The Desert Fathers were the first Christian monks, living in solitude in the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria.
In contrast to the formalized and official theology of the founding fathers of the Church, they were ordinary Christians who chose to renounce the world and live lives of celibacy, fasting, vigil, prayer, and poverty in direct and simple response to the gospel.
First recorded in the fourth century, their Sayings consisting of spiritual advice, anecdotes, parables, and reflection.
Penguin Books The desert fathers: sayings of the early christian monks, paperback/various
