{"product_id":"the-desert-fathers-sayings-of-the-early-christian-monks","title":"The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrganized around key themes—Charity, Fortitude, Lust, Patience, Prayer, Self-control, and Visions—this edition of the Sayings is fresh, accessible, and authoritative.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Desert Fathers were the first Christian monks, living in solitude in the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. In contrast to the formalized and official theology of the \"founding fathers\" of the Church, they were ordinary Christians who chose to renounce the world and live lives of celibacy, fasting, vigil, prayer, and poverty in direct and simple response to the gospel. First recorded in the fourth century, their Sayings—consisting of spiritual advice, anecdotes, parables, and reflections on life—influenced the rule of St. Benedict, set the pattern for Western monasticism, and have inspired centuries of poetry, opera, and art.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Classics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43081806512241,"sku":"9780140447316","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/7578\/4305\/files\/imageloader_856ab640-adc7-4b4b-931e-c650b222adab.jpg?v=1773871655","url":"https:\/\/nextchapterhomeschool.com\/products\/the-desert-fathers-sayings-of-the-early-christian-monks","provider":"Next Chapter Homeschool","version":"1.0","type":"link"}