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 the Georgetown Humanities Initiative at Georgetown University with Blackfriars Hall, Oxford. It is part of the series Cultural Encounters: Books that Have Made a Difference.
