Sign-In
Cart
The Paradise of the Holy Fathers: Volume II - The Sayings of the Fathers
Paperback
Religion General Christian LivingGeneral Christianity
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Aug 5 2026
Pages: 322
Weight: 0.86
Height: 0.80 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Enter the school of the Egyptian Desert Fathers, where silence, prayer, vigilance, humility, and mercy are tested in daily life.
In the deserts of Egypt, men and women withdrew from distraction to confront the passions and seek purity of heart. Their sayings, practical counsels, searching questions, and memorable stories became one of Christianity's foundational guides to the spiritual life.
The Paradise of the Holy Fathers preserves this inheritance through the Syriac collection associated with Anan-Isho, translated into English by E. A. Wallis Budge. Volume II gathers its spiritual teachings for direct, topical reading.
Inside Volume II:
- Fourteen chapters of counsels from the holy men
- Teachings on solitude, silence, fasting, and abstinence
- Guidance on Scripture, psalmody, vigils, and constant prayer
- Wisdom concerning compunction, poverty, patience, and obedience
- Counsels on watchfulness, hospitality, love, and humility
- Warnings concerning temptation, fornication, pride, and careless speech
- Teachings on repentance, wonder-working elders, and the solitary life
- Questions and answers on the rule of life and the vision of the mind
- An appendix of questions from the brethren and answers from the Fathers
Volume II is the more immediately practical half of the work. A brother asks how to remain in his cell, pray without distraction, answer a troubling thought, endure temptation, or recognize genuine humility. The Fathers reply with stories, paradoxes, rebukes, acts of mercy, and hard-won discernment.
Their teaching is severe because it takes freedom seriously. Anger, vanity, appetite, judgment, despair, and the desire for praise are forms of bondage. Fasting is never separated from charity; silence is tested by love; and extraordinary ascetic feats are measured against humility and compassion.
These sayings reward slow reading. A single answer may be brief enough to remember yet deep enough to examine for days. Readers can proceed chapter by chapter, follow a subject through the index, or open the volume for reflection.
This reader's edition is designed for sustained use and serious reference. Names and headings have been standardized, obvious defects inherited from early printing have been corrected, and complete scriptural quotations are supplied from the King James Version rather than silently paraphrased. The reading guide, glossary, Scriptural Index, and General Index to both volumes make Budge's historical translation easier to navigate without flattening its antique character.
For readers of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Orthodox Christian spirituality, the Philokalia, patristic literature, Christian asceticism, contemplative prayer, monastic history, and spiritual warfare.
This paperback contains Volume II only: The Sayings of the Fathers. It is the second half of the coordinated Complete Two-Volume Reader's Edition from Rare Orthodox Books. Volume I contains the lives and historical narratives, including the Life of Saint Anthony, Palladius, Saint Pachomius, and the History of the Monks in Egypt.
Whether approached devotionally, historically, or as a primary source for early monasticism, these counsels reveal why the wisdom of the desert has endured: it speaks plainly about the divided heart and points toward watchfulness, repentance, charity, and peace.
Read a saying. Keep it in the heart. Let the desert become a school of attention.
Also from
Books, Rare Orthodox
The Conferences of St. John Cassian: Prayer, Discernment, and the Desert Way
Cassian, St John
Paperback
On the Soul and the Resurrection: St. Macrina's Dialogue on Grief, Death, Judgment, and Eternal Life
Of Nyssa, St Gregory
Paperback
The Celestial Hierarchy: Angels, Worship, Symbol, and the Order of Creation
The Areopagite, Pseudo-Dionysius
Paperback
A Spiritual Treasury Gathered from the World: Reflections on the Christian Life
Of Zadonsk, St Tikhon
Paperback
Ascetical Sermons: On Repentance, Prayer, Fasting, and the Spiritual Struggle
Brianchaninov, St Ignatius
Paperback
The Path to Salvation: A Manual of Spiritual Transformation from Awakening to Union with God
The Recluse, St Theophan
Paperback
Also in
General Christianity
The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations
Metzger, Bruce M.
