Tim Vivian (Introduction, notes, and translated by) is professor emeritus of religious studies at California State University, Bakersfield, and a retired priest of the Episcopal Church. He has published, among many books, The Life of Antony (with Apostolos N. Athanassakis, 2003), The Holy Workshop of Virtue: The Life of Saint John the Little (with Maged S.A. Mikhail, 2010), Becoming Fire: Through the Year with the Desert Fathers and Mothers (2009) and The Sayings and Stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers (vol. 1, forthcoming, 2021).John Chryssavgis (Foreword by) is archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch, and a clergyman of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He is the author of several books, including John Climacus: From the Egyptian Desert to the Sinaite Mountain (2018) and Primacy in the Church: The Office of Primate and the Authority of Councils, vols. 1 and 2 (2016 and 2020).

• PrefaceForeword. John ChryssavgisAbbreviations and Select SourcesChapter 1: IntroductionSo Long Ago and Far Away, Yet Ours, and Us: Reflection & ConversationI. HyperechiosIA. Who was Hyperechios?IB. Where Did He Live?II. Exhortation to the MonksIIA. The Text(s)IIB. The Soul in Paraphrase, Heart in Pilgrimage: The Exhortation to the MonksIII. Omissions & CommissionsA. PrefaceB. SinC. The Passions1. Anger2. Arrogance3. Desire(s)4. Acquiring & Possessing5. Flesh & World6. ThoughtsIV. The Bridal ChamberA. Virginity: IntroductionB. The Bridegroom and the Bridal ChamberC. The Metaphor of MarriageD. The Metaphor of Marriage: A Reflection with The Sacrament of Love by Paul EvdokimovV. Love’s Body: Community1. Cattle Prod2. An Arm Gently Around a Shoulder3. ExultationVI. Hyperechios and UsA. Mitakuye Oyasin: All My RelationsB. Anyone Who Had a HeartChapter 2: Exhortation to the Monks by HyperechiosA New English TranslationKey Terms and Cross-ReferencesExhortation to the MonksAppendix: Another Series of Sayings Attributed to HyperechiosChapter 3: Exhortation to the MonksThe Greek TextGlossarySelected BibliographyIndexes

“Stellar scholarship . . . a marvel . . . . This volume is a great basis for lectiodivina, for a retreat, for a class in the spiritual life and its vision and tools.” —Michael Plekon, Cistercian Studies Quarterly“Hyperechios’ sayings deserve to be known better and making them available in English translation makes them fully accessible to scholars/readers of all abilities. Further, Vivian’s introduction situates the text among other early Christian monastic texts, showing the role this text played in early Christian monasticism.” —Greg Peters, American Benedictine Review"Tim Vivian continues to merit his reputation as a guide for those interested (both personally and academically) in the monastic worlds of late antiquity . . . Those interested in meeting Hyperechios for the first time should do so here."—Benjamin Hansen, Church History"This book will be much appreciated by those studying early monasticism and the Desert Fathers, as it brings renewed attention to a lesser-known work. The editor also demonstrates how the teachings of Hyperechios continue to resonate with present-day Christians, giving his message a timeless quality that still speaks to readers today."—Medievalists.net“The mysterious ancient monk Hyperechios and his neglected but profound Exhortation to the Monks have found their ideal translator and interpreter in Tim Vivian. No one has translated as much early monastic literature as Vivian, and few can match his knowledge of Christian spirituality, past and present. This book is an outstanding resource for professional historians and, even more, for anyone interested in the spiritual aspects of the Christian monastic tradition.”—David Brakke, The Ohio State University"Tim Vivian has once again introduced the English-speaking world to another important desert Christian ascetic. This text is not only a superb translation of Hyperechios' Exhortation but a deep, meaningful introduction to the world of early Christian monasticism. I highly commend it!"—Greg Peters, Biola University“What a great service Tim Vivian has done in making this extraordinary but little known compilation of spiritual wisdom from ancient Christian monasticism available to us in English. Hyperechios’s teaching on the spiritual life is characterized by deep authority and compassion and it resonates anew for us in our own time. A significant contribution to our understanding of the spirituality of the desert fathers and mothers.”—Douglas E. Christie, Loyola Marymount University"One of the leading experts on the world and spirituality of the Christian desert, and a prolific translator of its writings, Tim Vivian here offers us a new translation of the relatively unknown sayings of Hyperechios, together with a wonderful introduction, Greek text, and lengthy glossary explaining the key terms involved. We can be grateful to Vivian for sharing with us more of his spiritual wisdom and scholarly ability; this volume is sure to enrich our knowledge and lives."—John Behr, University of Aberdeen"Of the 160 sayings of Hyperechios, only eighteen ended up in the Alphabetical and Systematic Collection of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. The rest have been waiting in Greek patrology for a reader and translator. Tim Vivian has now filled that gap. And rightly so, for Hyperechios brings monastic life into the limelight in his own way as evidenced by, among other things, his attention to Scripture, fraternal love, and the place of the cross of Christ in monastic life. An almost forgotten abba is here given a voice and a face again in the great choir of monks through Tim Vivian's work." —Br. Thijs Ketelaars, Order of Saint Benedict, Sint-Adelbertabdij, The Netherlands