How to choose books for an Orthodox Christian
The Internet is filled with various information; the choice of Orthodox books in stores and church shops is varied. The trouble is that on the Internet you can buy a book by an unverified author, which will do harm instead of benefit. In a church store, there is a risk of buying professional literature for theologians, which is completely incomprehensible to the average parishioner.
Orthodox literature covers many topics
For such cases, there is a list of books that must be in the library of an Orthodox Christian. When choosing books for your home Christian library, it is important not to make mistakes. Even the stamp “Published with the blessing of...” is not a guarantee that the book is not a fake. Many unscrupulous publishers refer to church censorship, in the hope that no one will check it.
The main book of all Christians
The main book to which the believer should give the greatest influence remains the Holy Scripture. This will sound strange, but many people who sincerely consider themselves believers have a vague idea of the content of the Gospel. To consider yourself a Christian and not read the Bible is, at a minimum, wrong.
It is better to start reading with the New Testament. For an unprepared person, the Bible will be a rather specific book. It contains many metaphors, allusions, and images. The works of the Holy Fathers help us understand what Christ wanted to convey to us.
The Old and New Testaments are two components of the Bible
The New Testament is more accessible to understanding; there are many good comments and explanations about it from famous ministers of the Church, so even a novice believer will not have difficulties in perceiving the information. After understanding it, you can begin to get acquainted with the Old Testament, but even here you definitely won’t be able to do without interpretations.
Important! The best book for understanding the Holy Scriptures is considered to be the work of Alexander Men “How to Read the Bible.”
What should a True Orthodox Christian read?
Below we have outlined lists of books that we are confident will be of great benefit to the True Orthodox Christian. Since today it is obvious that patristic literature has never been seen before, this should contribute to the success of “life according to spiritual advice,” which, according to Fr. Seraphim (Rose) is given by this literature. We don’t know how long we will be given the opportunity to enjoy such a large amount of this literature, which can be found everywhere. It is possible, however, that this is a short-term phenomenon that is given to us by God to prepare us for the future trials that await us in the name of Christ. We must not be deceived here. There is no need to look for modern elders with their modern problems, we must return to the spirit-bearing fathers of ancient times. We, Orthodox Christians of the last times, must have as our true friends all those who pleased God in past times, thereby we can then maintain our Holy Orthodox Faith. – Comp.
I. LIVES OF THE SAINTS RECOMMENDED TO THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN:
► ANCIENT PATERICON , presented in chapters.
► LAVSAIK, OR THE NARRATION OF THE LIFE OF THE HOLY AND BLESSED FATHERS – Bishop Palladius of Elenopol.
► LIFE OF THE DESERT FATHERS . - Presbyter Rufina.
► SPIRITUAL MEADOW . – Blessed John Mosch.
► LIVES OF THE PALESTINIAN FATHERS (V-VI centuries) – Monk Cyril of Scythopolis.
► DIALOGUES. CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE LIFE OF THE ITALIAN FATHERS AND ABOUT THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. Creation of Saint Gregory the Great (Dvoeslov)
►VITA PATRUM. Lives of the Fathers of Ancient Gaul in the 6th century. – St. Gregory of Tours. Republished by Hieromonk Seraphim (Rose).
► KIEV-PECHERSK PATERIK. Complete collection of the lives of the saints who labored in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. – Compiled by three Pechersk saints: Nestor, the Russian chronicler, Simon, Bishop of Vladimir and Suzdal, and Polycarp, Archimandrite of Pechersk. Second edition, in a new complete translation by E. Poselyanin. M. 1900.
► KIEV-PECHERSK PATERIK ACCORDING TO ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS. – Arranged into modern Russian by Maria Viktorova (In the printing house of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, 1870).
► SALVATION OF SINNERS . Compiled by a publicly accessible speech by Agapius, a monk of Crete, who labored on Holy Mount Athos (1641).
► TERATURGYMA (ΤΕΡΑΤΟΥΡΓΗΜΑ) , or miracles that took place both in the most holy and miraculous monastery of the Kiev Pechersk, and in both holy caves [of it]. – Lavra hieromonk Afanasy Kalnofoisky (Kyiv 1638).
