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Greetings in Christ!

I am curious to know if there is some consensus on what would be the "must-read" texts of the various Church Fathers?

I am planning a Patristic Reading Group and wanted to find some idea of what are considered the classics. For example, St. Athanasius' work on the Incarnation seems to be one such work. Perhaps there is something by St. John Chrysostom which is considered his masterpiece? Or what of St. Gregory the Great?

Any thoughts would be good.

Dear Shawn,
Christ is among us!
I hope that you, like us here in the NE USA are coming out the Great Blackout!

I would reccommend St. John Chrsystom's "On the Priesthood", St. Basil the Great "On the Holy Spirit.", St. Maximus the Confessor "Mystagogia", St. John Damascene "The Orthodox Faith" and St. Photius the Great "Mystagogia on the Holy Spirit" as a very good beginning to patristic study. Also "The Apostolic Fathers" and the "Philokalia" are very good compendia of Patristic texts.

Best of God's Grace in this endevour.
Fr. Vladimir

Shawn:

In addition to Fr. Vladimir's excellent recommendations I would suggest "The Ladder of Divine Ascent" by St. John Climacus. It may not be considered a "patristic" work per se, but it is truly profound and of great influence in the Church.

Slava Isusu Christu!
Glenn

I would also throw in St. Athanasius "On the Incarnation". Also St. Cyril of Jerusalem's "Mystical Cathechesis" which is really the basis of sacramental catechesis is also a must-read patristic work.

If you are a family man or intend to be, St. John Chrysostom's "On Marriage and Family Life" is wonderful as well as are the "Morals" or "Longer Rules" of St. Basil the Great.

On the subject of icons St. John Damascene's "On the Holy Images" and St. Thedore the Studite's "On the Holy Icons" are also great works. St. Germanos of Constantinople has a nice commentary on the Divine Liturgy.

"Conferences" or "Institutes" by St. John Cassian are a wonderful window into the Desert Fathers, and St. Ephraim the Syrian's "Hymns on Paradise" are replete with praise and theology on the beauty of creation.

For the "advanced course", you can read St. Gregory of Nyssa's "Life of Moses" or St. Gregory Palamas' "Triads".

And, as mentioned, the Philakalia is a great treasure of patristic writings.