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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These kinds of writings of very helpful
I can’t believe he wrote this. It’s like his most important work and never heard of it
I have committed terrible mistakes . I read the Philokalia without guidance. I became proud. I stopped reading it after a few months I realized that I'm deceived.. thanks to the modern Saints especially Saint Paisios of mount athos.
Now I understand that humility is the most important and always very small steps in the spiritual life..
My question, can you you reccomend books for beginners? Which really humbling?
For example the Psalter from Saint ephraim the Syrian is very humbling..
But I don't find more simple books .. only hard teachings from the Holy Fathers..
Wish I came across this when I first started inquiring