► NEW ECLOGION . - Rev. Nicodemus Svyatogorets.
► NEW MARTYROLOGY . – Comp. Rev. Nicodemus the Holy Mountain and St. Macarius of Corinth.
► CHRISTIAN MARTYRS WHO SUFFERED IN THE EAST SINCE THE CONQUEST OF CONSTANTINOPLE BY THE TURKS . – Translation from modern Greek sacred. P. Solovyov (St. Petersburg, 1862).
► ATHONS PATERIK , or biography of the saints, on the holy Mount Athos.
► HOURS - St. Dmitry Rostovsky.
► LIVE DESCRIPTIONS OF DOMESTIC ASCETS OF PGONY IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES in 12 volumes - by month and two additional ones.
► LIVES OF THE HOLY ASCETS OF THE EASTERN CHURCH . Archbishop Filaret (Gumilevsky)
► RUSSIAN SAINTS, venerated by the WHOLE CHURCH OR LOCALLY . Experience describing their lives. vol. 1-3. – Archbishop Filaret (Gumilevsky) (St. Petersburg. 1865).
► LIVES OF THE SAINTS venerated by the ORTHODOX RUSSIAN CHURCH, AND ALSO venerated by the GREEK CHURCH, SOUTH SLAVIC, GEORGIAN AND LOCALLY venerated in RUSSIA , book. 1-10. – D.I. Protopopov (M. 1884–1885).
► FATHERMAN – St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov).
► Foolishness ABOUT CHRIST AND FOR CHRIST'S SAKE THE Foolish Fools of the EASTERN AND RUSSIAN CHURCHES . Historical sketch and lives of these ascetics of piety. – Comp. priest John Kovalevsky (M. 1902).
► NEW RUSSIAN MARTYRS in 2 volumes – Comp. Protopresbyter M. Polsky. (Jordanville 1949-1957).
► OPTINA PUSTIN AND ITS TIME. – I. M. Kontsevich (Jordanville 1970).
II. PATRISTIC WORKS RECOMMENDED TO THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN:
► MORAL RULES – St. Basil the Great († 379).
► SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS – Rev. Macarius of Egypt († 391).
► GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL LIFE – Rev. Barsanuphius the Great († VI century) and John the Prophet († VI century).
► HEALTHY TEACHINGS – Abba Dorotheos († late 6th century).
► LADDER and ► WORD TO THE SHEPHERD – Rev. John Climacus, abbot of Mount Sinai († 7th century).
► GUIDE GUIDE and ► QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON VARIOUS TOPICS – Rev. Anastasius Sinait, abbot of Mount Sinai († after 701).
► ASCEITIVE WORDS – Rev. Isaac the Syrian, bishop Nineveh († 1st half of the 8th century).
► GRACE (EVERGETIN) – Paul, abbot of the monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos Evergetis (Benefactor) in Constantinople († 1054), published by Ven. Nicodemus Svyatogorets.
► ALPHABETIC ALPHABET – Rev. Meletius of Gali, Confessor († 1286).
► SEVEN WORDS ABOUT LIFE IN CHRIST – Holy Rights. Nicholas Kavasila († 1392).
► THE ROYAL WAY OF THE LORD'S CROSS and ► ILOTROPION – St. John (Maksimovich), Met. Tobolsk and all of Siberia († 1715).
► ABOUT TRUE CHRISTIANITY and ► SPIRITUAL TREASURE COLLECTED FROM THE WORLD – St. Tikhon of Zadonsk († 1783).
► AUTOBIOGRAPHY – Rev. Paisiy Velichkovsky, archimandrite of the Nyametsky monastery in Moldova († 1794).
► ENTHUSIASTIC CLASSES IN FOOD OF THE SOUL – Translation of St. fathers not included in the Philokalia of St. Paisiy Velichkovsky.
► INVISIBLE ARGUMENT (1796), republished by Rev. Nikodim Svyatogorets
► PROFESSIONAL OF CHRISTIANS – Rev. Nikodim Svyatogorets († 1809).
► PHILOKALIA (PHILOCALIA) – compiled by Rev. Nicodemus the Holy Mountain and St. Makariy Met. Corinthian († 1805).
► OFFERING TO MODERN MONASKY – St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) († 1867).
► THE PATH TO SALVATION – St. Theophan the Recluse († 1894).
► MY LIFE IN CHRIST in 4 volumes (1905) – Holy rights. O. John of Kronstadt († 1908).
► IN THE EMBRACE OF THE STEPFATHER. DIARY OF A MINOR in 11 issues (1905-1914) - under pseudonym. A. I. = Svschch. Joseph (Petrovykh), Metropolitan of Petrograd († 1937).
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Rev. John the Prophet: “Tie your laden boat to the ship of your fathers, and they will guide you to Jesus, who can give you humility and strength, intelligence, a crown and joy” (Guide to Spiritual Life. Answer 258).
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Saint Caesar, Bishop of Arles: “In our days, how can we appear before the holy fathers of antiquity if we neglect to transmit to our children what we find in the countless works they compiled for the benefit of all the churches, which were written with such great zeal and pious zeal? If we do not have the power to compose our own books, should we at least be neglectful of that which neither we ourselves nor our fellow servants set forth publicly for the salvation of souls, but which we find in what has already been written by the holy fathers? I speak the truth to your piety: I am very afraid that the sermons and countless works of the holy fathers, which they composed with great diligence, and prepared for distribution by all the priests, will testify before the court of the eternal Judge. If we cannot gather spiritual fruits by our own labor, then we will simply pass on, with holy zeal and selfless charity, what has been gathered by others” (Spiritual Exhortation of a Bishop, or the Humble Petition of a Sinner to all God’s faithful servants and bishops).
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St. Paisiy Velichkovsky: “When you move away from attention and reading the books of your fathers, you will fall from the peace of Christ and love, that is, from doing the commandments of Christ, and rebellion, rumors and disorder, spiritual confusion, hesitation and hopelessness will enter into you, and murmuring against each other and condemnation: for the multiplication of these, the love of many will dry up... and if this happens, this cathedral will soon be ruined, first spiritually, but in time and physically.” (Life and writings of the Moldavian elder Paisius Velichkovsky)
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St. Theophan the Recluse: “The exercises or activities related here are: reading and hearing the word of God, the writings of the fathers, the lives of the holy fathers, mutual conversation and questioning of the most experienced. It’s good to read or listen, better – a mutual interview, and even better – the word of an experienced person. The most fruitful is the word of God, and behind it are the writings of the fathers and the lives of the saints. However, you need to know that lives are best for beginners, the writings of the fathers are for average people, and God’s word is for the perfect . All these sources of truths and ways to draw them obviously contribute to imprinting them on the mind and, together, maintaining the spirit of jealousy. Often one text warms the spirit for more than one day; there are lives of which one memory evokes the heat of jealousy; There are passages in the holy fathers that are all-stimulating. Therefore, there is a good rule: write out such passages and keep them in case of need, to excite the spirit” (The Path to Salvation. III. 2. Indication of exercises. A.).
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“The works of St. Tikhon became the basis of my entire pastoral life. Back in 1921, blessing me for pastorate, Elder Anatoly of Optina told me: “Take the “True Christianity” of Tikhon of Zadonsk and live according to his instructions.” (Archbishop Andrey (Rymarenko). Orthodoxy, Bolshevism and our emigration. // “Orthodox Path” for 1987)
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Hieromonk Seraphim Rose: “From the literature, I can recommend to you those books that are specifically intended for those living in the world, and those that set out the foundations of spiritual life, such as, for example, “My Life in Christ” is right. John of Kronstadt, “Invisible Warfare” by Rev. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, Lives of the Saints, and the above-mentioned “Offering to Modern Monasticism”: this book, in the part that constitutes the “spiritual alphabet,” is also addressed to the laity. A diary (an ordinary general notebook will do) is of great benefit to spiritual growth and a sober outlook on life, where it is good to write down both excerpts from the books you read, to which you paid special attention for one reason or another, as well as your own notes, including about their shortcomings that require correction. How important this is is clearly demonstrated by “My Life in Christ” is right. John of Kronstadt" (Advice to contemporaries. // Living Orthodoxy, Jan.-Feb., 1984).
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Optina Elder Rev. Macarius made an important note regarding which works of St. The Fathers should be read by ordinary Orthodox Christians. This is all the more important because even today many are “zealous beyond understanding” (Rom. 10:2), instead of learning from the works of the Holy Spirit. The Fathers were destined to take on patristic works of a very high level, which lead them to a kind of dead end. Ordinary laity begin to theologize, although not everyone is given this and it is salutary, as St. taught about it. Gregory the Theologian. The Monk Macarius, knowing all these difficulties, gives the following teaching to his spiritual children: “Read the books of your fathers, but more active ones , because in your dispensation speculative ones can do more harm than good. And from those who are active, you will recognize your weakness and humble your heart, and then God will look at you and send His help to fulfill His will” (Letter 6). Elsewhere he develops this advice in even more detail: “Reading the books of the fathers is very necessary and useful for knowing the will of God, for the fathers fulfilled the Word of God handed down to us in Scripture and lived through it with an active life and left an example in their teachings. If you read only the word of God, without reading the fathers, then, not knowing the way of life and struggle, you think that you can fulfill it and do not humble yourself. And by reading the fathers, you strive to fulfill what is written, but without reaching their measure, you recognize your weakness and humble yourself and receive the mercy of God, which extends especially to the humble. In the Fatherland it is written: “Brother asked the elder, saying: What will I do, since I honor the scriptures of the father and do not do them? The elder answered: By honoring the words of the father and not doing anything, he humbles himself and receives the mercy of God, but by not honoring he does not humble himself and does not receive the mercy of God.” Therefore, there is no small benefit in reading their active teachings . The bodily works you perform, “without knowing why”, are wrong, but you do it out of love for God, but imperfect, but having it in your heart like a small embryo, from faith that comes from it. Reading the word of God and the examples of the lives of the fathers who conquered passions and achieved the love of God, we believe this and are compelled to first perform physical deeds and show through deeds love for our neighbor. When we do this correctly, with humility, we move on to vision, we receive spiritual consolation and God’s love (for God) is shown to us more clearly” (Letter 7. // I.M. Kontsevich. Optina Pustyn and its time. Jordanville 1970.).
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“But if a modern ascetic can no longer find an experienced leader, and this is not through his own fault, but due to the complete absence of such, he still should not lose heart and abandon his feat. On the advice of Nil Sorsky, a monk of recent times should be guided by the Holy Scriptures and the works of the Holy Fathers, but not alone, but “with the advice of successful brethren, with careful and prudent verification of this advice by Scripture”” (I.M. Kontsevich. Acquiring the Holy Spirit in the Paths Ancient Rus' (Paris, 1952).
***
The actual reading of St. Fathers are not enough for spiritual improvement; it must be reflected in the living perception of the reader. O. Seraphim (Rose) taught that no elevated states are needed to learn the truth; All you need is a loving heart, contrite and humbled by suffering (heart disease). In his article “The Holy Fathers of Orthodoxy” he showed that they are the inspirers and faithful guides to true Christianity in recent times, i.e. that their creations appear to us instead of the withered old age, also Fr. Seraphim gave advice on reading the works of Sts. fathers, and also warned against reading them incorrectly. (Originally published in English (Holy Fathers of Orthodoxy).
Comp. Priest Michael M. Jega
- ← Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) – Ecumenical, or Greek, or Russian, or Arab? (1932)
- V. N. Ilyin - Venerable Seraphim of Sarov (1971). →
Works of the Holy Fathers
One should become familiar with patristic literature in order to better understand the essence of spiritual life. Such works help to understand that church life is not only external piety, but also many years of spiritual experience of ascetics and ordinary Christians.
Interpretations of St. John Chrysostom
The works of John Chrysostom are a kind of primer on spiritual life. His interpretation of the Holy Scriptures has been a guiding light for all Christians for many years. The book helps to understand all the complexities of the New and Old Testaments.
Works of Theophan the Recluse
The Gospel Story by Theophan the Recluse occupies a special place in Christian literature.
Theophan the Recluse “Gospel Story”
In his book, the Saint outlined in detail the entire earthly journey of the Savior, arranging the events in chronological order. The work “How to Learn to Pray” helps to avoid mistakes during the prayer rule.
