The Desert Fathers were the first Christian monks living in solitude in the deserts of Egypt Palestine & Syria In contrast to the formalised & official theology of the founding fathers of the church the Desert Fathers were ordinary Christians who chose to renounce the world & live lives of celibacy fasting vigil prayer & poverty in direct & simple response to the gospel Their sayings were first recorded in the 4th century & consist of spiritual advice anecdotes & parables The Desert Fathers' teachings & lives have inspired poetry opera & art as well as providing spiritual nourishment & a template for monastic life