Monasticism
The All-Embracing Gift of the Holy Spirit. An Approach to the Monastic Legacy of Saint Sophrony
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Monasticism is a paradoxical phenomenon on earth. It is life ‘outside the camp of this world.’ It reveals, in the present age, the life of the Kingdom to come and is governed by the Holy Spirit. It is the closest imitation of the path of Christ—first of His kenotic descent, even to the nethermost parts of the earth, and then of His glorious ascent above the heavens. By this path, the gifts of the Holy Spirit descended as rain watering the earth. Monasticism is bears the charismatic power of humility. Its prophetic character reflects the supra-cosmic otherness of Christ’s ethos – the truth of God. The monk is an image of the Resurrection, having passed ‘from death to life,’ and an image of Pentecost, when he bears in his chest the living flame of the Paraclete. The monk’s mission is to be a witness to the humble ethos of Christ, through which He brought to the world in these latter days His great and perfect salvation.
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CONTENTS
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
I. THE TRUE DIMENSIONS OF THE GOSPEL IN MONASTICISM
The Inverted Perspective of Monastic Life
Charismatic Theocracy
Charismatic Theocracy
II. CHARISMATIC ASPECTS OF MONASTIC LIFE
Thirst for God
The Name of the Lord Jesus – the Breath of the Monk
Inconsolable Repentance
Fattening the Soul of the Monk through the Bread of Tears
New Beginnings, New Mercies, New Songs of Gratitude and Love
Prophetic Life in Monasticism
The Word Born in the Heart of the Man Who repents
Thanksgiving and Spiritual Sonship
Constantly ‘Rubbing’ against God’s Energy
Christ-like Vulnerability
Spiritual Tension in Times of Affliction
The Name of the Lord Jesus – the Breath of the Monk
Inconsolable Repentance
Fattening the Soul of the Monk through the Bread of Tears
New Beginnings, New Mercies, New Songs of Gratitude and Love
Prophetic Life in Monasticism
The Word Born in the Heart of the Man Who repents
Thanksgiving and Spiritual Sonship
Constantly ‘Rubbing’ against God’s Energy
Christ-like Vulnerability
Spiritual Tension in Times of Affliction
III. COMMENTS ON PHILOKALIC TEXTS ABOUT VIGILANCE
The Thought of Hell in Saint Isaiah the Anchorite
Stillness in Saint Hesychios
Positive Asceticism
Vigilance – the Science of Sciences and Art of Arts
Stillness in Saint Hesychios
Positive Asceticism
Vigilance – the Science of Sciences and Art of Arts
EPILOGUE – AS ALIVE FROM THE DEAD
Biblical Index
Biblical Index
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The truly charismatic monk flees any honour as fire, knowing that it will extinguish the flame of love for God burning in his heart and stop the current of the divine will from flowing through him and guiding him. He would rather do everything to remain hidden from the eyes of this world so as not to be seen by men, but to be under the gaze of God’s eyes alone, ‘who seeth in secret and rewardeth openly.’ Neither does he seek consolation or support from this world but puts his only hope in the Lord, ‘which hope he has as an anchor of his soul’, leading him into that which is ‘within the veil.’
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.’
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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 translated all the writings of Saint Silouan and Father Sophrony from the original Russian into Greek and he presents their rich theology to the Orthodox world by writing books and articles and taking part in conferences. Moreover, 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…
Gabriel Wennstig (verified owner) –
Exploring the legacy of St Silouan, the most authentic monk of Mount Athos in the 20th century and his disciple Archimandrit Sophrony, Archimandrit Zacharias shows how obedience to Gods will through the commandments of the hegumen is the golden way to receive the grace of true hesychastic prayer, the stillness that knows God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
John Asproyerakas (verified owner) –
Given the title one might think that this book is only for people considering the Monastic life. Having read it I feel that it is valuable for all believers in Christ. There is nothing written that one would separate out as not being applicable to an individual living in the secular world. Maybe this is because the way that Monastics live is the way we are all called by Christ to live. The differences and advantage of the Monastic is their certainty, their commitment to a life of prayer and worship, and importantly most of their cares to meet the needs of the body are taken care of.
I was repeatedly surprised at the depth of the writing and wondered how one person could write so deeply about our relationship with God. This is not a book to read quickly through, but to take ones time to absorb the wisdom and insight.