Books by Tikhon Zadonsky
Tikhon of Zadonsk is a major Orthodox theologian. It is not for nothing that he is considered one of the best Christian authors. His books, written in simple, accessible language, are invaluable answers to eternal questions about God and man, which do not lose relevance to this day.
Food for our soul
For many people, the world of Orthodox, spiritual literature is mysterious. After all, we don’t get to know him at school or college. The abundance of books published today by Orthodox publishing houses raises many questions: where to start with your self-education? Are all books useful for a layman to read? We are talking about this with Bishop Pachomius of Intercession and Nicholas .
— Vladyka, please tell me which books belong to spiritual literature?
How can we define this concept? — The concept of “spiritual literature” is quite broad. This is a whole series of books on various topics. Often, spiritual literature includes the works of holy ascetics, who set forth in them the experience of their spiritual life. The main criterion for the spirituality of literature is its compliance with the gospel spirit. These books help you understand the Gospel, get to know the Divine world, improve spiritually, learn prayer, and most importantly, learn to compare your actions with the commandments of Christ.
In the modern world, the concepts of “spirituality” and “spiritual development” have acquired a slightly different meaning than that which is put into it in Christianity. An Orthodox person puts into the concept of “spirituality” the development of the human soul, its desire for God. Therefore, we can probably talk about Muslim and Buddhist spirituality. This is what the authors of the course Basics of Religious Cultures and Secular Ethics proceed from today, assuming the presence of confessional spirituality. And talking about some kind of abstract spirituality, when a person simply imagines images, concepts of some vague spiritual life, is not serious. Sometimes this can even lead to tragedy. Because, not wanting to understand the spiritual, supernatural world, a person can fall under the power of fallen spirits and be seriously damaged.
— Where should a person begin to get acquainted with the world of spiritual literature: from serious works or from the basics?
— The first spiritual book that every person needs to read is the Gospel. Then it’s worth getting acquainted with the interpretation of Holy Scripture. Because the Gospel is a rather specific book, it contains many deep images, historical allusions, and examples. In order to understand them, you need to have a certain skill, knowledge, and conceptual apparatus. Many patristic works allow us to correctly interpret the Holy Scriptures and help us understand what Christ is telling us and teaching us. You can recommend, for example, the works of St. John Chrysostom or Theophylact of Bulgaria.
And then we need to go on a broad front. On the one hand, church life is determined by external actions, a set of rules of external behavior. A lot of good literature is being published on this subject these days. You should definitely read “The Law of God,” which tells us what a temple is, how to behave correctly in it, how to confess and receive communion.
The second important direction is the development of a person’s inner spiritual life. Because you can learn to observe all the rules of external Christian piety, but at the same time not really understand what is happening in the Church and what spiritual life is. It is imperative to become familiar with patristic literature. Every Christian needs to read “The Ladder” by St. John Climacus, “Soulful Teachings” by Abba Dorotheos, “Invisible Warfare” by Nicodemus the Holy Mountain. Because this is a kind of primer of spiritual life. In order to apply the Gospel in your life, you need the example of ascetics, whose works, exploits, and quests we meet on the pages of spiritual books.
— Modern people often refer to the lack of time that could be allocated for serious reading. What would you suggest?
— I don’t think that this is a problem only for modern people; it’s unlikely that there was more time in ancient times.
There is only one piece of advice: start reading and devote even the shortest, but still constant time to it during the day. For example, for 10–20 minutes before going to bed, anyone can read “Soulful Teachings” by Abba Dorotheos. You know, when they talk about modern man, I always remember a scene from the cartoon about Prostokvashino: “I’m so tired at work that I barely have the strength to watch TV.” - But on the other hand, it also happens that we read a lot, we know about the intricacies of spiritual life, but with implementation everything is difficult.
