Christ, Our Way and Our Life
A Presentation of the Theology of Archimandrite Sophrony
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Christ is the sign of God for men of every age. In every generation, the Saints, as perfect imitators of Christ, became a sign of God for their generation and tangible examples of His spotless love. Saint Sophrony was such a sign. The Elder lived through the tragedy, anguish, apprehensions and quests of the turbulent twentieth century and, through his life, prayer, and word, offered answers to the burning questions of his contemporaries. He was adorned with many and great gifts of the Spirit. Above all, the word of God, which he grasped through his prayer and actively bore in his pure heart, left the greatest impression. Every contact with him was an opening to life and spiritual vision. For every paragraph of his writings, one could write an entire book. This present work presents the principal themes of the theology of the divinely wise Elder. We present it with the conviction that the Saint, through his word and intercessions, continues to serve the most magnificent miracle in the entire created world—the miracle that his soul loved: the rebirth of the faithful and their ‘rich entrance’ (2 Pet. 1:11) into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
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FOREWORD
This book is based on my doctoral thesis, entitled The Actualisation of the Hypostatic[1] Principle in the Theology of Archimandrite Sophrony, which was submitted at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Thessalonica in 1998. I have wanted since then to proceed to a more complete presentation of Fr Sophrony’s teaching. Perhaps even now I have not succeeded fully in this aim, but I have tried at least to set out the basic themes of his theology.
I alone am responsible for any imperfections or omissions apparent in this book. For whatever good it may contain, the praise belongs to my ever-memorable Staretz, who is my life’s greatest benefactor. Above all, it is to our Lord Jesus Christ, who manifested to us in its perfection the Pattern, the Model, the Length, and Depth, and Height, of the Person of the Father, that glory is due unto all ages.
Note on the English edition
The English translation of my book has provided an opportunity, for which I am grateful, to amplify my text by the addition of phrases and notes which further explain the meaning and thus render it accessible even for those without a theological background. The same purpose lies behind the re-ordering of a few paragraphs.
[1] The theological term ‘hypostasis’ from which this word is derived is more fully explained throughout the book. See especially Chapter 1.
CONTENTS
Foreword
Introduction
1. THE HYPOSTATIC PRINCIPLE AND ITS REALIZATION IN HUMAN LIFE
a. The meaning of ‘hypostasis’
b. The primordial glory of man
c. The delusion of an impersonal absolute
b. The primordial glory of man
c. The delusion of an impersonal absolute
2. THE KENOSIS OF THE LORD AND THE SALVATION OF MAN
a. The kenosis of the Word of God
b. The way of thy commandments
c. Love – to the point of self-hatred
b. The way of thy commandments
c. Love – to the point of self-hatred
3. SEPARATION AND RESTORATION
a. The greatness and the nullity of man
b. Death
c. The grace of mindfulness of death
d. Spiritual mourning and tears
e. The despair which is pleasing to God
b. Death
c. The grace of mindfulness of death
d. Spiritual mourning and tears
e. The despair which is pleasing to God
4. THE MYSTERY OF THE WAYS OF SALVATION
a. The grace of our call
b. When grace is withdrawn
c. Grace is regained
d. Knowing the way
b. When grace is withdrawn
c. Grace is regained
d. Knowing the way
5. MONASTICISM AND SPIRITUAL FATHERHOOD
a. Monasticism as a gift of the Holy Spirit
b. Fidelity to the monastic vows heals the estrangement brought about by original sin
c. Spiritual fatherhood as a ministry of between man and God
b. Fidelity to the monastic vows heals the estrangement brought about by original sin
c. Spiritual fatherhood as a ministry of between man and God
6. THE PATH OF HESYCHASM
a. The Jesus Prayer
b. The practice of the Jesus Prayer
c. Inner prayer
d. The struggle against the imagination
b. The practice of the Jesus Prayer
c. Inner prayer
d. The struggle against the imagination
7. FROM THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TO THE ONTOLOGICAL LEVEL
a. Repentance
b. Ontological regeneration
c. The vision of uncreated Light
d. ‘Ontological’ repentance inspires a twofold vision
e. Ascetic humility and divine humility
f. The ontological content of the person: freedom for self-determination
b. Ontological regeneration
c. The vision of uncreated Light
d. ‘Ontological’ repentance inspires a twofold vision
e. Ascetic humility and divine humility
f. The ontological content of the person: freedom for self-determination
8. PRAYER AS THE FULFILMENT OF CREATION
a. Prayer as personal communion
b. Pure prayer
c. Prayer for the whole world as the manifestation of the hypostatic principle
d. Love for one’s enemies as a criterion of truth
b. Pure prayer
c. Prayer for the whole world as the manifestation of the hypostatic principle
d. Love for one’s enemies as a criterion of truth
Epilogue
Index of Scriptural References
Index of Names and Subjects
Index of Scriptural References
Index of Names and Subjects
| Weight | 0.56 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21.5 × 15 × 2.6 cm |
| Author | Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou |
| Language | English |
| Book cover | Hardback Clothbound with Dust Jacket |
| Pages | 368 |
| Publisher | Stavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist |
| Edition | 2nd edition |
| Publication Year | 2012 |
| ISBN | 978-1-874679-89-9 |
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About the Author
Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou
Father Zacharias studied theology at the Orthodox Theological Institute of Saint Sergius in Paris and at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He has lived all his monastic life in the monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Essex where he serves as a spiritual Father and minister of the word of God to his brethren and the people that come to him. Read more…
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David (verified owner) –
I have recently purchased Christ, Our Way and Our Life and I am so very glad that I have. As an Anglican it is one of the most powerful works that I have ever read. Although I am only part way through, it has illuminated my thought with a clarity that I have not felt outside of Holy Scripture. I give my genuine thanks.
Stephen Leicester (verified owner) –
Christ, Our Way And Our Life: a wonderful book to read. Father Zacharias has a lovely easy to read style of writing. His presentation of the theology of Saint Sophrony is quite devotional, thought provoking and spiritually edifying. This has been the most inspirational book that I have read for a long time. It was great to see also that the book was well protected in its packaging when it arrived from the monastery, and the delivery time was quick too. I would encourage anyone with an interest in Eastern Orthodox spirituality to add this beautiful book to their library. I would highly recommend it.