John Chryssavgis is Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Honorary Professor at Sydney College of Divinity, Australia.

• Foreword by Kallistos Ware, Metropolitan of Diokleia Introduction PART ONE: THE DESERT BLOSSOMS:Setting the Scene1. Monasticism in Egypt and PalestineA Historical Framework 2. Luminaries of GazaProminent Personalities and Identities 3. Fundamental Concepts and Principles Looking Through a Window Frame PART TWO: THE DESERT BECKONS:Sitting by the Cell4. Spiritual Direction Two Extraordinary Models 5. Fasting and Feasting: Sustained by God in the Wilderness 6. Mourning and Tears:The Way of Brokenness and Imperfection 7. Discernment and Compassion:The Way of Awareness and Authenticity 8. Solitude, Silence, and StillnessEchoes from the Barren Desert Conclusion Bibliography Index

The spiritual letters of Barsanuphius and John, two sixth century ascetics from the Gaza Strip, are extraordinary documents. They open a window into the heart of Early Christian monasticism. The exchange of question and answer touches on the hopes, fears and temptations of all kinds (even the most banal), experienced by every kind of persons—monks and laity alike. Here are the rugged rocks in which the honey drops of Desert Wisdom were distilled. John Chryssavgis does full justice to these unique letters of advice. Two wise and loving Christians speak from his pages. And as they do, the icy modern image of the monk as an exalted authority figure melts away to reveal a tenderness and a skill in one-to-one spiritual counsel that lifts the heart, even at distance of fifteen hundred years.

John Chryssavgis is Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Honorary Professor at Sydney College of Divinity, Australia.

• Foreword by Kallistos Ware, Metropolitan of Diokleia Introduction PART ONE: THE DESERT BLOSSOMS:Setting the Scene1. Monasticism in Egypt and PalestineA Historical Framework 2. Luminaries of GazaProminent Personalities and Identities 3. Fundamental Concepts and Principles Looking Through a Window Frame PART TWO: THE DESERT BECKONS:Sitting by the Cell4. Spiritual Direction Two Extraordinary Models 5. Fasting and Feasting: Sustained by God in the Wilderness 6. Mourning and Tears:The Way of Brokenness and Imperfection 7. Discernment and Compassion:The Way of Awareness and Authenticity 8. Solitude, Silence, and StillnessEchoes from the Barren Desert Conclusion Bibliography Index

The spiritual letters of Barsanuphius and John, two sixth century ascetics from the Gaza Strip, are extraordinary documents. They open a window into the heart of Early Christian monasticism. The exchange of question and answer touches on the hopes, fears and temptations of all kinds (even the most banal), experienced by every kind of persons—monks and laity alike. Here are the rugged rocks in which the honey drops of Desert Wisdom were distilled. John Chryssavgis does full justice to these unique letters of advice. Two wise and loving Christians speak from his pages. And as they do, the icy modern image of the monk as an exalted authority figure melts away to reveal a tenderness and a skill in one-to-one spiritual counsel that lifts the heart, even at distance of fifteen hundred years.

John Chryssavgis is Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Honorary Professor at Sydney College of Divinity, Australia.

• Foreword by Kallistos Ware, Metropolitan of Diokleia Introduction PART ONE: THE DESERT BLOSSOMS:Setting the Scene1. Monasticism in Egypt and PalestineA Historical Framework 2. Luminaries of GazaProminent Personalities and Identities 3. Fundamental Concepts and Principles Looking Through a Window Frame PART TWO: THE DESERT BECKONS:Sitting by the Cell4. Spiritual Direction Two Extraordinary Models 5. Fasting and Feasting: Sustained by God in the Wilderness 6. Mourning and Tears:The Way of Brokenness and Imperfection 7. Discernment and Compassion:The Way of Awareness and Authenticity 8. Solitude, Silence, and StillnessEchoes from the Barren Desert Conclusion Bibliography Index

The spiritual letters of Barsanuphius and John, two sixth century ascetics from the Gaza Strip, are extraordinary documents. They open a window into the heart of Early Christian monasticism. The exchange of question and answer touches on the hopes, fears and temptations of all kinds (even the most banal), experienced by every kind of persons—monks and laity alike. Here are the rugged rocks in which the honey drops of Desert Wisdom were distilled. John Chryssavgis does full justice to these unique letters of advice. Two wise and loving Christians speak from his pages. And as they do, the icy modern image of the monk as an exalted authority figure melts away to reveal a tenderness and a skill in one-to-one spiritual counsel that lifts the heart, even at distance of fifteen hundred years.