How to make spiritual books a guide to action for yourself? — Fulfilling any order is always associated with certain difficulties. It is always difficult to do things that cause difficulties. And when we read about the fulfillment of a certain virtue - such as love towards one's neighbor, forgiveness, humility - it is always difficult. But here it’s worth remembering the Russian proverb: “You can’t pull a fish out of a pond without difficulty.” Therefore, the main principle here is: read it - start, even with the smallest thing. The man says: “I can’t pray, I don’t have enough time.” Start praying with one or two prayers, reading with one or two pages a day. So that you do not become like people who are always learning and can never come to the knowledge of the truth (see: 2 Tim. 3:7). Priests are often asked: “How to learn humility?” You cannot do this without starting to humble yourself in front of your boss, husband, wife, children, and everyday difficulties. So it is with other virtues.
—Can serious ascetic labors harm a person? After all, sometimes you can hear the following statement: “These are books for monks; it is better for lay people not to read them.”
- No, I think that spiritual books cannot harm a person. You can also say: “Can the works of professors and scientists harm a schoolchild starting to study physics?” Everything has its time, and everyone has their own measure. A beginning Christian needs to read spiritual literature. And although by definition it is almost entirely monastic, what is written in it can be applied to any Christian. After all, by and large, how does a monk differ from a layman? Only a celibate life. All the rest of the instructions that are offered in spiritual literature are valid for both the monk and the layman.
But at the same time, you need to understand perfectly well that the main virtue, which the holy fathers often write about, is reasoning. You need to be able to correctly evaluate what you read. Man is designed in such a way that it is always easier to perceive extremes. Since the book was written by a monk, and I am not a monk, then I don’t need to read it. Often such a thought becomes a reason, an excuse, that the small measure of spiritual development that I have determined for myself is enough for me. But if we open the Gospel, we will see that Christ calls man to perfection. Therefore, be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matt. 5:48).
—Are there books that a church person would be ashamed not to read?
— It’s difficult to say about each person. Perhaps we can call it the Gospel for everyone. By the way, you can meet many people who call themselves churchgoers, but have never read the Gospel or Holy Scripture. I think calling yourself a Christian and not reading the Gospel, knowing how to read, is very shameful. And then you need to get acquainted with the interpretations of the Holy Scriptures, and with hagiographic historical literature, which makes it possible to evaluate your life using the examples of pious ascetics. You need to be interested in modern church literature and read periodicals. There is a lot of literature, and the main thing is to set priorities correctly. Help with this should be provided by a priest with whom a person can meet in church and have a thoughtful conversation.
Unfortunately, today people read little at all, and therefore there are few people interested in spiritual literature. Therefore, it is important that the priest in the church tells parishioners about the benefits of spiritual reading, about new books, and about spiritual writers. There should be a good library at the temple, a selection of books on a candle box or in a church shop. The assortment of books sold on the candle box always gives an opportunity to understand how the parish lives. In private conversations with parishioners during non-liturgical times or during confession, the priest should recommend spiritual books.
— We are now celebrating Orthodox Book Day. Various events will be held by the parishes of the Intercession Diocese. How can every Christian celebrate this holiday?
— The most direct way: take a spiritual book and start reading it.
Lives of the Saints
Nothing strengthens a novice Christian in faith more than a description of the deeds of great ascetics. For every believer, the Saints become an example of patience, wisdom and kindness.
Life of Seraphim of Sarov
Believers need examples of ascetics so that through this prism they evaluate their path and strive for a pious lifestyle. One of the most famous Orthodox ascetics is St. Seraphim of Sarov. Metropolitan Veniamin Fedchenkov’s book about Holy Father Seraphim is one of the best descriptions of the life path of the righteous man.
Book about the life of Seraphim of Sarov
Life path of Sergius of Radonezh
The Monk Sergius of Radonezh did not leave behind books or theological works. The life of the Saint was described in detail by his disciple, Epiphanius the Wise. Thanks to his book “The Chosen One of the Holy Trinity,” believers managed to carry the bright image of the Saint through the centuries. St. Sergius is revered as a miracle worker and spiritual collector of the Russian people.
Life of Matrona of Moscow
Zinaida Zhdanova’s book about Holy Mother Matrona is a living testimony to the ascetic feat of the nation’s comforter. Matronushka’s life is an example of boundless kindness and mercy; her memory fills the hearts of Christians with the spirit of faith and piety.
Books of the fundamentals of Orthodox doctrine
For a better understanding of the organization of church life, a Christian should read the “Law of God” and the catechism.
