The Shepherd was written by Herma, brother of the tenth bishop and Pope of Rome, St. Pius I (Pius led the Christian community of Rome from 140 to 155 AD). It is one of the most revered Christian works - some even rather recklessly call it " lost book of the New Testament"). “Shepherd” was never included in the New Testament. The first canon of Holy Scripture known to us, the so-called canon of Muratori (named after the discoverer), compiled around 200 AD, mentioned the “Shepherd” with the clarification that, since many knew Hermas personally, not everyone considers it permissible to read his work in church ( collection) along with the Gospels and Epistles of the Apostles. Nevertheless, this book rightfully occupies one of the main places among Christian literature and can rightfully be considered the ancestor of the genre of writings of the Holy Fathers.