Book Description
This epic biography of Hieromonk Seraphim Rose tells the unique story of a man who, having grown up in a typical American home in southern California, became one of the greatest teachers of Orthodox Christianity in our times, loved and revered throughout Russia and Eastern Europe.
Quoting at length from his letters, journals, manuscripts, recorded lectures and published writings, this book traces Fr. Seraphim's intense search for truth and his philosophical development, setting forth his message and offering a glimpse into the soul of a man who lived, even while on this earth, in the otherworldly Kingdom of God.
A greatly revised version of Not of This World, this new Life of Fr. Seraphim incorporates years of new research and includes much additional material. Because it deals closely with events in the recent history of Orthodoxy in America, the book has been reviewed prior to publication by clergy, monastics and laypeople from most of the Orthodox jurisdictions represented in this country. New edition includes: 1.)New, previously unpublished material by Fr. Seraphim. 2.)New reminiscences by those who knew Fr. Seraphim. 3.)63 new photographs. 4.)Expanded and updated bibliography and source notes.
1160 pages, 234 illustrations, paperback, Smyth-sewn binding for greater durability.
Customer Reviews:
Martyric Christian Knight Against the Modern Nihilist Beast.......2007-02-15
From his beginnings as seemingly typical American Protestant and then Zen beatnik to Guenonian esoterist and finally saintly Orthodox spiritual warrior, Fr. Seraphim Rose led a metaphysically agonistic life and eventually met the self-imposed challenge of defining and embodying the authentic Orthodox Christian human archetype in an age of materialistic mass apostasy, this-worldly chiliasm, atheistic subhumanism, the glamorization of organized criminality, state-sponsored pornocratic lawlessness and soul-zombifying nihilism. For hundreds of years no one on this planet has burningly yearned as Fr. Seraphim Rose did for the pure, ennobling Truth of Christ and the experience of God... Battling through the gloomy labyrinths of modern philosophies and valuably exposing their manifold gross falsities, deceptions and dead ends, Fr. Seraphim found the way *out* of the nihilistic paradigm for the West in order to provide an example of how post-Christian, decadent contemporary Westerners can recontact their own essential Tradition and rebuild the Imperium Christianum within themselves and without. Accordingly, Fr. Seraphim was no effeminated, compromising political modernizer and conformist of the demolatrous times, but, in near ideological solitude, courageously upheld the Orthodox concept of religious monarchy, and envisioned Martyr Tsar Nicholas II, in his role as leader of the "Third Rome" and the last stronghold of Christian civilization, as the final restraining power against the spirit of Antichrist (cf. II Thess. 2:7-8). Thus, Fr. Seraphim interpreted the truly gangsterish, malefic, bloodthirsty Bolshevik murder of the Russian imperial family and the destruction of the Imperium Christianum the Emperor represented as a sign that we are symbolically living in the pre-Antichrist era, in which the warrior Archangel of the Last Judgment, St. Michael, prepares the remnants of transcendent order on earth for the ultimate conflict against the dehumanizing counter-tradition.
As Fr. Seraphim states, the idea of human authority resting on a foundation "from above" has been totally destroyed: "There is no major power today whose government is not 'revolutionary,' no one in a position of authority or influence whose criticism of Marxism goes beyond the proposal of better means to an end that is equally 'revolutionary'; to disown the ideology of the Revolution in the contemporary 'intellectual climate' would be, quite clearly, to condemn oneself to political powerlessness... The Nihilist disease is apparently to be left to 'develop' to its very end; the goal of the Revolution, originally the hallucination of a few fevered minds, has now become the goal of humanity itself. Men have become weary; the Kingdom of God is too distant, the Orthodox Christian way is too narrow and arduous. The Revolution has captured the 'spirit of the age,' and to go against this powerful current is more than modern men can do, for it requires the two things most thoroughly annihilated by Nihilism: Truth, and faith... The Nihilism of our age exists in all, and those who do not, with the aid of God, choose to combat it in the name of the fullness of Being of the living God, are swallowed up in it already."
Esoterically, the apocalyptic struggle is present in each one of us every minute of our lives and exists in our day-to-day moral choices. To translate Christian symbolism into scientific neuropsychological terms, this could be the struggle between the two kinds of motivations arising from the sublimative neo-cortex (the mystically crucified noetic intellect) and the infra-human impulses of the reptilian brain, or R-complex (the abysmal, sinful dreams and hungers of the alienated, post-Edenic human subject). We become antichrists and slaves of Hell every time we invert the just subordination of the lower brain to the higher brain and submit to the fleshly conscienceless R-complex appeals of sociopathic egocentrism and narcissist self-deification. "To feed, to excrete, to stride about and to sleep are the natural characteristics of beasts and wild animals; acquiring these characteristics through the fall, we have become beast-like, losing the natural blessings bestowed on us by God. We have become brutal instead of spiritually intelligent, ferine instead of godlike", said St. Gregory of Sinai (The Philokalia, Vol. 4). To defeat the dehumanizing nihilism and villainous squalor of the present sociopolitical world order, we must pray with St. Symeon the New Theologian: "God and Lord of all, root out of me and destroy through the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit the serpent that dwells inside me."
Fr. Seraphim Rose's profound revivification of the forgotten Orthodox Christian gnosis and traditional way of life in the midst of contemporary nihilist pandemonium shall probably stand as the most rigorous and heartfelt assertion of authentic Christianity in modern history.
