Part II/III titled "How to Read the Holy Fathers" from Fr. Seraphim Rose's insight on the most profitably way to read the Orthodox Holy Fathers. Fr. Seraphim examines what the Holy Fathers intended with their writings, how they always had in mind that their reader would put their words into action, not merely gain knowledge…


Part II/III titled “How to Read the Holy Fathers” from Fr. Seraphim Rose’s insight on the most profitably way to read the Orthodox Holy Fathers. Fr. Seraphim examines what the Holy Fathers intended with their writings, how they always had in mind that their reader would put their words into action, not merely gain knowledge and be puffed up (1 Cor 8:1). He speaks of how St. Paisius Velichkovsky had joy and fear with the idea of the Philokalia being published. He illumines us regarding how to read the Fathers with the insights of St. Macarius of Optina, St. John of the Ladder, St. Barsanuphius, St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, and more. This focus will keep us on the narrow path towards our Christ.

This article was first published in The Orthodox Word (Vol. 11, No.1 (Jan.-Feb., 1975), 35-41).

The text can be found here: http://orthodoxinfo.com/phronema/rose_mind2.aspx

Fr. Seraphim, pray to God for us!

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