در جستجوی حکمت واقعی: بازدید از پدران روحانی شرقی

The Catholic monk Basil Pennington wrote another classic about his encounter with Eastern Orthodoxy ("The Monks of Mount Athos"). Like that book, this one captures the author's experiences and perceptions of Orthodox monasticism at the beginnings of its amazing revival in the 1970s. This book is a work of dual authorship. The whole first part is a description of visits to various Russian Orthodox monasteries by Orthodox author Sergius Bolshakoff, mostly during the height of Soviet power and repression of Orthodox life in the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc nations. It is inspiring to read and realize that now monastic life is flourishing again in all these places! At one point, during a visit to Valamo monastery in Finland during the 1950s, the author had a discussion of the possibility (or lack thereof) of Orthodox monasticism in North America. It is heartening to realize that there were almost NO Orthodox monasteries in America in the 1950s, but now there are over 50! Even in rocky soil, the seed can fall and bear fruit. The best part of the book are the chapters written by Pennington, focused on the monastic renewal on Mount Athos during the 1970s and the beginnings of Orthodox monasticism in English-speaking nations during the same time period. On Athos, his focus is rightly on Archimandrite Aimilianos, Elder Paisios, and Archimandrite Vasileios. In England, he provides a rare account of a visit to Archimandrite Sophrony's monastery in Essex. And to end the book with a blessing, he finishes with the only published account of visiting Mother Alexandra, former Princess Ileana of Romania, at her monastery in Pennsylvania. All Orthodox know that descriptions of being in the presence of true elders are worth their weight in gold. This book provides that and more. Worth seeking out. Preface v At the Lavra of Saint Alexander Nevsky: Father Sergius 1 In the Tradition of Bishop Ignatius : Hierodeacon Isaya Bobinin 8 Father Theophan and the Pskovo-Petchersky Monastery 19 Hieromonk Dorofey of Konevitsa: The First Steps on the Spiritual Journey 28 In the Far North: Hieromonk John of Petchenga 38 Hegumen John, Exiled from Solitude 44 The Tradition of Valaam: Hieroschimonk Luke 51 The Recluse of Uusi Valamo: Hieroschimonk Michael 59 Archimandrite Ilian, Hegumen of Aghios Panteleimonos 71 A Good Monk at Dionysiou: Father Euthemios 81 A Monk in Exile: Father Tikhon Voinov 92 The Young Elder: Archimandrite Aimilianos 100 Conference of Archimandrite Aimilianos 110 Stavronikita: Father Paisios and Archimandrite Vasileios 114 Conference of Archimandrite Vasileios 111 Archimandrite Sophrony: Disciple of Father Silouan 137 Conference of Archimandrite Sophrony 145 Mount Athos in Boston: Archimandrite Panteleimon 151 A Noble Spiritual Mother: Mother Alexandra 159 Conference of Mother Alexandra 167 Glossary 173