Addenda on the criticism on Telonism of the Soul.......2006-08-19
There are many excellent presentations on the contents of this book, so I will only add a few words here in order to clarify certain accusations made by "negative" critics on some of fr. Seraphim's words on Death, supposedly influenced by Gnostic teachings. That is not true, however. The Mystery of Death in Orthodox mystical theology includes the belief in the Telonism of the Soul, and thus, of the presence of telonia ("tax-collector" demons that our soul meets on its exit from the body after death). More specifically, the well-known story of Telonism quoted by fr. Seraphim was written by Gregory, disciple of St. Basil the New, and is not Gnostic but Orthodox teaching, well-established all over Orthodoxy (e.g. can be found in countless State Greek Orthodox books discussing the mystery of death). But in order to convince the reader 100% that this teaching is Orthodox I will mention two important sources that our Holy Tradition has on it that no one can dispute: the story is taken from ancient Athonite manuscripts kept in codes of the Holy Monastry of Konstamonites and of the Holy Skete of St. Anne. I am an Orthodox since birth and will often visit the Holy Mountain where I have discussed the issues of Telonism of the Soul at length with various monks and I have never heard anyone consider it gnostic teaching.
Excellent life of St. Seraphim of Platina.......2006-07-30
Fr. Damascene's revised life of St. Seraphim of Platina is excellent and, as others have said, a vast improvement over the original (which was also a blessing to read, but unfortunate in its political emphases).
Like all the Saints of the Church, St. Seraphim began and remained a sinner (something he would readily tell anyone who asked I'm sure) and his writings were not without their limitations or perhaps even errors (just as Sts. Augustine and Gregory of Nyssa's writings were likewise prone to errors on certain theological points). Nonetheless, our sweetest Jesus used and continues to use St. Seraphim to build up His Kingdom and the incredible love and beauty of his holy soul shines through Fr. Damascene's work.
In response to another review made on this website, St. Seraphim was never a member of MANS, which has dissolved and many of whose former members have become devoted faithful of the Holy Orthodox Church after abandoning their heresies. Indeed, St. Seraphim was not particularly religious at all until his conversion to Holy Orthodoxy.
Ad Astera!.......2006-05-18
It's extremely difficult to find words that adequately categorize Father Seraphim Rose (born Eugene Rose, in California, in 1934), but I suspect that he will be recognized one day as a leading American-born spiritual teacher of the twentieth century. This biography, written by a member of the Orthodox Brotherhood of St. Herman of Alaska which Seraphim co-founded, is an excellent introduction to his life and thought. Over 1,000 pages in length and illustrated with dozens of photographs, the book both helps the reader follow the directions in which Seraphim's life journey took him, and also provides invaluable and detailed discussions of his printed and unprinted works. The reader gets to know Seraphim the man and Seraphim the thinker. Moreover, Hieromonk Damascene, the biography's author, has a fluid and compelling style that never ceases to keep the reader's attention.
Seraphim's journey from bohemian nihilism to Taoism to, eventually, Orthodox Christianity, ordination as a hieromonk (or monk-priest), co-founder of a religious brotherhood, spiritual staretz, author, and apologist is fascinating and inspiring. In many ways, he seems everyman/woman, searching for meaning in a culture that seems increasingly absurd, violent, and heartless. But what separates Seraphim from many of us is his absolutely dedicated search for Truth, his willingness to give himself soul and body to it, and the deep holiness he acquired as a consequence.
One of the more inspiring patterns in Seraphim's life is his gradual progression from a rather dogmatic, unforgiving attitude to non-Orthodox Christians--not unusual in zealous converts--to a much more encompassing, loving attitude towards the end of his short life (he "reposed," as the Orthodox put it, in 1982). Although always convinced that Orthodoxy was the most authentic expression of Christianity, and hence the one, true Church, Seraphim grew so saint-like in his last years that he clearly transcended sectarian zealotry. Near the end of his life, he confessed regret at the occasionally judgmental dogmatism of his youth.
Reading Seraphim and serious meditation on his life leads those of us who claim to be Christian to the clear and pressing demand to make a choice: profit by his example and dedicate ourselves to God without any playacting or self-serving, or continue in what may be a comfortable, no-risk piety. It is a mark of his authenticity that no reader can walk away from him with indifference. To read him and learn about his life is to be changed.
I have no doubt that Seraphim will one day soon be officially canonized.
A big bite to chew but so worth it........2005-10-07
This book literally changed my life. It reads like a fast paced novel and has wealth of spiritual treasures in it. The Life of Fr. Seraphim Rose of Blessed Memory planted the burning in my heart to go to seminary. If you are not like me and can take your time reading I am impressed. I myself could not put it down. The historical and modern roots of American Orthodoxy writing in a very lucid and attainable for anyone. The book needs no defense, if you read it you will understand the importance of Fr. Seraphim Rose in America and in the former Soviet Union.
Book Description
What does man seek in religion and what should he seek in it? How does God reveal Himself in order to bring man to a knowledge of the Truth? How does suffering help this revelation to occur? Fr. Seraphim Rose addressed these and other issues during a lecture at the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 1981. GOD'S REVELATION TO THE HUMAN HEART is a transcription of that lecture, and the question-and-answer session between Fr. Seraphim and the university students.
Drawing upon a wealth of resources--the Holy Scriptures, patristic writings, the Lives of ancient and modern saints, and accounts of persecuted Christians in today's world--Fr. Seraphim leads the audience to the core of all Christian life: the conversion of the heart of man, which begins to burn with love for Christ and transforms him into a new man.
