Every Christian who wants to get closer to the church asks many questions and is often perplexed. Among such questions, we consider one of the most important: how to read spiritual literature. Let us analyze the books of the Holy Fathers, study the reviews.
Rich choice
It is difficult for a beginner to get comfortable with the variety of religious works that are currently offered. It is not clear where to start and what topics to be interested in. One of the most important warnings for the reader should be the fact that the books of the Holy Fathers were written for a specific purpose. And she was not idle. For the creation of each of the works had to have a specific reason. Therefore, reading does not promise to be easy.
Books of the Holy Fathers reflect the life experiences of many generations of Orthodox Christians. Therefore, the study of such literature requires careful attention to every word. The main idea is important, not the design. Otherwise, you can interpret everything in your own way, without knowing the truth. When the reader cannot comprehend the book, then he will need to further develop spiritually before proceeding with reading.
Church Literature Review
Among the books of the Holy Fathers, the “Ladder” should be highlighted. This is a classic ascetic literature. The translation of the name sounds like "a staircase between the earth and the sky." The author of the work is Hegumen John of Sinai. The book is intended for reading monks. Therefore, it can be quite difficult for the laity to interpret its content.
The “Ladder” is the instruction of the Holy Father; it is considered an invaluable source in which spiritual experience is placed. She teaches how to deal with passions. “Ladder” offers a diagram of the relationship between passions and vices. It is pointed out that passions can give rise to one another. Therefore, it is important to eradicate precisely the source of the appearance of the main passion. Otherwise, victory cannot be won.
The work of John of Kronstadt
Among the instructions of the Holy Fathers, the book Life in Christ is noteworthy, which was created by Archpriest John of Kronstadt. The work is designed in the form of a diary with notes on what spiritual and life experience the author had to get. When asked about the origin of ardent faith in the Creator, which is filled with the soul of John of Kronstadt, he replied that he spent his life in church.
The book is recommended for reading to those who are attacked by unbelief, despair and cowardice. These feelings are inevitable for a person who is just beginning to join the church life. Father John had to serve in the church of the port city of Kronstadt, almost completely mired in sins from unbridled drunkenness, theft, fights, which no one was surprised. Such situations were in the order of things. It was Father John who managed to teach people love for the Creator. To restore the image of the Lord in the souls of the townspeople, he organized a society of sobriety, a strange house. He taught the townspeople to follow church truths. This man made a huge contribution to the education of respectable Christians.
Creation of Monk Nicodemus
When studying the books of the Holy Fathers for the laity, it is interesting to know which ones to read in the first place. After all, some of these works are understandable only to monks. Among the creations available to the common man, one can name the book "Invisible Scolding." It was created by the Athos monk Nicodemus, nicknamed the Svyatorets. The translation from Greek belongs to Theophan the Recluse. The book describes the internal struggle that takes place in every believing soul, which is attentive to its spiritual life.
Nicodemus Svyatorets created a valuable work in which he speaks of what Christian feat is and what is its essence. The author claims that the meaning of the Christian faith is the struggle against a sinful nature. Nicodemus says that sin begins with sinful thoughts born within a person. And only a person can force to abandon such a thought or come to terms with it.
Paisius Svyatorets
Paisius Svyatorets also teaches fight against wicked thoughts. This Athos monk had eight education classes, but thanks to the cleansing of the heart from the passions that overcome him, the Holy Spirit settled in him. Paisius was canonized, being counted among the saints. This was done by the Ecumenical Patriarch.
The collected works of Paisius consists of five volumes of words, instructions, and stories of people who were visitors to the elder. These books contain a lot of interesting and instructive information for both monks and the category of family readers living in the world. The topics of instruction are parenting, the importance of public service, advice on choosing a life partner, rules for relationships with loved ones. Paisius is our contemporary. He experienced the difficulties of a difficult crafty time, embodying the essence of Christian ideals. With his life, he confirmed that Christ does not change his face regardless of age. Therefore, the meaning of Christian truths remains the same.
The work of St. Ignatius
It is recommended to go deeper into the study of the book, the author of which was St. Ignatius Brianchaninov. The study of this work was recommended by all the holy elders when they selected books for their children. Saint Ignatius was able to collect and systematize all the wealth of the patristic experience. Of particular value are the first two parts, called "Ascetic Experiments." This is a collection of basic doctrinal truths and experiences that the ancient fathers generously told. Only with adaptation to modern reality.
In the books, Ignatius advises us to search for the spirit, and not “letters”. It indicates the ability of the ancient fathers to perform ascetic feats. Monks could voluntarily renounce everything earthly, enclosing themselves in a deep cave. This is not characteristic of modern clergy. Correct spiritual experience should be based on deep repentance and humility of feelings, and not on feats and miracles.
Theophan the Recluse
“Passion and struggle with them” by St. Theophan the Recluse is one of the important works, which is also recommended for reading. This man was a famous bishop, theologian, publicist, preacher, who was counted among the saints. He played a huge role in reviving spirituality in society. His books are still characterized as the greatest example to scientists and philosophers of the whole earth.
The "Gospel story" of St. Theophan the Recluse is considered one of the most important works of this man. She is in a special place in the history of Russian spiritual literature. This book is a kind of guide to the Holy Gospel, which can provide salvation for man.
It contains an interpretation of the Lord’s prayer, an account of the events of the entire earthly life of the Savior. To find the event that interests the reader, you can use the headings for each part and paragraph. You can also use the alphabetical index and a detailed chronological table. An extensive appeal to the reader contains an interpretation of the principles and rules that he adopted in order to arrange the gospel events in the correct sequence.
The target audience of this work is a wide range of people. It can be successfully read by those who are interested in a deep knowledge of the Holy Scripture, its blessed power, and those who are just beginning to become acquainted with church truths.
Theophan the Recluse wrote his work using the text of the Bible. He saw the importance of studying the gospel not only in the interpretation of the content, but also in deep reflection on the meaning of what was said. To write the Gospel Story of God the Son, he studied the patristic exegesis of Chrysostom and Theodorite. But the author was also interested in modern Western comments. The main reason for reading his work, he saw devotion to the patristic spirit.
In the book you can find a lot of interesting facts that are accessible to ordinary people, subject to careful and thoughtful reading.
Reviews of the writings of the Holy Fathers
Among people who are actively interested in the works that I write the Holy Fathers, there are different opinions regarding the availability of such books for perception. No wonder it is recommended to start reading with the simplest works. After all, the Holy Fathers did not write books for profit. They constituted parting words and teachings to people who had long ago made their conscious choice in favor of the light forces.
Therefore, you need to read such literature very carefully, analyzing every thought. Otherwise, the meaning of the text will be misinterpreted.
To summarize
Reading spiritual literature is a great way to join the Christian church. For this purpose, the books of the Holy Fathers are well suited: John of Sinai, John of Kronstadt, Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov, Paisius Svyatogorets, Feofan the Recluse.
It is the works of these Holy Fathers that will help to find answers to the questions of faith set forth in plain human language. When writing their creations, authors often had to use Bible texts. This feature has contributed to the provision of accurate information.
The texts of the Holy Fathers will help to discover the essence of being, the nature of many things and events. When reading such books, you need to think about every word. And try to get to the truth. Spiritual development is a fundamental obligation for a believer.