“Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17 LXX The chattel enslavement of Africans and African Americans in Virginia was established by the early 1700’s. Slave patrollers and a colonial militia were effective in crushing a widespread rebellion before it began in 1730. Blacks who escaped south of the … More Of Desert Fathers & Maroons: Victory in Unity
“Our Father, Abba Anthony, said he had never put his own personal advantage before the good of a brother.” John the Eunuch from the Sayings of the Desert Fathers There is a story of Abba Macarius receiving some fresh grapes. He wanted to eat them. But, he chose not to and knew another monk who … More Of Desert Fathers & Maroons: The Perils of Self Indulgence
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) September 11th Theodora of Alexandria (490) She was a married young woman who committed adultery. Mourning what she had done, Theodora cut off her hair, dressed as a man, and gained entrance to a men’s monastery where she was heralded for her ascetic disciplines under the name Theodore. … More Dispatch from the Desert: September 7th thru 13th
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) August 31st Cyprian (258) Bishop of Carthage. Born a pagan, he devoted himself to studying the scriptures and greatly criticized Roman society’s immorality. Cyprian led the Church against heretics, sometimes in hiding. As he was about to be martyred, the bishop gave 25 gold coins to his executioner. … More Dispatch from the Desert: August 31st thru September 6th
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) August 26th Tithoes (5th century) A disciple of Abba Pachomius and became the Abbot of Tabennisi Monastery. Seven lessons in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers are attributed to him. Zer-Jacob (?) Missionary in Ethiopia Ibestion the Confessor (ca. 450) August 27th Poemen the Great (450) Also known … More Dispatch from the Desert: August 24th thru 30th
Behold now, what is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity? Psalm 132:1 LXX (133 Maesoretic) He (“old man” Elias) called togerher everybody who lived near him and built cells for them in a single day, me delivering mortar, and another bricks, another drawing water, and another cutting wood. … More Of Desert Fathers and Maroons: The Blessings of Unity
Flee also youthful lust, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart – 2 Timothy 2:22 The goal of our profession … is the kingdom of God. Its immediate purpose, however, is purity of heart, for without this we cannot reach our goal. We should … More Of Desert Fathers & Maroons II: Freedom & Purity
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) No African (native born or from elsewhere) saints are listed for this week. A Word from the Fathers & Mothers “Every virtue that is acquired without much effort is not strong and is easily shaken by the wind.” Abba Isaac to Ammah Theodora, from the Matericon “How … More Dispatch from the Desert: August 17th thru 23rd
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) August 12th Pallamon (ca. 325) Egyptian instructor of St. Pachomius August 16th Chaeremon (4th century) Monk of Nitra, Egypt. One lesson is attributed to him in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers A Word from the Fathers & Mothers “How can we acquire the fear of God … More Dispatch from the Desert: August 10th thru 16th
“Let us imitate our Fathers: The lived in this place with much austerity and peace.” Abba John the Eunuch, from the Sayings of the Desert Fathers “But some on’em would rather be shot than took, sir.” from A Desolate Place for a Defiant People The runaway slave was among the bravest of our African ancestors. … More Of Desert Fathers & Maroons
Desert Fathers Dispatch 