Customer Reviews:
The heart is where God dwells.......2006-05-17
Published transcripts of talks are risky. Sometimes a lecture that is powerfully persuasive because of the personal charisma of the speaker comes across as dull and uninspiring when read. This is usually (but not always) an indication that there's little substance in the talk, and that its original appeal was founded more on smoke-and-mirrors than insight or wisdom.
I'm happy to say that the transcript of Father Seraphim's 1981 Santa Cruz talk, "God's Revelation to the Human Heart," comes across as well on the written page as it must've when he gave it to college students a quarter-century ago. Delivered a year before his premature death, it can be viewed as a concise statement of his spirituality.
The purpose of religion (re+legio=to reconnect), says Seraphim, is to "open up contact" with a "reality deeper than the eveyday reality that so quickly changes, rots away, leaves nothing behind, and offers no lasting happiness." In our deep hunger for this reality, we frequently settle on the one hand for effusive experiences that feel good but which don't necessarily lead us to the Truth we seek, or cold, calculative philosophies, which promise to reveal Truth for us but typically wind up dissecting it instead.
What we need do is recognize, as Pascal said in the seventeenth century, that the heart has reasons that the mind knows not. The heart, Seraphim reminds us, is that organ designed to reveal God to us, because the heart is the seat of love, and only love takes us to Truth/reality. That which reconnects us is love. But to love necessarily means to suffer, for in loving we empathically experience the pain of those whom we love. In willingly taking on the cross of suffering, we invite God to crack open our hearts and reveal both Himself (Truth/Reality) and our true identities.
The path of love/suffering defended by Father Seraphim in this lecture, then, takes us to Truth by avoiding gushy sentimentality on the one hand, and detached, rationalistic analysis on the other. His approach is the same as that defended by the Fathers in the first centuries of the Church.
Ironically--sadly--the questions asked of Seraphim by students after his talk (the transcript is included in this volume) suggest that most of his listeners just didn't get the point of what he was saying. The questions tend to be off-subject ("What do Orthodox think about non-Orthodox?" "What's the Apocalypse?" "What does Orthodoxy teach about fasting?"). But one can hope that seeds were planted. Certainly the published version of Seraphim's talk is rich and fertile for those of us fortunate enough to read it. Many thanks to St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood for making it available.
A solid addition for any library.......2006-04-16
What has set Fr. Seraphim Rose of blessed memory apart from his contemporaries is that he was so far ahead of his time in his writings. In this little classic, we get to see how Fr. Seraphim Rose presented material to a group of college students. The degree of clarity and foresight in his thoughts and conclusions are on a level by themselves. What I enjoy most about Fr. Seraphim is not only his conversion to Orthodoxy, but the degree in which he crucified his intellect and subjected to Christ and the early Christian Fathers. This is a quick read, that if you are like me. You will have to read it several times to plumb the depths of the writings.
Why Study Religion?.......2003-10-07
_God's Revelation to the Human Heart_ is the transcript of a lecture that Fr. Seraphim Rose delivered to the students of comparative religion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 1981. It can easily be read in one sitting, and although it is not the most in depth or detailed introduction to Orthodoxy, it is an insightful nonetheless. Fr. Seraphim begins his address with the question, "Why study religion?" The answer to this is to find out the meaning of Reality itself. The nature of this reality is in contrast with mundane reality, all of which eventually passes on in this world. True reality is something that cannot be perceived in a strictly empirical manner, but comes from within and glimpses at eternity. Fr. Seraphim also speaks of the search for religious experience and religious truth. An individual should not look for religious experiences per se because they can be the paths towards spiritual delusion, but rather towards Truth itself. The importance of suffering in Orthodox Christianity is also discussed, giving the well-known example of Alexander Solzhenitsyn (author of the _Gulag Archipelago_) who was persecuted by the Soviets for political dissent. Unlike in many Western countries, Christianity in Russia under communism was directly and brutally persecuted. Fr. Seraphim's conclusion discusses the spiritual rebirth that is happening in Russia today. Finally, the last few pages are the Question and Answer session after Fr. Seraphim's lecture.
Can't put this book down...........2003-06-30
When I ordered this book, it was because my priest at church was talking about Fr. Seraphim Rose and the value of reading his writings. So I ordered this book out of curiosity and found that it is easy to read, yet so packed with wisdom. I ordered a second book to give as a gift to my brother for Christmas. I think he will enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed it.
Father Seraphim, pray for us!.......2002-12-20
This is a good little book put together from a speech given by Father Seraphim. It enlightened me early in my conversion to the Faith, and illumines the patristic understanding of human suffering as unavoidable in this life but ultimately a good thing. Buy the book, it gives courage.
Book Description
What happens to the soul when it leaves the body at death? What is its state from then until the Last Judgement? Do the numerous present-day books on life after death give any real answers to these questions, or are they only hints about a reality which even those who "return from the dead" often misunderstand?
THE SOUL AFTER DEATH is a comprehensive presentation of the 2,000-year-old experience of ancient Christianity regarding the existence of the other world, addressing contemporary "after-death" and "out-of-body" experiences, the teachings of traditional Oriental religions and those of more recent occult societies.
The spiritual realm after death defies observation, yet an inherent desire of humanity persists to peer beyond this threshold--a threshold through which we all must pass.
