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Counsels from the Holy Mountain: Selected from the letters and homilies of Elder Ephraim
A disciple of Elder Joseph the Hesychast, Elder Ephraim has, over the past couple of decades, ventured out from Mt. Athos to plant monastic communities in North America. We offer many books by and about the Desert Fathers, and truly their voices are living voices. But we would go a step further and say that their lives are not distant examples, but are immediately incarnate in the lives and writings of such as Elder Ephraim, who walks among us today. His counsels have a similar pristine and primitive urgency, compelling in their simplicity the way that the Scriptures are. We can and must read the Fathers, and the Philokalia and its offspring, but always remember that the practice of their precepts is the crucial thing. We have a contemporary example here in the life and writings of Elder Ephraim, his mentors and disciples.
- GenresNonfictionReligion
466 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 28, 2011
I was inspired to check out this book after reading the following article in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/13/spo...
The book was hard to find, and that also made it expensive. It consists of letters and homilies of Elder Ephraim, many of which repeat the same things over and over again. Had I not had such a difficult time getting my hands on a copy of the book, I might not have had enough motivation to read it cover to cover because of the repetitive nature.
Before this New York Times article I knew nothing about Mount Athos, the monasteries there or really the Greek Orthodox tradition. I’m fascinated by the Monasteries at Mount Athos and would like to read more about them and the communities there. I’m still not sure how I feel about Monasticism as way of life, as a way to serve God, but this was a good book to learn about the spiritual life of a Greek Orthodox Monk, what they believe and strive for.
The book was mostly teachings on how to be a good monk, although there were some letters addressed to laypeople. I found a few theological differences between what I believe and what the Elder teaches, but they were pretty minor. There were several important words that were not translated from Greek, and there was an excellent glossary in the back of the book. I assume this was because there is no appropriate English equivalent but it made some ideas hard to fully understand. I particularly struggled with the concept of “nous” being new to the term.
The greatest insights I gained from reading the Elder’s Letters was his various teachings on prayer. Since the goal of the monks at Mount Athos is to live a life of continuous prayer, they have much wisdom on the matter. There was extreme dedication to the purity of thought, and various methods on how to obtain it.
While not a good cover to cover book, The Councils was a great reference book when one approaches it looking for insight into a particular topic (the book is organized by topic). I’m glad to have a copy of it in my library, and I am sure I will be referencing back to it again and again over the years.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/13/spo...
The book was hard to find, and that also made it expensive. It consists of letters and homilies of Elder Ephraim, many of which repeat the same things over and over again. Had I not had such a difficult time getting my hands on a copy of the book, I might not have had enough motivation to read it cover to cover because of the repetitive nature.
Before this New York Times article I knew nothing about Mount Athos, the monasteries there or really the Greek Orthodox tradition. I’m fascinated by the Monasteries at Mount Athos and would like to read more about them and the communities there. I’m still not sure how I feel about Monasticism as way of life, as a way to serve God, but this was a good book to learn about the spiritual life of a Greek Orthodox Monk, what they believe and strive for.
The book was mostly teachings on how to be a good monk, although there were some letters addressed to laypeople. I found a few theological differences between what I believe and what the Elder teaches, but they were pretty minor. There were several important words that were not translated from Greek, and there was an excellent glossary in the back of the book. I assume this was because there is no appropriate English equivalent but it made some ideas hard to fully understand. I particularly struggled with the concept of “nous” being new to the term.
The greatest insights I gained from reading the Elder’s Letters was his various teachings on prayer. Since the goal of the monks at Mount Athos is to live a life of continuous prayer, they have much wisdom on the matter. There was extreme dedication to the purity of thought, and various methods on how to obtain it.
While not a good cover to cover book, The Councils was a great reference book when one approaches it looking for insight into a particular topic (the book is organized by topic). I’m glad to have a copy of it in my library, and I am sure I will be referencing back to it again and again over the years.