Catechism. Saint Philaret Drozdov
Among the works that explain the structure of the Church and the meaning of divine services, it is better to choose the works of the following authors:
- Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy;
- Archimandrite Job Gumerov;
- Priest Daniil Sysoev;
- Saint Philaret Drozdov.
Priests' Instructions
Archpriest Andrey Tkachev
Many priests recommend that parishioners starting the journey of becoming a church member read books and listen to the sermons of Archpriest Andrei Tkachev. The priest answers complex questions in simple language and passionately defends the truth of the Orthodox faith. The books are presented in the form of a fascinating conversation. A person discovering the world of Orthodoxy will be interested in reading them.
Archimandrite John Krestyankin
“Soulful instructions” by Archimandrite John Krestyankin contain that simple life wisdom that is sometimes so necessary for all people, regardless of their religion.
Book of Archimandrite John Krestyankin
Father John is one of the most revered elders in Orthodoxy.
Hegumen Nikon Vorobyov
Hegumen Nikon is often compared to such outstanding ascetics as Theophan the Recluse and Ignatius Brianchaninov. In the patristic instruction “Letters to Spiritual Children,” the Saint gives advice to believers about spiritual life and the salvation of the soul.
Alexander Torik - CHURCHING for beginners in church life
1 …
Alexander Torik
CHURCHING for beginners in church life
Preface
This work is dedicated to my first mentor in church ministry.
To Archpriest Vasily Vladyshevsky with love and gratitude.
Currently, a large number of people who have understood in their minds or felt in their hearts that God exists, who are aware, albeit unclearly, of their belonging to the Orthodox Church and who want to join Her, are faced with the problem of churching , that is, joining the Church as a full-fledged and full-fledged member of Her. .
This problem is very serious for many, since upon entering the temple, an unprepared person is faced with a completely new, incomprehensible and even somewhat frightening world.
Priests' robes, icons, lamps, chants and prayers in an obscure language - all this creates in the newcomer a feeling of alienation in the temple, leading to thoughts about whether all this is necessary for communication with God?
Many people say: “The main thing is that God is in the soul, but going to church is not necessary.”
This is fundamentally wrong. Popular wisdom says: “To whom the Church is not a Mother, God is not a Father.” But in order to understand how true this saying is, it is necessary to find out what the Church is? What is the meaning of Her existence? Why is Her mediation necessary in human communication with God?
In order to answer these and many other questions that arise for a person standing before the open gates of the Church, this work was written.
The basis of this work was material collected and processed during lectures given during two year-long Sunday School courses for adults.
Since this material was developed on the basis of questions from “Sunday School” listeners and answers to them, in this publication it became expedient to use the form of presentation in the form of questions and answers.
Due to the fact that this publication is intended for people who already recognize the existence of God and want to know Him, people who are interested in Orthodoxy and feel, albeit unconsciously, their inner connection with Him, in this work we will not consider the evidence of the existence of God and discuss with atheists or adherents of other faiths.
The purpose of this publication is to help modern people understand the meaning of the inner life of the Church, to consciously become its full-fledged member, a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, that is, to become a church member .
I apologize in advance to those reading for the shortcomings of this work that it contains, and if it helps anyone to get even one step closer to God and the Church, I ask you to remember the author in your prayers.
Start
Question: Where should a modern person who has believed in God and is aware of his belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church begin his “churching”?
Answer: First of all, every Orthodox Christian must have faith, know and understand the fundamentals of the doctrine of the Christian Church and try with all his might to live by faith.
In order to have faith, it is not enough to put on a pectoral cross, go into a church and light a candle there, being confident that you are already “Orthodox”.
Our Lord Jesus Christ repeatedly denounced even His disciples, witnesses of His numerous miracles, of lack of faith, who themselves performed many miraculous deeds with the Power of the Holy Spirit received from Him. “Truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed and say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”[1]
True Faith is a Gift from God. And this Gift is given to those who sincerely, “from the bottom of their hearts,” long to receive It. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”[2]
But in order for a thirst to gain Faith to settle in a person’s soul, that person must force himself to realize that the question of God, of Faith is not just a question of “life and death,” but of Eternal Life and Death.