Although the mystery of what lies beyond the veil of death is not fully visible to us in this life, nonetheless, writings and teachings of ancient Christianity dating from the first century have proven timeless and straightforward, yielding sound insights into the spiritual world beyond death. From a foundation based firmly in Orthodox Patristic teachings, Fr. Seraphim Rose offers an interpretation of the meaning of the contemporary experiences which have been publicized by Drs. Kubler-Ross, Moody, Osis and Haraldsson, and other researchers.
Principal teachings of Orthodox Christianity concerning the properties of the soul after death are presented in a clear concise manner, as taught by Church fathers and teachers of the early centuries. The Soul After Death offers an undiluted draught of pristine, mystical Christianity as it has existed since the time of Christ.
Customer Reviews:
Terribly Interesting; Tremendously Important!.......2007-04-18
Seraphim Rose here renders a work that is at once terribly interesting and tremendously important. It is interesting in that all truly philosophical people must, at some point, contemplate their ultimate fate. The book's importance is that it thoroughly and lovingly lays out what the soul is likely to expect on passing from this world.
Orthodox teaching on the death experience and the Particular Judgment is emphasized. New Age and occult interpretations, so popular these days, are presented fairly and held up to their proper contempt. The result is a synthesis that could be read profitably by all Christians, and non-Christians, rightly concerned with this terribly important subject.
A minor criticism is in order, though. At the outset of his presentation, Seraphim Rose makes certain to express his disdain at Roman Catholicism. This commentary is unnecessary, and mars the quality of this generally excellent work. It is nevertheless well written, and tremendously important. We recommend the reading and serious consideration of this excellent book.
American Orthodoxy is greatly indebted to Fr. Seraphim.......2006-06-06
While so many Orthodox theologians in Fr. Seraphim's day were writing left-leaning works that looked as though they had come from Vatican II, monk Seraphim was earnestly laboring to bequeath to the tiny American Orthodox flock the rich patristic inheritance of the Church.
The Soul After Death's chapters upon the tollhouses contains large quotations of St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Macarius of Egypt, St. Leo of Rome, and St. Mark of Ephesus. Those who slander Fr. Seraphim and these teachings are usually from the school of one Mr. Puhalo, who deeply resented Fr. Seraphim's vast influence upon Orthodox Christians of America, Russia, Greece, and elsewhere.
Fr. Seraphim was a great luminary of the Orthodox Church who truly struggled for Orthodoxy. You will not be disappointed with this easily readable, insightful volume.
Nothing Orthodox in these Gnostic ramblings of Fr. Rose.......2006-02-24
It is astonishing that those claiming to be Orthodox in these reviews, have never actually read the Church fathers on this topic. Rose bases his speculations on Gnostic tales ("Tale of Basil the New") found in the Bogomil groups, and on the superstitions which came into the Russian Orthodox under the Latin "captivity" which included this idea of "Purgatory".
St. Mark of Ephesus is very clear against any idea of the soul "journeying" through demonic "judges" in his homilies. Our Pascha celebrations tell us that "Christ is Risen! The demons are fallen!"
St. Isaac of Syria writes (Epistle to Symeon of Caesaria) "[We] convict the false writings called "revelations" which, composed by originators of corrupt heresies under the influence of demonic phantasies, describe celestial dwelling..the pathways to Heaven, the places set apart for judgment (toll-houses) ..But all these..are shadows of a mind inebriated by conceit and deranged by the working of demons..This.especially assaults monks who ...inquire into empty opinions, yearn for novelties, and are superficial"..
How well said by this Desert Father who saw the Mandean Gnostics and knew their myths, warning against them! St. Irenaios (op cit. Bk. I, Chap 25) warned the Church in Rome against the Gnostic pagan idea of the soul being saved apart from the body.
Anyone who believes that a long beard and a monk's robe makes a Christian Orthodox monastic is ready for any devilish pablum. The new age Gnostic mixture in Rose's writings certainly fit the description.
This book will get you started thinking........2005-08-28
What I mean by the title review: This book will get you to thinking is; there is some worse things than dying. In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin. Some reviews have stated that times past are irrelevant to the present in terms of death. Sorry, death is the same yesterday, as is today and will be tomorrow. If knowledge can be gained by listening to those from ancient times then we should all take to reading this book. Beyond the details given to open your mind, it also provides some peace of mind in it's own way. Read it and find out for yourself it's rewards.
Some Interesting Speculations.......2005-07-13
This book opens up a lot of avenues for theological exploration and thought, but unfortunately might turn some people off by unnecessary speculations. The obvious (and most hotly debated) subject in the book are the Aerial Toll Houses. I don't really agree with Fr. Seraphim's ultra-literal view of them, but then I also find the polemics against him to be a bit sensationalistic and unpersuasive. There are also Fr. Seraphim's thoughts on U.F.O.'s and a myriad of other topics, which some readers will find fascinating and some will find off-putting (to put it mildly).
Some of the valuable information in this book includes a short overview of the Teaching of St. Mark of Ephesus at the Council of Florence, and the Orthodox view on angels. On other subjects, however, Fr. Seraphim seems to stretch things beyond their proper limits to make a point. For example, in his attempt to show that various experiences (e.g., visions of heaven) by non-Orthodox are demonic delusions, Fr. Seraphim paints a very one-sided and strict view of what an "Orthodox experience" is supposedly like. In trying to combat a certain error, I think that Fr. Seraphim went slightly too far in the other direction. There are lots of patristic texts that serve as a witness contrary to Fr. Seraphim's own position.
