges. The early Desert Fathers and Mothers have exercised a particular charm and appeal in recent years, but they have often been portrayed as inaccessible and eccentric figures in the history of monastic spirituality.

John Chryssavgis argues that the elders have an unusual capacity to reach into the depths of the heart to reveal the extraordinary in the very ordinary, and that the correspondence between Barsanuphius and John offers an unparalleled glimpse into the sixth-century religious, political, and secular world. It opens with an exploration into the historical context of Palestinian monasticism, followed by an evaluation of the fundamental principles and practices of Barsanuphius and John.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780567704856
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 06/30/2022
Pages: 208
Product dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

John Chryssavgis is Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and theological advisor to the “green patriarch” Bartholomew. He studied in Athens and Oxford, and taught in Sydney and Boston. He lives in Harpswell, Maine, USA.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Kallistos Ware, Metropolitan of Diokleia
Introduction

PART ONE: THE DESERT BLOSSOMS:
Setting the Scene
1. Monasticism in Egypt and Palestine
A Historical Framework
2. Luminaries of Gaza
Prominent Personalities and Identities
3. Fundamental Concepts and Principles
Looking Through a Window Frame

PART TWO: THE DESERT BECKONS:
Sitting by the Cell
4. Spiritual Direction
Two Extraordinary Models
5. Fasting and Feasting:
Sustained by God in the Wilderness
6. Mourning and Tears:
The Way of Brokenness and Imperfection
7. Discernment and Compassion:
The Way of Awareness and Authenticity
8. Solitude, Silence, and Stillness
Echoes from the Barren Desert

Conclusion
Bibliography
Index

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