Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications, 1980. 181 pages. List price: £10.50. ISBN: 0-87907-934-7

Review by: M.C. Steenberg , August 2003

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A translation of the Historia monachorum in aegypto with introduction by Benedicta Ward SLG, most noted for her editions of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers. The History recounts the expedition of a party of pilgrims through the monastic communities of the Egyptian desert at the close of the fourth century, only some 50 years after the rise of monasticism in the region. While the Apothegmata patrum or 'Sayings of the Desert Fathers', often closely associated in modern readership with this text, contain collections of the sayings and acts of the early Egyptian desert communities, the History recounts the experience of visiting these communities by those who came to encounter them from 'the cities'.

The history is divided into chapters based primarily on the chief personalities encountered during the voyage (e.g. John of Lycopolis, Paphnutius, Isidore, Serapion), many of whom the reader will recognise from their sayings in the Apothegmata. Throughout, the account is one of intensely personal recollection: stories are recounted of the miracles upon which the pilgrims happened, including several miracles involving the relationship of the holy Fathers with animals and the created order; as well as the wonder and emotion felt by the travellers when encountering such individuals.

The volume includes a lengthy and very helpful introduction by Benedicta Ward, outlining the text and its sources, the social aspects of the narrative, the general environment and history of early Egyptian monasticism, the ideals of these communities, and the occurrence of miracles and their significance during the period and beyond. Norman Russell's translation is fitting to the text: though he employs at times a slightly elevated style to his English that is more pronounced than the style of the Greek. We are extremely thankful for the inclusion in this same volume of the additions to the text found in the version by Rufinus, as well as a chapter outlining and indicating the differences present in the Syriac version. Also included are a hand-drawn map of the region covered in the history, a chronological table of Egyptian monasticism from St Antony to Theodoret, an index of persons and places mentioned in the text, and a very helpful index of subjects. A bibliography of primary and secondary texts is included, and though some additions to this are necessary given the 20-plus years since the volume's first publication, it still offers direction toward the most valuable texts.

In all, The Lives of the Desert Fathers is an excellent volume, and one that comes highly recommended to all those interested in the history of monastic Egypt.

The present text is available online through the following e-retailers:

• Amazon.co.uk (limited availability)
• Amazon.com ($10.95)

The reviewer of the present text recommends the following works as those which may be of interest to readers of this title:

• The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection (trans. B. Ward)