This book may indeed be priceless to some people, and might have helped them in their spiritual walks immensely. I do not mean for this review to be taken as saying that the book should be avoided. Yet, I can only judge it based on what I got out of it, and while I respect Fr. Seraphim's thoughts, I didn't find them at all persuasive, nor particularly helpful or applicable to my own life.
Book Description
This concise work is a classic exposition of how the Christian Church has venerated the Mother of God throughout the ages, and the chief errors which have attacked this veneration. It clearly tells why the Virgin Mary should be honored by all generations, but not considered a co-redemptress along with Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the world.
"For He hath looked upon the lowliness of His handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed." (Luke 1:48)
A right understanding of Jesus Christ, the Son of God is not possible without a right understanding of Mary, the Birthgiver of God. When her image is distorted, the image of her Son also becomes distorted.
The sources of Archbishop John's theology are, quite simply, Holy Scripture, the Holy Fathers (especially the great Fathers of the 4th and 5th centuries), and--most distinctively--the Divine services of the Orthodox Church. The latter source offers a clue to the practical approach of St. John to theology.
From Apostolic times, all who truly love Christ give veneration to her who gave birth to Him, raised Him and protected Him in the days of His youth. In THE ORTHODOX VENERATION OF MARY THE BIRTHGIVER OF GOD, St. John traces her veneration from the time of the Apostles to the present.
Customer Reviews:
Not what I had hoped, but it sort of answered my question........2007-08-07
I bought this book, thinking from the description it could give some sort of Biblical foundation for offering Prayers to Mary. The author, who is supposedly a master Theologian, doesn't do that. Instead, he merely reiterates Orthodox Church teaching on the subject. For instance, he says the 12 Apostles were transported from various parts of the world to be present at Mary's death...simply because the Orthodox Churches teaches this, and therefore you have to believe it. There's really no argument for the worship of Mary, other than the Orthodox church says to do it. I was unconvinced.
But in a way, it did answer my question: Is there a Biblical foundation for praying to Mary. The answer is no. So for that, I gave it 2 stars.
Decent, Not Great.......2007-07-17
I have several complaints about this book. First, the typography was sub-par. I don't know if this was inherent in St. John's original manuscript, but the Whole Work is filled with Unnecessary Capitalization. It seemed like every sentence contained a title, doctrine, or a personal pronoun that was capitalized such as every instance of "She" or "Who", or doctrines such as "Redemption", and titles such as "Mother of Jesus", "Teacher of the Church", "Her Icon of Hogiditria" et cetera. They were everywhere and made for difficult reading. Future editions might want to improve this by minimizing the capitals.
Second, the first few chapters introducing the subject make numerous claims about traditions concerning Mary, most notably concerning her dormition, without referencing the sources for these traditions. Considering St. John's concern in later chapters, particular in VI, to distinguish between false and true traditions concerning Mary, it would seem prudent for an editor to add some footnotes to bolster Maximovitch's argument. I am particularly troubled by his insistance on the miraculous transportation of Dionysius the Areopogite to Jerusalem to join the other apostles at Mary's funeral. It troubles me because the Areopogite's position of high esteem in the Orthodox church is largely due to some mystical texts that have been falsely attributed to him. It is well known that these works were written many centuries later by a pseudonymous author and are not original to the Biblical character. In other words, the authenticity of the tradition cited by Maximovitch is called into question by his reference to the Areopagite.
That being said, I did enjoy chapter VI, where Maximovitch counters what he sees as the heresies of Rome. Or rather, what I appreciated most were the many references from Sts. Ambrose, Epiphanius, Bernard, and others that breathe some fresh air into the discussion by distinguishing between truthful and fictitious traditions about Mary. I will definetly delve into their works more thoroughly as I seek to pursue this topic in greater depth.
Otherwise, there were some good points made here and there about the need to give some level of veneration to Mary if only to safeguard the true glory of her divine Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
In sum, though I did not enjoy the book as thoroughly as I hoped, I think chapter VI was (almost) worth the cover price.
An Eastern View of Mary.......2006-10-29
The place of Mary in the Church is certainly among the most contentious issues along the Protestant/Catholic divide. Thus it is useful to see how the issue is handled by those Churches in the East who have no part in the contentions of the Reformation era. This little booklet written by an Orthodox saint of the 20th century sets in clear and sometimes blunt language the differences between the Eastern and Western approaches to the question of Mary's role in the continuing life of the Church.
Maximoviotch begins by covering the history of opposition to Mary's veneration among heretics and non-Christians in the patristic era and the condemnation of their errrors by the Church. Given the most attention are the two issues that most directly involved the Church's veneration of Mary: the Netorian heresy and the Iconclast controversy. In each, the Church sided with those who continued the tradition of Mary's veneration against new opponents of the practice.
Even among those who do honor the Blessed Virgin, there is the temptation to add to the honors given to her by God and invent new doctrines that could tangentially lead to considering her on a par with Christ. Such beliefs ascribed by Maximovitch as "zeal not according to knowledge" include the Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception which states that Mary was conceived without stain of original sin. This was not part of the patristic witness and even the most honored theologians in Catholicism (St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Thomas Aquinas) did not hold it.
