Desert Fathers and Mothers

The Fathers and Mothers are religious people of late antiquity, from the 3rd and 4th centuries, who lived mainly in Egypt. They lived in the desert, as hermits or in communities. Wishing to avoid Roman persecution, which lasted until 313, the date of the Edict of Milan Emperor Constantine authorized Christian worship, they withdrew to the desert to live a life of absolute asceticism, sometimes forming small communities. They are known for their apophthegms, but left few writings, which distinguishes them from the Church Fathers.

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Why this retreat to the desert?

There were many reasons for their retreat to the desert. Fleeing Roman persecution of Christians was one, but far from the only one. Indeed, they continued to go into exile in the desert even after the Edict of Milan, seeing isolation in the desert as a new form of martyrdom. In a firm determination to follow the example of their leader, Christ, who had also been tempted in the desert, they sought to live like Him, in total asceticism and self-denial. It also involved renouncing the world, seen as the place of evil, and living a life of virtue, prayer and textual study. Some speak of "leaving the old man to meet the new man".

Examples of humility, they sought to remain unknown to their contemporaries. "If you want to be known by God, be ignored by men" is a famous quote from the anonymous Desert Fathers, showing just how little they sought recognition.

How did they live?

The first desert fathers, and those who have remained in the annals, lived first as hermits (anchorites). Although they wished to remain in solitude, disciples soon formed around them and they formed communities, often around watering holes. They lived as cenobites. Little by little, they built churches, where they celebrated mass with the hermits around them.

They cultivated a garden to support themselves, sometimes making baskets or mats from rushes to sell and raise funds. Some copied manuscripts. Evagrius the Pontic, for example.

The rest of the time, they studied scripture, prayed fervently and meditated on scriptural passages.

Who are they?

The most advanced in the spiritual life are Fathers or Mothers. They beget monks or nuns who come to consult them.

The first of these was Anthony the Great. Born around 250 A.D., he led a hermit's life from an early age, going into exile in the desert around the age of 30. He was followed by many disciples.

Most of the Desert Fathers and Mothers lived in Egypt, but others lived in the deserts of Palestine and Syria.

Some of them are also Fathers of the Church, insofar as they left some writings.

Although he never lived in the desert for any length of time, Athanasius of Alexandria (supported by the Fathers from the start of his eventful episcopate) is considered a Desert Father. The same applies to Cyril of Alexandria, Gregory the Theologian and others, such as St. Pachomius the Great, founder of nine monasteries at the same time as Anthony the Great. Among the best-known are Paul of Thebes, John Cassian, Macarius the Great, Isidore of Peluse, Epiphanius of Salamis, Evagrius the Pontic and John of Thebaidus. Theodora, Melanie the elder, who was consulted at length by Evagrius the Pontic before he went into exile in the desert. Then there's Melanie the younger, Saint Synclétique, Sarra, Mary the Egyptian, Photine, Anastasie, Eusebia, Pelagie and many others. The main reason for their silence is that women were not literate at  the time, and the Fathers were often hostile to them. What's more, those who observed these anchorites and cenobites were observing monks, not nuns. They therefore left few traces. However, some of the apophthegms are attributed to them. All these women lived exactly like men: as hermits or in communities. Some even lived in chains, or in tombs.

Pray with the Desert Fathers and Mothers in Hozana's prayer communities

On Hozana, you'll find online paths to follow with the great saints. From their writings and their lives, discover their spirituality and how it can nourish your life of faith today.

• Pray this novena to meditate on today's Gospel.
• In contrast to the Desert Fathers and Mothers, let's pray with the future saints and discover who they are, their works and writings.
• You can also cultivate your desire for God with Saint Augustine, or walk with Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, both Doctors of the Church.