Desert Fathers

Father of Christian monasticism; Egyptian hermit whose life was written by Athanasius. Withdrew to the desert c. 285 and helped pattern the eremitic life.

Founder of cenobitic (communal) monasticism in Egypt. Established the monastery at Tabennisi and wrote the first monastic rule.

Pontic monk in the Egyptian desert. Pioneer of systematic monastic theology (Praktikos, Chapters on Prayer); originated the eight 'logismoi' that became the seven deadly sins.

Egyptian ascetic, distinct from his older contemporary Macarius the Great of Egypt, with whom he is often confused. A former merchant, he became a monk in the Nitrian desert and later at Kellia, where he was ordained presbyter. Palladius, who lived under him, describes his extreme ascetic feats and visits to the major desert centres including Tabennesi. His sayings are preserved among the Apophthegmata Patrum.