Maximovitch counters both extremes with the Orthodox ideal of the great holiness of Mary and the proper respect and honor given her by the Church that venerates her without seeking to deify her. In this context the Orthodox veneration is an acknowledgement of the role of Mary in the Church that is reflective of the honors she has already receieved from God.
One thing that might be unnerving to some is Maximovitch's unquestioned acceptance of beliefs concerning the life of Mary that are generally considered to be little more than pious legend to the modern world. The translator of the work, Fr. Seraphim Rose, makes a point in the introduction that an Orthdoox Christian cannot pick and choose among the Church's tradition because of modern sensibilities anymore than one should compromise the teaching of the Holy Scriptures to accomodate contemporary sensibilities. It is to be accepted or rejected as a whole.
The book closes with the Akathist to the Theotolos - the greatest of all devotional prayers to Mary in the Orthodox Church. This allows us to close this work by seeing the Orthodox veneration in its clearest form and removed from the sometimes arid confines of theological discussion. Orthdooxy, perhaps more than any other form of Christianity is one that has to be seen in practice through the prayers, devotions, and liturgies to fully understand. Although the words of prayers are ceraintly not the same as seeing them prayed (which in turn is not the same as praying them), it allows us to get a glimpse of what Maximovitch has been describing in the previous chapters. Alhough it is unlikely that this book will change many minds, it does give a powerful witness to the honor that has always been given to the Theotokos by the Church.
Correct Veneration of the Theotokos explained.......2006-06-27
Author: St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco (St. John Maximovitch), of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. Preface by Father Seraphim Rose (d. 1982), noted American Orthodox monastic and theologian.
Topic: The proper veneration of the Blessed Mary from the Eastern Orthodox perspective.
When St. John died in 1966, he little imagined that this work would be resurrected. It had originally been published in a Serbian church journal in the 1930's. It is a short exposition, grounded in Holy Scripture, Patristics, and Orthodox liturgy (including Vespers and Akathists).
St. John does an amazing amout of theological exposition in this short essay. He explains from church history and the sources noted, the role always accorded the Theotokos in Christianity. This includes her full humanity, the fact that she was ever-virgin but not immaculately conceived herself, and that she led an exemplary life. St. John does this in no uncertain terms and with a clean simplicity of faith rather than speculation, legalism, or theorizing.
In so doing, he presents the Orthodox refutation of the Protestant failure to give Mary the veneration scripture commands (Luke: "for, behold, from henceforth ALL generations shall call me Blessed"). He also refutes the Roman church's over-veneration to the point of adoration, semi-deification, and raising Mary to an incarnation of a hypostasis of Trinity and co-redemptrix.
In the latter, St. John does a wonderful job of pointing out how, in misplaced love, humans in the Roman church may have actually lessened Mary's stature by attempting to ascribe unto her gifts beyond those given by God.
If there's a failing in The Orthodox Veneration of Mary, it's that it could use three more things:
a) A good explanation of Mary's intercession--scripturaly--at the wedding feast at Cannae--practically the first thing in the New Testament.
b) A good explanation of how the Koine term 'theotokos' really translates into English.
c) An explanation of how the Orthodox concept of the fall from grace and sin of Adam differs from the Protestant-Catholic concept of inherited, genetic original sin. This makes Mary's immaculate conception by Joachim and Ann unnecessary.
St. John touches these topics--but just barely.
Nonetheless, The Orthodox Veneration of Mary remainswell worth reading for Orthodox Christians seeking the explanation of their practice or other Christians seeking to understand the Orthodox Way on this topic.
The Theotokos and the People of God.......2004-08-27
St. John Maximovitch (1896-1966) of the Russian Orthodox Church does an amazing job in writing a book for the laymen, wether young adult or adult, tecaher or student, on the veneration of Mary, the Mother of God. He effectively deals with why Mary is called the Mother of God and the Nestorius controversy which climax at the Third Ecumenical Council and why denying Mary has Mother of God (Theotokos) also denies the full humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ.
He also deals effectively with the ever-virgin position as espoused by the Orthodox Church and he does so using scripture and building a concise and logical argument (ch. 3).
He also speaks to the dangers of putting more on Mary than is revealed in the sriptures and early Church history. He speaks to the errant teaching of sophia/marianism as espoused by a minority of Orthdoox Chrsitians such as Sergei Bulgakov aswell as the errant teachings of Latin/Rome theolgy of c0-reemptress. Of course, much of the book, by teaching what Orthodox affirm about Mary, counter the gregious erros of Prottetsant theologies about Mary and their lack of following the Biblical mandate.
While I do have some minor disagreements with the presentation of the material and not citing enough sources, this book works extermely well as a work to aid teh Orthodox Christian in learning more about Christ, Mary and why blessing her is important and how to give one's who do not understand Marian doctrine an answer.
Book Description
Philokalia means, "love of the good--love of the beautiful." It was the name given to the celebrated 18th century Greek collection of Patristic texts on Christian spiritual life, teaching the path to inner sobriety and the fullness of union with God.
Christian spirituality is not a retreat or escape from life. On the contrary, it is a withdrawal from the spirit of a fallen world lying in evil in order to cling to the source of life itself--Christ the true God.
Because of the multitude of outstanding spiritual leaders which have existed in Russia, there have been several attempts to compile a collection from the Russian Fathers similar to that of the Greek Philokalia. The teachings of these spiritual Fathers rest in the eternal truths and guiding principles of suffering Christianity, and their counsels are of particular value since--from that fount of eternal wisdom--they offer direction suited to the peculiarities of today's "modern age."