August 7, 2019
Sometimes I wish we could rate books with more than five stars. This is such a case. Counsels from the Holy Mountain, Selected from the Letters and Homilies of Elder Ephraim, is a collection of writings by Archimandrite Ephraim, a former abbot of the Holy Monastery of Philotheou on Mount Athos. It is a work I know that I will return to again and again.
This book is overflowing with not just counsel, but wise and holy counsel. It covers so much: Salvation and Paradise, Afflictions and Illness, Sin, Repentance and Confession, Monasticism and the World, Obedience, Remembrance of Death and Hell, Spiritual Struggle, Cowardice and Courage, Condemnation and Silence, Pride and Humility, Love and Forgiveness, Thoughts and Distractions, Prayer and Watchfulness, the Departed, and so much more.
One aspect of this work I find particularly helpful is that is not written long ago with archaic language. The examples are often closer to our time than far in the past. Although the book does not include much biographical information, and there is no Library of Congress catalogue information noting the lifespan of Elder Ephraim, there is an allusion to a meeting of the author of the Prologue, remarking that they met in the 1960s. Orthodoxwiki indicates Elder Epraim was born in 1927, but provides no date of repose. That would make him 92 years old.
One passage worth sharing is:
We must guard our conscience on three points--with respect to God, with respect to neighbor, and with respect to things. . . . He guards his conscience with respect to things when he does not cause destruction or damage to material things through carelessness, negligence, or unscrupulousness.
St. Theodore the Studite tells us many things about this "unscrupulousness." When you see something burning or being damaged and you don't pick it up and protect it, this is unscrupulousness. When your clothes get torn and you neglect to mend them, and then they get completely ruined, this is unscrupulousness. When you are able to work but instead of working you wander around here and there, this is also unscrupulousness. When you leave your food out and it goes bad and you throw it away, this is unscrupulousness because you should have taken care to eat it before it went bad. Therefore, unscrupulousness is when one errs in any way with respect to material things, and also when one offends God in any way.
This passage particularly resonates for me in two ways. First, regarding the wandering around without purpose. I would suggest that today, that would include lounging around or being a couch potato, the vegging in front of the television for hours, the scrolling through various media on one's cell phone or tablet. These are things we all do from time to time, I suppose, some more than others. But, as a writer, I know I feel guilty when I am not writing, when I am "wandering around." Now sometimes, I am actually contemplating my work when I engage in such behaviors, or a writing project is percolating. I'm not so sure that is unprofitable wandering, especially when it is prayerful. But the wandering doing absolutely nothing productive, not even in thought or prayer, that certainly qualifies as unscrupulousness. From here on out, I will remember that this is a form of unscrupulousness and an offense against God--and cease such unproductive behavior.
The second way this passage particularly resonates with me is with respect to the treatment of food. Increasingly over the years, I have come to regard wasting food as sinful. Whether it is fruit that spoils before we can finish it, or leftovers that have gone uneaten, or frozen food that has freezer burn to the point of being inedible, I have come to feel more and more guilty about not respecting God's blessings in our life to be able to buy whatever we want for our sustenance. I think this is particularly true when the food is some variety of meat or seafood. An animal gave its life to feed humans, and then is wasted. This must be an especially horrible offense to God--truly an affront to Him.
Our society has such a throw away mentality. Here, in America, I think it is especially a problem. There are countless times we have been in a restaurant and seen tables diners have just left where the plate is literally still loaded with food. In fact, this happened just the other day at one of our favorite breakfast places. Maybe some had to leave in such a hurry that they could not even wait for a box to put in the leftovers. But I doubt that bona fide emergencies occur often--certainly not as often as I see significant amounts of food wastefully left on a restaurant plate. Of course, I cannot do much about the behavior of others. But, I am certainly more cognizant of my own in this regard. And, now that I know it is spiritual unscrupulousness, I will especially guard against such behavior by not ordering more than I know I will eat, or at least always taking home the leftovers. And if a meal comes with an item I know I will not eat (toast at breakfast would be an example), then I will ask for it not to be served to me.
In any event, Counsels from the Holy Mountain will be a spiritually profitable read for you. I highly recommend not only that you read it, but that you buy a copy. It is a book you will return to again and again.
