Originally written in Greek in the 4th century by St. Macarius the Great, Institutes of Christian Perfection offers spiritual wisdom from an experienced monk and desert dweller of the Egyptian desert at the dawn of monasticism. In this text, St. Macarius presents a different way of seeing the world—a different way of being. He proposes a way of life that is antithetical to modern life, which means he is offering a road map away from the world, and a path towards God—the way of healing and nourishing the soul.

This book is extremely deep and complex, and requires a slow and thoughtful approach. St. Macarius does not write to keep you on the edge of your seat, nor is he trying to entertain with stories or fanfare. The saint writes in a slow, meditative and poetic style, that weaves intricate theological concepts with Scripture, revealing mystical realities about God and the other world.

This edition was translated from the Greek by Granville Penn, the grandson of William Penn (founder of the Province of Pennsylvania) and was originally published in London in 1816, and has been out of print since. This text is one of the earliest examples of the "sayings of the Desert Fathers" that offers insights into the contemplative tradition of early Christianity.