Items related to The Joy of the Holy: Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Orthodox...
Synopsis
". . . A unique book that is much more than a biography. This particular work is significant in that it is structured as a systematic study of his spiritual teaching. Presented as a patristic analysis in comparison with similar teachings of the Church Fathers, this book also serves as an ideal introduction to Orthodox spiritual life. The very practical and applicable approach of the author will appeal to all readers regardless of their level of spiritual progress. Whether one is already familiar with the teachings of the ascetic Fathers, or whether one is a beginner with a new thirst for knowledge and prayer, the interests of each and every reader will be inspired by this book . . ." (From the Foreword by Archbishop HERMAN of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, Orthodox Church in America)
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From the Author
(From the Prologue) The growing interest in St. Seraphim would in itself justify a new book portraying his life. . . . It is not, however, the purpose of the present work to describe the life of St. Seraphim. Rather, this work deals primarily with the systematic presentation of his spiritual teaching. This work is presented first with a brief description of the life of St. Seraphim, which serves to familiarize the reader with the background information needed to appreciate the meaning of his ministry and message. After the presentation of biographical material, there is a discussion of the diverse ways in which St. Seraphim ministered to the society in which he lived, and how this ministry continues to affect, whether directly or indirectly, the lives of the faithful today. A detailed study of his spiritual teaching follows, discussing the relevance of particular themes for contemporary society. The sources of St. Seraphim's message are then presented, followed by an analysis of the Conversation with Nicholas Motovilov, which forms the main source of his teaching on the acquisition of the grace of the Holy Spirit. The historical importance of this narrative, its practical implications for today, and its spiritual significance for contemporary man are also discussed.
Other practical aspects of his message are compared with similar patristic writings. Such aspects include his advice on fasting, the pursuit of certain ascetic virtues, his extraordinary devotion to the study of Scripture and to the Theotokos, as well as his teaching on practical methods of prayer, the difficulties encountered therein, and the role of silence and solitude. Finally, his insight into the gifts of joy and peace is also compared with similar writings of various Church Fathers. This will show how the practical message of St. Seraphim, which is based and founded upon the traditional teachings of the ancient ascetic saints, is quite applicable to the lives of the faithful today. From a purely historical point of view, the lives of saints serve as mirrors, reflecting the events of the world at their particular place and time. However it is their lives themselves that often have an important impact -- not only upon the world in which they lived, but also upon the world which they have left behind. Their lives are rooted in the fertile ground of Holy Tradition, which is blended together with their own individual character traits. This is especially true of St. Seraphim. He came to embody the very heart and soul of Orthodox spiritual life, mingling it with his own particular personality, his care, concern and great love for the individual person, and his highly personal approach to all who came to him for help. St. Seraphim's life is living proof that modern man can indeed acquire the same fullness of the grace of the Holy Spirit which has manifested itself throughout the history of the Orthodox Church. The work here presented is humbly offered as a testimony to the current renewal of Orthodox spiritual life among the Russian faithful. It is hoped that a small spark of inspiration from this contemporary Russian revival may be passed on to believers in English-speaking countries.
About the Author
Harry M. Boosalis, a native of Minneapolis, received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota. He graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts (Class of 1985) with a Master of Divinity degree. A doctoral candidate in Orthodox Theology at the University of Thessaloniki, Greece, he teaches Dogmatic Theology at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. Sergei D. Arhipov, the translator of the writings of St. Seraphim appended to this book, received a Master of Arts degree in Slavic Languages and Literatures from Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Science in Information Studies from Drexel University. An experienced translator of technical and literary works from Russian into English, he has also translated numerous liturgical texts from the Old Church Slavonic. A native of Philadelphia, he now resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
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- PublisherSt. Tikhon's Monastery Press
- Publication date1993
- ISBN 10 1878997394
- ISBN 13 9781878997395
- BindingPaperback
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages168
- Rating
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