"Lavsaik, or The Narrative of the Life of the Holy and Blessed Fathers," by St. Palladius of Elenopolis, was published in the Publishing House of the Moscow Patriarchate in the "Monastic Library" series.
In a message to the reader, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia says: "For a monk, reading is a multi—useful spiritual activity, an integral part of the struggle against passions and the acquisition of virtues. Reading helps to resolve spiritual difficulties, to look at any situation in an evangelical way. It enlightens and strengthens in battle and, of course, awakens zeal for the Lord God."
"Lavsaik" is a valuable historical collection of short biographies (apophthegms) of the fathers and mothers of the Egyptian desert, as well as monks and ascetics who labored in different regions of the Middle East in the IV-V centuries. The work was written by St. Palladius around 419-420 and is dedicated to Lavs, a royal courtier who enjoyed the patronage of Emperor Theodosius II.
The book describes various types of monastic asceticism: hermitdom, kinovia (dormitory), stylishness, etc. In each story, the author strives to show the uniqueness of each ascetic's life path, his personal struggle with passions and striving for God, emphasizing the importance of obedience, humility, prayer and work in achieving spiritual perfection.
The publication is recommended for publication by the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church (IS R26-610-3223).