Avva Dorotheus is one of the most revered Christian saints. He is known primarily as the author of moral teachings, which will be discussed in this article.
The Biography of Rev. Avba Dorotheus
Despite the fact that this saint is widely known beyond religious circles, quite a little is known about his life. He lived in the VI century, at a young age he studied secular sciences, to which he had no particular attraction, but eventually fell in love with reading instructive literature. These books seemed so interesting to him that sometimes it was impossible to tear him away from his favorite occupation. After some time, the young man felt a craving for monasticism - so he began to fight in the monastery of Avba Serida, which was in Palestine.
Life in the holy monastery
In the monastery, in addition to fulfilling obedience, he studied the instructions and lives of the holy fathers of the church, was engaged in the fact that he arranged visitors to the monastery in the monastery. For this reason, he had to communicate with people of all ages, status and position, many of whom needed comfort and protection. This allowed him to learn humility and enrich his life experience.
About ten years he spent in the holy monastery, managed to build during this time a hospital where he worked. All this time he was a novice of the Monk John the Prophet, and after his death he left the monastery of Abba Serida in the desert. Soon, pilgrims began to come to him - as a result, the Abba had his own monastery, where he lived the rest of his life, instructing his students. During this long time, Ava Dorofei created a large number of moral instructions.
The teachings of Abba Dorotheus
Rev. Avba left several messages, more than twenty teachings and 87 answers of his spiritual father John the Prophet and Rev. Barsanufy the Great to various questions. In addition, letters were written by Abba Dorotheus. All these works are stated in a clear, polished and at the same time simple language, they are distinguished by their accessibility and wisdom. Through all the texts of Avba's authorship, the idea passes that the necessary virtues for spiritual life are humility combined with love for God and for one's neighbor. The manner of presentation is artless and very well reflects the character of the reverend. As one of the disciples described him, the Avba fellowship was shyly, affably and with great humility. In dealing with people, he was good-natured and simple - this is precisely the beginning of unanimity, the foundation of other virtues.
His works have been and remain popular. Previously, they obligatory corresponded in many monasteries, but now they are regularly reprinted. Probably, there will not be a single Orthodox monastery in the library of which there would be no publication of the teachings of Ava. There are cases when famous saints of Russia copied his books by hand. This is because, although the texts are addressed to monks, in fact, the advice, instructions and soulful teachings of Abba Dorotheus are the basis for everyone who has embarked on a path of spiritual perfection and strives to fulfill God's commandments. His books become a reliable guide to achieve this goal, they can be called a kind of alphabet. The works of Ava were highly appreciated by the Monk Theodore Studite and the Optina Elders.
“Good-for-nothing teachings”
One of the most significant ascetic works gives answers to the basic questions of monastic life and spiritual achievement. In fact, this is a detailed guide for the inhabitants of the monasteries, since the instructions given in the book are accurate and specific - there are practically no general considerations. In this book, Rev. Avba summarizes the traditions of ascetic experience that had developed at that time.
Rev. opinion on spiritual life
Avva Dorofei believed that the main thing in spiritual achievement is the cutting off of one's own desires, that is, submission to the chosen spiritual father and humility - this is how the path to good begins. It is also a possibility of dispassion, since the reason to worry about your unfulfilled desires disappears, and attention is focused on spiritual work. But one only needs to obey the elders, who are essentially charismatic, similar to the first man Adam, who, while in heaven, constantly praised God with prayer and was in a state of contemplation - sin violated his pristine state.
The book “The teachings of Abba Dorotheus” contains only twenty-one teachings, each of which is devoted to a certain aspect of monastic life. Basically, the reverend discusses sins to be disposed of: lies, vindictiveness, and condemnation of one's neighbor. Avva Dorofei recalls that in no case can you rely on your mind - this means that there is a need for spiritual leaders, you need to live in the constant fear of God. He talks about how to endure temptations and doubts, how to create a soul house for virtues.
In addition to purely practical instructions in the book, you can also find a chapter with short and capacious sayings of Abba Dorotheus, as well as addresses to specific people in the monastery, for example, to the Kelars. In the finale of each of the teachings, Ava not only reveals the essence of the subject to which the chapter is dedicated: he encourages readers to fight this or that sin, to strengthen a certain virtue.
Reprints of works
At the end of many editions of the works of Abba, messages and his questions to the great saints are usually added to the main teachings.
There are also modern reprints of this work, for example, “Instructions of the Monk Avba Dorofei for every day of the week”, which are a brief summary of the teachings of the Ava corresponding to the days of the week. It was created with the aim that believers could more often turn to the teachings of the holy father. In fact, the book is a collection of wise quotes.
Thus, the works of Rev. Avba Dorotheus are addressed not only to monks, but also to all Christians who want to save their soul, since his instructions address the basic issues of spiritual life, which is so important for every believer. That is why the texts of the Ava continue to be relevant to this day.