Chronicles of the Desert

Ep. 1 · Chronicles of the Desert - Abba Bessarion

Saint Bessarion, Wonderworker of Egypt was an Egyptian. He was baptized while still in his youth, and he led a strict life, striving to preserve the grace given him during Baptism. Seeking to become more closely acquainted with the monastic life, he journeyed to the holy places. He was in Jerusalem, he visited Saint Gerasimus (March 4) in the Jordanian wilderness, he viewed other desert monasteries, and assimilated all the rules of monastic life.

Ep. 2 · Chronicles of the Desert - Spiritual Fatherhood

In the latest episode of ‘Chronicles of the Desert’, we briefly learn about three saints that were added to the church calendar on March 9th, 2020 by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. These three modern elders benefited from the system of spiritual fatherhood that has long been in practice in the Christian east and continues today within the Orthodox Church. Saint Joseph the Hesychast and Saints Daniel and Ephraim of Katounakia, all labored in the Athonite desert in the 20th century and taught others the ascetic and hesychastic tradition that, along with the sacramental life of the Church, leads to purification from the passions, acquisition of the virtues, and union with God.

Ep. 3 · Chronicles of The Desert - Anthony in the Tombs

This story begins just outside of the village of Coma, Egypt around the year AD 270, when a man named Anthony leaves the world behind for a life of asceticism in the desert. This account, adapted from the classic book The Life of St. Anthony by St. Athanasius, tells of Anthony’s earliest encounters with the devil and evil spirits.

Ep. 4 · Chronicles of the Desert - Discernment: A Gift of the Desert

Saint Daniel the Stylite was born in the village of Bethara, near the city of Samosata in Mesopotamia. His mother Martha was childless for a long while and in her prayers she vowed that if she had a child, she would dedicate him to the Lord. Her prayers were heard, and Martha soon gave birth to a son, who was without a name until he was five years of age.

Ep. 5 · Chronicles of the Desert - Saint Peter the Athonite

Saint Peter of Athos, a Greek by birth, served as a soldier in the imperial armies and he lived at Constantinople. In the year 667, during a war with the Syrians, Saint Peter was taken captive and locked up in a fortress in the city of Samara on the Euphrates River.

Ep. 5 · Chronicles of the Desert - The Irish Mystic of Glendalough

Saint Kevin (Coemgen) was born in Leinster in the early decades of the sixth century, the age of Saints Columba (June 9), Columbanus of Luxeuil (November 21), Comgall of Bangor (May 10), Finnian of Clonard (December 12), Kieran of Clonmacnoise (September 9), and many other great saints.This holy ascetic belonged to a noble family which had included several Kings of Leinster. He himself, however, was a model of humility and self-denial.

Ep. 6 · Chronicles of the Desert - A Pillar of Grace

Saint Simeon the Stylite was born in the Cappadocian village of Sisan of Christian parents, Sisotian and Martha. At thirteen years of age he began to tend his father’s flock of sheep. He devoted himself attentively and with love to this, his first obedience.

Ep. 7 · Chronicles of the Desert - The Last Earthly Days of Saint Tikhon

Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightener to America was born as Vasily Ivanovich Belavin on January 19, 1865 into the family of Ioann Belavin, a rural priest of the Toropetz district of the Pskov diocese. His childhood and adolescence were spent in the village in direct contact with peasants and their labor. From his early years he displayed a particular religious disposition, love for the Church as well as rare meekness and humility.

Ep. 8 · Chronicles of the Desert - Treasures in Heaven

Through two stories from the Egyptian desert, this episode reflects on earthly treasure, humility, charity, and spiritual discernment. In the lives of Abba Pambo, St. Melania, and Abba John the Persian, we are reminded that true treasure is not found in praise or possessions, but in a heart centered on Christ.