Hardcover
The Destiny of Modern Societies: The Calvinist Predestination of a New Society
Zafirovski, Milan
Paperback
The Death of Christ: The Bible and Popular Culture Vs Archaeological and Historical Evidence
Rutledge, Steven
Hardcover
The Gnostic Secrets of the Naassenes: The Initiatory Teachings of the Last Supper
Gaffney, Mark H.
Paperback
A Child Shall Lead Them PB: Martin Luther King Jr., Young People, and the Movement
Burrow, Rufus
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
The Unseen Battle: Spiritual Warfare, the Three Rebellions, and Christ's Victory Over Dark Powers
Muddamalle, Joel
Paperback
Becoming Like Jesus Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: A Bible Study on the Beatitudes
Chandler, Matt
Paperback
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks Revised and Updated: A Year-Long Bible Study
Lucado, Max
Paperback
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition: The Story of the Church for Today's Readers
Shelley, Bruce
Paperback
Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within
Mitchell, Philip Anthony
Hardcover
The Elijah Mandate: A Call to Courageous Faith in a Hostile World
Piflaks, Tolik
Tsarfati, Amir
Paperback
Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them
Strong, Jeff
Paperback
Christian Beliefs, Revised Edition: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know
Grudem, Wayne A.
Paperback
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation
Kobes Du Mez, Kristin
Paperback
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Leo XIV, Pope
Hardcover
Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy
Jones, Robert P.
Hardcover
Jesus & Your Mental Health: Linking God's Word and Modern Science to Find Peace about Mental Health
Maxwell Lmft, Rebecca
Paperback
Determined to Believe?: The Sovereignty of God, Freedom, Faith, and Human Responsibility
Lennox, John C.
Paperback
When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without
Story, Laura
Paperback
Friendship in the Lord: A Catholic Classic on Holy Friendship and Life in Christ a Christian Classic
Hinnebusch Op, Paul
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Pope Leo XIV, XIV
Paperback
The War on Reality: Recovering Truth in a World That Celebrates Lies
Turek, Frank
Hayes, Phoenix
Paperback
Sounding the Seasons Enlarged Edition: One Hundred and Ten Sonnets for the Christian Year
Guite, Malcolm
Paperback
The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important That Happens in Between
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
Making Your Case for Christ Bible Study Guide: An Action Plan for Sharing What You Believe and Why
Strobel, Lee
Mittelberg, Mark
Paperback
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume
Meyer, Marvin W.
Robinson, James M.
Paperback
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
Comer, John Mark
Hardcover
Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd Edition
Concordia Publishing House
Hardcover
Tactics Study Guide, Updated and Expanded: A Guide to Effectively Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
Bloodline Deliverance Study Manual: How to Set Yourself, Your Family, and Your Bloodline Free from Demons and Curses
Brewer, Andrea
Brewer, Mike
Paperback
The Official Study Guide to I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Jimenez, Jason
Geisler, Norman L.
Paperback
The Unoffendable Heart: Breaking Free from the Cycle of Offense to Live in Freedom, Love, and Forgiveness
Signorelli, Mike
Paperback
Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West
Ehrman, Bart D.
Hardcover
Evidence That Demands a Verdict Bible Study Guide: Jesus and the Gospels
McDowell, Sean
McDowell, Josh
Paperback
Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You
Burke, John
Paperback
The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha: 300 Books in Print Plus Audiobook, Videos, and Thousands of Digital Books
Publishing, Dunatos
Hardcover
Every Moment Holy: Death, Grief, and Hope: (Pocket Edition) (Over 100 Prayers and Illustrations for Finding Purpose & Hope During Seasons of Loss or S
McKelvey, Douglas Kaine
Hardcover
Did America Have a Christian Founding?: Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth
Hall, Mark David
Paperback
Help Is Here: Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Lucado, Max
Paperback