Therefore! it is of no small importance to present the Russian Fathers of recent centuries in an anthology of ascetic texts drawn from the original sources. The LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA series serves as an intermediary with the great Fathers of the Greek Philokalia.
In this respect, the humble advice offered by the holy men of the LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA series may render an inestimable service to a true seeker of salvation--a follower of Christ's narrow path of unceasing toil and humility. This, after all, was the primary purpose of the original Philokalia.
One of the most beloved Orthodox saints of recent times--St. Seraphim of Sarov (1759-1833)--was a priest, hermit and spiritual guide who, in early 19th century Russia, led many souls along the path of Apostolic Christianity.
The first volume of the LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA series contains the Life of St. Seraphim, his "Spiritual Instructions to Laymen and Monks," his soul-saving conversation with Nicholas Motovilov "On the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit" (St. Seraphim's patristic teaching--equal to the ancient Church Fathers)--and his "Diveyevo Mystery"--which, until now, has never been revealed in the English language since its disclosure in 1902.
Customer Reviews:
Essential reading!.......2007-10-10
This first volume in the set of 6 (I sincerely hope that there will be more to come) is, in my opinion, essential reading for every Christian.
We in the USA need to unlearn everything that we were told about "the big, bad, Red Russians"... This set is a good start in introducing westerners to the amazing and profound depth of Russian spiritualism!
Good for Evangelicals.......2006-06-28
I've been really enjoying the Russian Philokalia series, more so, even, than the original Philokalia and the sayings of the Desert Fathers.
From an evangelical perspective the Desert Fathers can often come across as legalists whose religion has less to do with a Christ centered faith, than it does with trying to outdo each other in their rules of piety (ie: the argument about whether a true monk would (a) never lay eyes on a woman or (b) be able to look at a woman and not even recognize her as being of the opposite gender).
The original Philokalia, on the other hand, reads more like a text on Hindu meditation: weird mystical concept and breathing techniques mixed with Christian references and other rules for achieving enlightenment (or seeing the uncreated light of God).
The Russian Philokalia series, on the other hand, especially this volume of the writings of St. Seraphim, are far more "down to earth" or at least more familiar. Seraphim's sayings, for example, are generally rooted in a Spirit-centered faith, and hence, more accessible to evangelicals and others looking at Orthodoxy for the first time. I don't know what makes them more accessible. Perhaps its because these men lived closer to our own time; perhaps its because the Orthodox church in their day had been influenced by Western thinking; or perhaps its because they were simple Russian peasants. In any case, I really enjoyed this series of books and would readily reccommend them to interested readers.
Little Russian Philokalia, Vol I, St. Seraphim.......2005-08-16
While preparing a lecture on Surat Shabd Yoga, I came across the Philokalia and thought it might be useful in my talk. "Surat" is a Sanskrit word for "Soul", "Shabd" is the Sanskrit word for "Holy Spirit". "Yoga" simply means "To Yoke". Hence, Surat Shabd Yoga is the process of connecting the soul to the Holy Spirit. In the "Little Russian Philokalia", Saint Seraphim of Sarov taught that the main aim of Christian life is to acquire for oneself the Spirit of God. His amazing and supernatural conversation with N.A. Motovilov on "The Acquisition of the Holy Spirit" is included in this volume.
"Little Russian Philokalia: St. Seraphim of Sarov".......2005-08-13
Simple, elegant, uplifting, and profound.
I am glad to see that we now have a Russian companion volume to the traditional Philokalia.
I found that the pictures of St. Seraphim spoke to me too.
Introducing a Russian Spiritual Father.......2005-05-19
"Philokalia" means the love of the beautiful and the good. Historically, philokalias present means of Christian growth for monks and lay people systematically arranged by subjects.
"The Little Russian Philokalia, Volume I: St. Seraphim" is the first of a six-volume set on Russian saints. This volume on St. Seraphim (1759-1833) contains his "Spiritual Instructions" which includes his spiritual insights and counsel on 43 topics related to the spiritual life. It also includes writings by his disciple, Nicholas Motovilov about St. Seraphim's life and teaching. Together they offer a fine introduction not only to St. Seraphim, but to the beliefs and practices of the Russian Orthodox Church of the 1800s.
Reviewer: Dr. Robert W. Kellemen is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and the forthcoming "Sacred Companions: A History of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."
Product Description
The inheritance of Illuminati has reformed the world religions into uniformity and syncretism. Hidden safe behind the walls of Temples, Lodges, Mosques, and Churches of the Illuminati Heritage are vessels of the forgotten rituals, the pungent perfumes of hidden bacchanalia and the sweet aroma of secret sacrifices. A Magi must build his Holy Alphabets deep within the Temple of the Serpent's Tongue. The blood of the Templars and Sons of the Widow mesh with the remains of memories and incense smoke, cascading down to a chrysalis of spiritual darkness. The canticles of the Serpent lead us into a labyrinthe wherein Angels have fallen with desire to taste the forbidden fruit. Here at last is that "forbidden fruit". . .the hidden rituals of the Illuminati.
Book Description
Japan has long wrestled with the memories and legacies of World War II. In the aftermath of defeat, war memory developed as an integral part of particular and divergent approaches to postwar democracy. In the last six decades, the demands placed upon postwar democracy have shifted considerably--from social protest through high economic growth to Japan's relations in Asia--and the meanings of the war shifted with them.
