This collection of writings by Matthew the Poor focuses on the living Christ of history: His Nativity, Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, and relation to the Church and the Holy Spirit in dogmatic and ascetical theology. Revealing the essence of the Christian life in simple yet profound images, Matthew's discourses on humility, repentance, asceticism, fasting, suffering, and unity convey the Gospel message in powerful terms to modern man.
Father Matta El-Maskeen (1919–2006), or Matthew the Poor, was a monk in the Monastery of St Macarius the Great, Wadi El-Natroun, Egypt. He is also the author of Orthodox Prayer Life, published by St Vladimir's Seminary Press.