This book is overflowing with not just counsel, but wise and holy counsel. It covers so much: Salvation and Paradise, Afflictions and Illness, Sin, Repentance and Confession, Monasticism and the World, Obedience, Remembrance of Death and Hell, Spiritual Struggle, Cowardice and Courage, Condemnation and Silence, Pride and Humility, Love and Forgiveness, Thoughts and Distractions, Prayer and Watchfulness, the Departed, and so much more.
One aspect of this work I find particularly helpful is that is not written long ago with archaic language. The examples are often closer to our time than far in the past. Although the book does not include much biographical information, and there is no Library of Congress catalogue information noting the lifespan of Elder Ephraim, there is an allusion to a meeting of the author of the Prologue, remarking that they met in the 1960s. Orthodoxwiki indicates Elder Epraim was born in 1927, but provides no date of repose. That would make him 92 years old.
One passage worth sharing is:
We must guard our conscience on three points--with respect to God, with respect to neighbor, and with respect to things. . . . He guards his conscience with respect to things when he does not cause destruction or damage to material things through carelessness, negligence, or unscrupulousness.
St. Theodore the Studite tells us many things about this "unscrupulousness." When you see something burning or being damaged and you don't pick it up and protect it, this is unscrupulousness. When your clothes get torn and you neglect to mend them, and then they get completely ruined, this is unscrupulousness. When you are able to work but instead of working you wander around here and there, this is also unscrupulousness. When you leave your food out and it goes bad and you throw it away, this is unscrupulousness because you should have taken care to eat it before it went bad. Therefore, unscrupulousness is when one errs in any way with respect to material things, and also when one offends God in any way.
This passage particularly resonates for me in two ways. First, regarding the wandering around without purpose. I would suggest that today, that would include lounging around or being a couch potato, the vegging in front of the television for hours, the scrolling through various media on one's cell phone or tablet. These are things we all do from time to time, I suppose, some more than others. But, as a writer, I know I feel guilty when I am not writing, when I am "wandering around." Now sometimes, I am actually contemplating my work when I engage in such behaviors, or a writing project is percolating. I'm not so sure that is unprofitable wandering, especially when it is prayerful. But the wandering doing absolutely nothing productive, not even in thought or prayer, that certainly qualifies as unscrupulousness. From here on out, I will remember that this is a form of unscrupulousness and an offense against God--and cease such unproductive behavior.
The second way this passage particularly resonates with me is with respect to the treatment of food. Increasingly over the years, I have come to regard wasting food as sinful. Whether it is fruit that spoils before we can finish it, or leftovers that have gone uneaten, or frozen food that has freezer burn to the point of being inedible, I have come to feel more and more guilty about not respecting God's blessings in our life to be able to buy whatever we want for our sustenance. I think this is particularly true when the food is some variety of meat or seafood. An animal gave its life to feed humans, and then is wasted. This must be an especially horrible offense to God--truly an affront to Him.
Our society has such a throw away mentality. Here, in America, I think it is especially a problem. There are countless times we have been in a restaurant and seen tables diners have just left where the plate is literally still loaded with food. In fact, this happened just the other day at one of our favorite breakfast places. Maybe some had to leave in such a hurry that they could not even wait for a box to put in the leftovers. But I doubt that bona fide emergencies occur often--certainly not as often as I see significant amounts of food wastefully left on a restaurant plate. Of course, I cannot do much about the behavior of others. But, I am certainly more cognizant of my own in this regard. And, now that I know it is spiritual unscrupulousness, I will especially guard against such behavior by not ordering more than I know I will eat, or at least always taking home the leftovers. And if a meal comes with an item I know I will not eat (toast at breakfast would be an example), then I will ask for it not to be served to me.
In any event, Counsels from the Holy Mountain will be a spiritually profitable read for you. I highly recommend not only that you read it, but that you buy a copy. It is a book you will return to again and again.
December 16, 2019
May Geronda Ephraim rest in peace with our Lord Jesus Christ.