This book unravels the political dynamics that governed the place of war memory in public life. Far from reconciling with the victims of Japanese imperialism, successive conservative administrations have left the memory of the war to representatives of special interests and citizen movements, all of whom used war memory to further their own interests.
Franziska Seraphim traces the activism of five prominent civic organizations to examine the ways in which diverse organized memories have secured legitimate niches within the public sphere. The history of these domestic conflicts--over the commemoration of the war dead, the manipulation of national symbols, the teaching of history, or the articulation of relations with China and Korea--is crucial to the current discourse about apology and reconciliation in East Asia, and provides essential context for the global debate on war memory.
Book Description
One of the most striking events in the Orthodox Church in recent years has been the extraordinary response to the remarkable life of the reposed leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archbishop John Maximovitch (1896-1966). He served the Church as bishop, first of Shanghai in the Far East, then of Western Europe, in Paris and Brussels, and finally of Western America in San Francisco.
Manifesting many contrasting forms of sanctity, he was at once a God-inspired theologian and a "Fool-for-Christ," a zealous missionary leader and a feeder of the poor, a severe ascetic and a loving father to orphans. Like Moses, he delivered his flock from oppression, bringing it from communist China to the free world; like the first apostles, he was given power from God to heal wounded souls and ailing bodies.
BLESSED JOHN THE WONDERWORKER offers abundant source materials on the life of this contemporary apostolic Church leader, a pictorial biography and the first verified collection of 100 personal testimonies of his sanctity. Focusing on God's presence, through the experience and impact of one man, this book provides a key for those seeking a life of true holiness in our times.
Customer Reviews:
Engaging without sentimentality.......2000-09-05
This examination of the life and miracles of St. John Maximotvich is heartening reading not only for Orthodox Christians, not only for Californians who are blessed to have his relics, not only for North Americans who, unlike other Orthodox Churches in their "western captivity", have been blessed with their own saints, but for anyone who has a compassionate heart. This well written work is the clearest reading of the life of this remarkable man who had the gift of doing "ordinary things in an extraordinary way." Fr. Seraphim's account is neither sentimental nor disengaged, and the best I have read about this saint's life.
Book Description
Philokalia means, "love of the good--love of the beautiful." It was the name given to the celebrated 18th century Greek collection of Patristic texts on Christian spiritual life, teaching the path to inner sobriety and the fullness of union with God.
Christian spirituality is not a retreat or escape from life. On the contrary, it is a withdrawal from the spirit of a fallen world lying in evil in order to cling to the source of life itself--Christ the true God.
Because of the multitude of outstanding spiritual leaders which have existed in Russia, there have been several attempts to compile a collection from the Russian Fathers similar to that of the Greek Philokalia. The teachings of these spiritual Fathers rest in the eternal truths and guiding principles of suffering Christianity, and their counsels are of particular value since--from that fount of eternal wisdom--they offer direction suited to the peculiarities of today's "modern age."
Therefore, it is of no small importance to present the Russian Fathers of recent centuries in an anthology of ascetic texts drawn from the original sources. The LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA series serves as an intermediary with the great Fathers of the Greek Philokalia.
In this respect, the humble advice offered by the holy men of the LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA series may render an inestimable service to a true seeker of salvation--a follower of Christ's narrow path of unceasing toil and humility. This, after all, was the primary purpose of the original Philokalia.
The second volume of the Little Russian Philokalia Series is dedicated to the "Grandfather" of an entire century of great ascetics of Valaam Monastery, Blessed Elder Nazarius (1735-1809). He was the spiritual father to St. Herman of Alaska and was responsible for sending the first Orthodox mission to America in 1794.
Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers were the daily food of his soul. His soul became s! o penetrated by the thought of divine things that the only subject of his conversations was what might profit the soul.
Like St. Anthony the Great, Abbot Nazarius possessed experience and knowledge of the spiritual life in practice, and spoke of how to practice Christianity in order to attain genuine sobriety of soul. He allowed no leeway for idle meditating or fantasizing.
Elder Nazarius burned with an unquenchable love of truth. His watchful eye was keen; his words carried great power. Severe and seemingly inaccessible in appearance, by his words alone he could soften hearts into love and obedience.
The LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA series Volume II also contains a short spiritual ladder by Abbot Nazarius' disciple, Hilarion of Valaam and Sarov Monasteries, and contains several hymns composed by Fr. Seraphim Rose in honor of Blessed Nazarius
Customer Reviews:
Heavenly Man, Earthly Angel..........2000-07-28
The wisdom contained in this book brings what we believe to be beyond our reach, down to earth in a simple, clear, understandable way. The teachings of this Orthodox Saint are livable, practical, and give a wonderful insight into Orthodox Theology, both for the "scholars" and for those seeking a better way to live in harmony with all other creatures on the path back to God.
Books:
- The Spirit Stone: The Silver Wyrm, Book Two (The Silver Wyrm)
- The Stolen Child: A Novel
- The Tomb (Adversary Cycle/Repairman Jack)
- The Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy's Dossier on Hillary Clinton
- The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World
- The Widow's Son Volume 2 (The Historical Illuminatus Chronicles)
- The Winter King (The Arthur Books #1)
- The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts
- Why Are So Many Black Men in Prison?
- Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul
Books Index
Books Home
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- Life Stories: Profiles from The New Yorker
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- From Trafalgar to the Chesapeake: Adventures of an Officer in Nelson's Navy
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