Obviously, any person, at least once in his life, has thought: who am I, why do I live, is there anything after death?
Unfortunately, most people are not looking for an answer to these questions, but, absorbed in worries about their “daily bread”, and some about a new “Mercedes” or other items of luxury or necessity, they try to erase them from their consciousness or put them off for “someday.” Then".
The scary thing is that this “later” may not come. The soul of a person who lives only with the worries of “This age”, under the burden of sins accumulated throughout life, suffocates and dies, becomes incapable of perceiving spiritual phenomena, incapable of even wanting to know God. As sad as it may be, the number of such “dead souls” is increasing catastrophically in our time.
Those who do not drown out the meek voice of the soul, yearning for separation from its Creator, sooner or later face questions about God: does He exist; if there is, then what is He; which church has the correct doctrine about Him?
And if a person sincerely wants to receive answers to them, without being embarrassed by his surroundings, national or any other prejudices, then God, seeing the pure desire of his heart, certainly reveals Himself to him, giving him the opportunity to know the Truth and join Christ, who is: “The Way and the Truth and the Life.”[3]
It is also necessary to take into account that by following the path of the mind, through analysis and reflection, especially considering the modern amount of information available to everyone, you can quite quickly come to the understanding that God exists.
But remain with this rational, fruitless knowledge.
The main instrument for knowing God is the human heart, a heart that suffers, seeks, and languishes in the absence of Grace.
And, if it is not filled “over the edge” with base passions, envy, malice, lust, there will always be a tiny “living” piece in it, capable of feeling God, containing His Love, becoming the beginning of the Salvation of the soul.
An example of this is the thief crucified on the cross “on the right side” of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is how the Gospel tells about this: “They led two evildoers with Him to death. And when they came to a place called Lobnoye, they crucified Him and the villains there, one on the right and the other on the left. Jesus said: Father! Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they divided His garments by casting lots.
And the people stood and watched. The leaders also mocked them, saying: He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the chosen Christ of God.”
“One of the hanged villains slandered Him and said: if You are the Christ, save Yourself and us. The other, on the contrary, calmed him down and said: Or are you not afraid of God, when you yourself are condemned to the same thing? And we are condemned justly, because we accepted what was worthy of our deeds, but He did nothing bad. And he said to Jesus: remember me, Lord, when you come into your kingdom! And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” "[4]
This is the power of God's Love for His creation!
In the last minutes of his life, the robber’s conscience awoke: he pitied the Crucified One innocently, and the Crucified God forgave him all his sins and was the first to admit him into Paradise!
The Merciful Lord will forgive us all our sins if we repent. If we want. If we have time. If we do not kill our souls with sins, making them incapable of repentance.
So, in order to have Faith, you need to want to receive It.
And having awakened this desire in yourself, you need to ask God for Faith, like the man who came to the Lord Jesus Christ and asked for the healing of his son, to whom Christ said: “If you can believe a little, all things are possible to him who believes.
And immediately the boy’s father exclaimed with tears: I believe, Lord! Help my unbelief.”[5]
Christ, seeing the sincere desire of this man, helped “his unbelief” and gave him Faith, and with it the healing of his son.
Likewise, we, who want to receive Faith, need to ask It from the Lord, and not rationally, with a “cold heart,” but warmly, “with tears,” as children sometimes ask their parents for what they want.
And, if our desire is sincere and our request is persistent, the Lord will give us both Faith and countless confirmations of its truth.
The second condition necessary for “churching” is knowledge of the basics of religious doctrine, that is: Who is God? What does He want from us? What does He promise us? Who is Jesus Christ? Why did He come? What did He teach?
What is the Church? Why is it needed? How can we live as Christians?
All these questions are answered by “Holy Scripture” and “Holy Tradition” - the two pillars on which the Holy Catholic Apostolic Orthodox Church stands.
Question: What is “Holy Scripture”?
Answer: The Holy Scriptures are a collection of books in which God Himself, by His Spirit, through the Holy Prophets and Apostles, gave us a revelation about Himself, about the history of the relationship between God and man, about the Kingdom of Heaven and about the ways to achieve It.
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