Description
— About the Book —
This is one of the most important and accessible texts of Orthodox Christian teaching on the spiritual life, and not unlike the better known “Philokalia.” The author, St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) describes this work as his legacy “of soul saving instruction.” He promises that “Those who carry out these instructions will enter into possession of spiritual riches.” In an age even more alienated from spiritual culture and rooted in materialism, his words pose both a challenge and an invitation to all who ever say to themselves “There must be more to life than this.” For anyone who desires to deepen their own spiritual journey based upon an encounter with Christ as God, this book is essential reading. Its contents may ultimately be accepted or rejected, but they will be very difficult to ignore.
Like the other leaders of this Russian monastic revival, Ignatius was deeply rooted in the ascetic and mystical doctrine of the Greek Fathers, yet there was nothing antiquarian or academic about his devotion to the teaching of the past: for this ancient tradition was something that he had experienced directly, as a creative and dynamic reality in his personal life.
–Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia
Subjects covered include unceasing prayer, the need for spiritual direction and the importance of Divine meditation. The original Russian edition was published in 1867. The work encapsulates the legacy of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) as it was published in the year of his death, after some forty years of monastic life. There is a helpful thirteen-page introduction is provided by Archimandrite (now Metropolitan) Kallistos (aka Timothy Ware) as well as a glossary of terms. The 2nd edition was reedited and newly typeset. It includes interior design features, subject and scripture indexes, and includes a short life of St Ignatius.
— Author Biography —
St. Ignatius (Branchininov) was one of the leading spiritual writers of 19th Century Russia. He became a monk in 1831 and the bishop of the Caucasus and the Black Sea in 1857. He devoted much of his life to writing spiritual works. He reposed in 1867.
— Contents —
Foreword to the Original English-Language Edition
Introduction
Part I: COUNSELS FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF MONKS
1 On the Study of the Commandments of the Gospel and On the Life According to the Commandments of the Gospel
2 People Will Be Judged at God’s Judgment According to the Commandments of the Gospel
3 The Monastic Life Is Life According to the Commandments of the Gospel
4 On the Precariousness of the Monastic Life When It Is Not Based on the Commandments of the Gospel
5 On Guarding Oneself from Occasions of Sin or Temptation
6 God-Pleasing Life in Human Society must Precede God-Pleasing Life in Silence and Solitude
7 On Guarding Oneself from the Good That Belongs to Fallen Human Nature
8 Concerning the Enmity and Conflict Between Fallen Nature and the Commandments of the Gospel
9 On Reading the Gospel and the Writings of the Fathers
10 On Discretion in Reading the Patristic Books on the Monastic Life
11 On the Solitary Life
12 Concerning Life in Obedience to an Elder
13 Concerning Life under Spiritual Direction
14 The Aim of the Monastic Life Consists in Studying the Will of God, in Making It One’s Own, and in Obeying It
15 Love for Our Neighbor Is a Means of Attaining to Love for God
16 Humility in Our Dealings with Our Neighbor Is a Means of Attaining to Love for Our Neighbor
17 On Prayer
18 On Preparation for Prayer
19 On Attention at Prayer
20 On the Cell Rule
21 Concerning Bows
22 On Adapting the Cell Rule to the Monastic Rule
23 On the Jesus Prayer
24 On the Practice of the Jesus Prayer
25 On Unceasing Prayer
26 On the Oral, Mental, and Cordial Jesus Prayer
27 On Divine Meditation 81
28 On the Remembrance of Death 83
29 The Narrow Way Is Designed by God Himself
30 The Teaching of the Holy Fathers Concerning the Narrow Way
31 Troubles Are the Special Lot of the Monks of the Last Time
32 Sources of Monastic Temptations
33 On the Necessity for Courage in Temptations
34 On Sobriety or Vigilance
35 On the Use and Harm of Bodily Discipline
36 Concerning Animal and Spiritual Zeal
37 Concerning Almsgiving
38 Concerning Poverty or Detachment
39 Concerning Human Glory
40 Concerning Resentment or Remembrance of Wrongs
41 The Meaning of the Term “World”
42 On Avoiding Acquaintance with the Opposite Sex
43 Concerning the Fallen Angels
44 The First Way of Struggling with the Fallen Angels
45 The Second Way of Struggling with the Fallen Angels
46 Concerning Dreams
47 On the Close Affinity Between Virtues and Vices
48 Concerning the Special Opposition of the Fallen Spirits to Prayer
49 On Keeping the Eye of the Soul from All That Is Harmful to It
50 Concerning Repentance and Mourning
Conclusion: Adaptations of the Rules for Present-Day Monasticism
Part II: RULES OF OUTWARD CONDUCT FOR NOVICES
Introduction: On the Need for Rules
The Meaning of a Monastery, Rule 1
On Obedience and Obediences, Rules 2 and 3
On the Treatment of Sins, Rule 4
On Prayer and Conduct in Church, Rules 5–18
On the Duties of Readers, Rules 19–22
On Movement in Church, Rule 23
On Bows and Prostrations, Rule 24
On Uncovering the Head, Rule 25
On Maintaining Strict Reverence in Church, Rules 26–27
On Behavior in Refectory and Use of Food, Rules 28–30
On the Use of Wine, Rule 31
On Conduct in One’s Cell and Reception of Visitors, Rules 32–37
On Clothing, Rule 38
On Relations with Brethren of the Monastery, Rules 39–43
On Leaving the Monastery, Rules 44–49
On Venerating the Miraculous Icons and Holy Relics, Rule 50
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If your return is accepted, we’ll send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.
You can always contact us for any return question at orders@stspress.com.
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Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Exceptions / non-returnable items
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Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards.
Exchanges
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European Union 14 day cooling off period
Notwithstanding the above, if the merchandise is being shipped into the European Union, you have the right to cancel or return your order within 14 days, for any reason and without a justification. As above, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
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