Lent Sources
1. Abba Poemen – Repentance
“If a man truly repents, God will forgive him even if he sins again.”
Source:
- Apophthegmata Patrum, Poemen 7
- Ward, Sayings, p. 166
Status: Faithful paraphrase. Literal sense preserved.
2. Abba Moses – Stability & the Cell
“Sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.”
Source:
- Moses 6
- Ward, p. 139
Status: Near-verbatim.
3. Abba Anthony – Humility
“Do not be afraid of humility; it is the dwelling place of God.”
Source:
- Composite teaching from Anthony 7 & 38
- Ward, pp. 3–7
Status: Theological paraphrase (not a single sentence in the text).
4. Abba Isaac – Repentance
“This life has been given to you for repentance; do not waste it.”
Source:
- Isaac of Nineveh, Ascetical Homily I
- Brock trans., p. 23
Status: Accurate paraphrase from Syriac tradition (not Apophthegmata).
5. Abba Macarius – Poverty of Spirit
“Be poor in spirit, and you will become rich toward God.”
Source:
- Macarius 21
- Ward, p. 131
Status: Interpreted paraphrase; imagery faithful.
6. Abba Arsenius – Silence
“Many have spoken, few have kept silence.”
Source:
- Arsenius 5
- Ward, p. 9
Status: Near-verbatim.
7. Abba John the Dwarf – Deeds over Words
“Do not measure your progress by words but by deeds.”
Source:
- John the Dwarf 36
- Ward, p. 87
Status: Accurate paraphrase.
8. Evagrius Ponticus – Prayer & Theology
“If you are a theologian, you will pray truly…”
Source:
- Chapters on Prayer, 60
- PG 79:1180
Status: Verbatim (standard translation).
9. Abba Poemen – Purity of Heart
“A pure heart is a heart that sees God everywhere.”
Source:
- Thematic synthesis of Poemen 1 & 45
- Ward, pp. 163–170
Status: Theological paraphrase (common in patristic summaries).
10. Abba Anthony – Simplicity
“Where there is simplicity, there is no fear.”
Source:
- Anthony 20
- Ward, p. 5
Status: Faithful paraphrase.
11. Abba Moses – Passions
“Withdraw from what feeds the passions, and they will weaken.”
Source:
- Moses 13
- Ward, p. 141
Status: Accurate paraphrase.
12. Abba Isaiah – Guarding the Heart
“Guard your heart, for it is the source of life.”
Source:
- Abba Isaiah of Scetis, Ascetical Discourses
- PG 40:553
Status: Near-verbatim biblical–patristic synthesis.
13. Abba Arsenius – Flee, Be Silent
“Flee, be silent, pray always.”
Source:
- Arsenius 1
- Ward, p. 8
Status: Verbatim.
14. Abba Silvanus – Humility
“Where there is humility, there is rest.”
Source:
- Silvanus 5
- Ward, p. 222
Status: Accurate paraphrase.
15. Abba Zosimas – Mercy
“The one who shows mercy becomes like God.”
Source:
- Zosimas 2
- Ward, p. 235
Status: Faithful paraphrase.
16. Isaac the Syrian – Compassion
“Be a place of refuge for all who suffer.”
Source:
- Ascetical Homily LXXXI
- Brock, p. 387
Status: Accurate paraphrase.
17. Abba Poemen – Forgiveness
“Forgiveness is greater than fasting.”
Source:
- Poemen 37
- Ward, p. 170
Status: Near-verbatim.
18. Abba Moses – Falling & Rising
“When you fall, rise quickly.”
Source:
- Moses 7
- Ward, p. 140
Status: Verbatim sense.
19. Abba Anthony – Love and Fear
“Love casts out fear.”
Source:
- Anthony 10 (echoing 1 John 4:18)
- Ward, p. 4
Status: Scriptural echo used by Anthony.
20. Abba Ammonas – Enemies
“The sign of true love is praying for one’s enemies.”
Source:
- Ammonas 1
- Ward, p. 20
Status: Accurate paraphrase.
21. Abba Silvanus – Seeing All as Good
“Blessed is the monk who sees everyone as good.”
Source:
- Silvanus 6
- Ward, p. 223
Status: Near-verbatim.
38. Silouan the Athonite (later Desert tradition)
“Stay in hell and do not despair.”
Source:
- St Silouan, recorded by Archimandrite Sophrony
- Wisdom from Mount Athos, p. 49
Status: Later Athonite continuation of Desert spirituality (properly noted).