Monasticism, the All-embracing Gift of the Holy Spirit

When uncompromised, the life of the monk under obedience is full of prophetic aspects, divine truth and incorruptible consolation. His total crucifixion attracts the eyes of the Lord towards him day and night, as He recognises in His servant a spirit akin to His. Although he has made himself as a ‘beast beside its master’, yet he discovers that God’s presence is always with him. Through the continuous surrendering of his will to his Elder, the monk perpetually dwells in the current of the will of God, whereby he accommodates within himself the gift of Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit. The monk who cultivates a contrite spirit and suffers the changes of the consolation of grace is a supra-cosmic image of the mystery of Pentecost.

These consolations of the Holy Spirit enlighten the mind and strengthen the heart to run the way of Christ’s commandments. Those who adhere to this way of life and have gone through the annihilation of the old man brought about by God’s judgments are able to cry out boldly to the God of their Fathers with the great words of the Psalm: ‘My soul cleaveth unto the dust, quicken Thou me according to Thy word.’

CONTENTS

FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION