Every Christian who wants to approach the church asks many questions and is often perplexed. Among such questions, let us consider one of the most important: how to read spiritual literature correctly. Let's 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 offered at the moment. 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 there had to be a specific occasion. Therefore, reading does not promise to be easy.
The books of the Holy Fathers reflect the life experience of many generations of Orthodox Christians. Therefore, the study of such literature requires careful attention to each 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 fails to comprehend the book, he will still need to develop spiritually before starting to read.
Church literature review
Among the books of the Holy Fathers, the "Ladder" should be singled out. This is classical literature of the ascetic direction. The translation of the name sounds like "stairway between earth and sky." The author of the work is Abbot John of Sinai. The book is meant to be read by monks. Therefore, it can be quite difficult for the laity to interpret its content.
"Ladder" - the instruction of the Holy Father, it is considered an invaluable source of spiritual experience. She teaches to fight passions. The Ladder offers a diagram of the relationship between passions and vices. It is indicated that passions can give rise to one another. Therefore, it is important to eradicate the source of the main passion. Otherwise, you won't win.
Labor of John of Kronstadt
Among the teachings of the Holy Fathers, the book "Life in Christ", which was created by Archpriest John of Kronstadt, is noteworthy. The work is designed in the form of a diary with notes about what spiritual and life experience the author had to get. When asked about the origin of the ardent faith in the Creator, which filled the soul of John of Kronstadt, he replied that he had spent his life in the church.
The book is recommended for 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 temple of the port city of Kronstadt, which was almost completely mired in sins from unrestrained drunkenness, theft, and fights, which no one was surprised at. Such situationswere in order. It was Father John who managed to teach people to love the Creator. In order to restore the image of the Lord in the souls of the townspeople, he organized a sobriety society, a hospitable home. He taught the townspeople to follow church truths. This man has made a huge contribution to the upbringing of good Christians.
Creation of monk Nikodim
When studying the books of the Holy Fathers for the laity, it is interesting to know which ones to read first. After all, some of these works are understandable only to monks. Among the creations available to the common man is the book "Invisible Warfare". It was created by the Athonite monk Nikodim, nicknamed the Holy Mountaineer. Translation from Greek belongs to Theophan the Recluse. The book describes the inner struggle that goes on in every believing soul who is attentive to their spiritual life.
Nikodim the Holy Mountaineer created a valuable work in which he talks about what a Christian feat is and what its essence is. The author argues that the meaning of the Christian faith is the fight against the sinful essence. Nicodemus says that sin begins with sinful thoughts born inside a person. And only a person can refuse such a thought or come to terms with it.
Paisy the Holy Mountain
Paisy the Holy Mountaineer also teaches to fight against unholy thoughts. This Athos monk had eight classes of education, but thanks to the cleansing of his heart from the passions that overwhelmed him, the Holy Spirit settled in him. Paisios was canonized, canonized as a saint. It didEcumenical Patriarch.
The collected works of Paisius consists of five volumes of words, instructions, stories of people who were visitors to the elder. There are many interesting and instructive things in these books both for monks and for the category of family readers living in the world. The topics of instruction are the upbringing of children, the importance of public service, advice on choosing a life partner, rules for relationships with loved ones. Paisius is our contemporary. He survived the difficulties of a difficult evil time, embodying the essence of Christian ideals. With his life, he confirmed that Christ does not change his face regardless of the era. Therefore, the meaning of Christian truths remains the same.
Labor of St. Ignatius
It is recommended to delve 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 chose books for their children. Saint Ignatius managed to collect and systematize all the we alth of patristic experience. Of particular value are the first two parts, called "Ascetic Experiences". This is a collection of basic doctrinal truths and experiences that the ancient fathers generously told. Only with adaptation to modern reality.
In books, Ignatius advises to search for the spirit, not the “letter”. He points to the ability of the ancient fathers to perform ascetic feats. The monks could voluntarily renounce everything earthly, enclosing themselves in a deep cave. This is not typical of modern clergy. Proper Spiritualexperience should be based on deep repentance and humility of feelings, and not on exploits and miracles.
Works of 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 canonized as a saint. 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. It occupies 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 the interpretation of the Lord's Prayer, a summary of the events of the entire earthly life of the Savior. You can find an event that interests the reader using the titles 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 events of the gospel in the correct sequence.
The target audience for 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 grace-filled power, and those who are just beginning to partake of 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 Theodoret. But the author was also interested in modern Western commentaries. He saw devotion to the patristic spirit as the main meaning of reading his work.
In the book you can find a lot of interesting facts that are accessible to ordinary people, subject to careful and thoughtful reading.
Reviews on the works of the Holy Fathers
Among people who are actively interested in the works written by 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 made parting words and teachings to people who have long made their conscious choice in favor of the forces of light.
Therefore, you need to read such literature very carefully, analyzing every thought. Otherwise, the meaning of the text will be misinterpreted.
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, St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, Paisius the Holy Mountaineer, Theophan the Recluse.
It is the works of these Holy Fathers that will help to find answers to the questions of faith, set forth in an accessible way forperception in simple human language. When writing their creations, the authors often had to use the texts of the Bible. This feature 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.
