On the Monastic Life

All prices listed are in Canadian funds.

Anchored in God by Constantine Cavarnos Life, art, and thought on the Holy Mountain of Athos. In this fascinating and inspiring book, the author describes the monk's daily routine of activities, including private and corporate prayer, study and work. Through questions, he elicits the views of the monks on monasticism, contemporary mankind, philosophy, solitude, fasting, prayer and other topics. Also discusses icons, architecture of the churches and church music. 230 pp. IBM841 $14.00

The Arena by Bishop Ignatius (Brianchaninov) These instructions are intended to capture the essence of ancient Orthodox monasticism for our time. Although this handbook is intended for monastics, laymen will also find it spiritually profitable. 276 pp. HTJ16116 $27.00

On Ascetical Life by St. Isaac of Nineveh Homilies on monastic life, spiritual growth and union with God. 116 pp. MES6366 $11.00

A Defense of Monasticism by Metropolitan Anastassy (Gribanovsky) An answer by the late first hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad to those who oppose and attack the lofty calling of monasticism. 90 pp. HTJ1625 $7.00

The Desert a City by Derwas J. Chitty. This study deals with the golden age of Egyptian monasticism and describes the three founders of the movement, Anastasius, Anthony and Pachomius. It follows the development of monastic life in all its forms in Egypt to the end of the fourth century, when the center shifted to Palestine; the following chapters are devoted to accounts of the great ascetics of Palestine. The controversies surrounding the monastic movement are examined in their political and ecclesiastical aspects and the book concludes with an account of the monastic history of Mount Sinai. 222 pp., pb. MES660 $21.00

The Holy Mountain by Constantine Cavarnos A companion volume to Anchored in God. Part One is a comprehensive account of the scholars, missionaries, and saints of Athos, delivered as a lecture at Yale University. Part Two is a discussion of the music, musicians and hymnographers of Athos from the tenth century to the present in a somewhat extensive and systematic manner. Part Three is an account of a sojourn on the Holy Mountain. 172 pp. IBM842 $12.00

Letters to a Beginner On Giving One's Life to God by Abbess Thaisia of Leushino A main guidebook for female monastic aspirants, giving them a right understanding of how to dedicate their lives to God. All can benefit from these instructions. 112 pp. HER1359 $10.00

Matericon: Instructions of Abba Isaiah to the Honorable Nun Theodora The collected Sayings of the Desert Mothers are presented here for the first time in English, as well as the personal instructions given by Abba Isaiah (4th c.) to Theodora - a young nun ready to enclose herself in a cell for the rest of her life. As a zealous trainer, Abba Isaiah teaches Theodora the warfare needed for becoming a solitary and empowers her with armor for relentless battle against the passions. These teachings leave an indelible mark upon the soul of the reader and inspire great appreciation for the spiritual beauty of the ascetics of the desert. This edition stems from St. Theophan the Recluse's Russian translation and includes his own introduction. pb., 229 pp.POM109 $19.50

A Night in the Desert of the Holy Mountain by Metropolitan of Nafpaktos Hierotheos, translated by Effie Mavromichali. A Night in the desert of the Holy Mountain is a book which brings to light the Jesus prayer or prayer of the heart and how it can be practiced by both monastics and lay people. The reader enjoys the simple presentation of all the teaching of the Church on the Jesus prayer through the authentic experience of an Athonite hermit. And "when a hermit's mouth opens, it will fill you with fragrance". The book has been a classic of its kind in Greece where it is now in its twelfth edition. pb. 206 pp. SNH008 $19.00

A Spiritual Psalter of St. Ephraim Translated by Antonina Janda This collection of hymns, compiled from the writings of St. Ephraim by Bishop Theophan of Poltava, long constituted one of the favorite sources of reading for monastics in prerevolutionary Russia. 256 pages, 4x7. KRO7211 Hardbound $39.00

E-Mail the Webmaster