Reviews for Russian Letters of Spiritual Direction, 1834-1860

The average rating for Russian Letters of Spiritual Direction, 1834-1860 based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-10-31 00:00:00 Marlene Barratt A spiritually profound book that provides much wisdom for Christians to heed, based on Biblical and patristic (Holy Fathers) sources. Here are some excerpts that I found striking and helpful: John Climacus has said: Love and humility form a holy pair; what the first builds, the second binds, thus preventing the building from falling asunder. - Pgs. 47-48 Accept all hardships without grumbling. Be certain that they are your due. You yourself say that when you were young, rich, and in good health, your heart was callous and your mind empty. Since grown old, sick, and poor, you are kinder and more thoughtful, you have good reason to rejoice; none to despair. But see to it that your poverty is not only a surface thing; see to it that you are poor in spirit too. Our Lord loves none better than the totally poor. - Pgs. 42-43 The true signs of sincere penitence are the taming of the beast of anger, and the abstinence from all condemnation of others. Anger is always a sign of great pride. Our Lord calls him who condemns others, obvious of his own faults, a hypocrite. But patience, self-condemnation, and humility guard us against a multitude of temptations and vices. - Pgs. 111-112

Review # 2 was written on 2018-08-08 00:00:00 Bernard Rogers Interesting comments from Russian Heyschast monks in the 19th Century to various "lay" folk - these are excerpts from letters the monks wrote in response to letters they received from these folk. They make it clear they are not offering rules that everyone must follow, but are responding to the particular questions, needs and situations presented to them.