The Conferences by Saint John Cassian
First composed in the early fifth century, The Conferences is one of the most influential spiritual works of the Christian tradition. Written by Saint John Cassian, a monk who journeyed from Bethlehem to the deserts of Egypt and later to Gaul, this collection preserves the wisdom of the Desert Fathers in a form accessible to both East and West. Structured as twenty-four dialogues with Egyptian hermits, Cassian’s work explores the foundations of the monastic and spiritual life: purity of heart, the struggle against the vices, the practice of discernment, and the mystery of unceasing prayer.
 
Unlike his Institutes, which focuses on external discipline, The Conferences leads readers into the interior life of the soul. Here Cassian records not only the teaching but the lived example of ascetics whose entire lives were devoted to seeking God. The work became a cornerstone of Western monasticism, recommended by Saint Benedict in his Rule and studied by generations of Christians across the centuries.
 
This edition, published as Volume 37  in the Historical Studies in Church History series by The Knights of Saint George Press, offers modern readers a timeless guide to prayer, humility, and the pursuit of God’s presence.