I never had the opportunity to meet him, but I loved reading these writings, as I was constantly reminded to be humble. He was inspirational, constantly asking for God's forgiveness, though he was holy himself. Geronda Ephraim clearly set an example of being Christlike and offers sound, beautiful, and much needed advice.
I never had the opportunity to meet him, but I loved reading these writings, as I was constantly reminded to be humble. He was inspirational, constantly asking for God's forgiveness, though he was holy himself. Geronda Ephraim clearly set an example of being Christlike and offers sound, beautiful, and much needed advice.
November 21, 2025
The only book an Orthodox Christian might ever need
This is a must read for every Orrhodox Christian. I cant recommend it enough!!!! If you only had one single book to take through life with you, this book would be all you could need and want.
This is a must read for every Orrhodox Christian. I cant recommend it enough!!!! If you only had one single book to take through life with you, this book would be all you could need and want.
May 16, 2024
Best book I've ever read
May 6, 2025
我拿到的是一部基于英文版的中文译本，如果不算沙漠教父言行录的话，这是我读过的第一本东正教灵修书。
首先第一感觉是它很难读，虽然是有章节区分每一章主题，但是很多内容实际是类似的，有许多话是反反复复讲的。对于那些从来没有接触过东正教灵修的其他宗派的基督徒来说，就如同拿了一本武林秘籍但是却没有心法一样。所以这本书速看是没有效果的，必须结合东正教的灵修和祈祷才能实际体会很多书中的内容。
所以我看的非常慢，大概看了半年才看完。
其次，我感觉到以法莲长老所展示的东正教灵修中的一种强迫性精神。尤其是在我们不愿意祈祷，不愿意持守诫命时，如果没有这个强迫性，可能人的惰性就是不愿意去行而最终与基督越行越远。
这种自我强迫的精神是在我之前的新教教会里完全看不到的，很多新教教会是对于信徒的软弱一味安慰呵护，不敢多呵斥，而书中却要求信徒自己必须站起来重新奋斗，不给自己留任何借口，虽然这大概率是修士的标准，比普通平信徒要严厉许多，但两者的差异一比较也十分明显。当时读到感觉大受震撼，并且也坚定了自己的东正教信仰。
此外必须要指出，书中的灵修方法是基于修道院生活，对于平信徒来说，一定要参照自己的实际情况，量力而行，切勿机械照搬。比如书中提到修士会彻夜祈祷，连续好几个小时心祷而达到神视，平信徒要注意自己是否有这个修行条件。
首先第一感觉是它很难读，虽然是有章节区分每一章主题，但是很多内容实际是类似的，有许多话是反反复复讲的。对于那些从来没有接触过东正教灵修的其他宗派的基督徒来说，就如同拿了一本武林秘籍但是却没有心法一样。所以这本书速看是没有效果的，必须结合东正教的灵修和祈祷才能实际体会很多书中的内容。
所以我看的非常慢，大概看了半年才看完。
其次，我感觉到以法莲长老所展示的东正教灵修中的一种强迫性精神。尤其是在我们不愿意祈祷，不愿意持守诫命时，如果没有这个强迫性，可能人的惰性就是不愿意去行而最终与基督越行越远。
这种自我强迫的精神是在我之前的新教教会里完全看不到的，很多新教教会是对于信徒的软弱一味安慰呵护，不敢多呵斥，而书中却要求信徒自己必须站起来重新奋斗，不给自己留任何借口，虽然这大概率是修士的标准，比普通平信徒要严厉许多，但两者的差异一比较也十分明显。当时读到感觉大受震撼，并且也坚定了自己的东正教信仰。
此外必须要指出，书中的灵修方法是基于修道院生活，对于平信徒来说，一定要参照自己的实际情况，量力而行，切勿机械照搬。比如书中提到修士会彻夜祈祷，连续好几个小时心祷而达到神视，平信徒要注意自己是否有这个修行条件。
April 28, 2011
A deep well of Orthodox spirituality by Athonite Elder Ephraim. Not only to be read but to be revisited multiple times over. Collect from his various writings including letters to his spiritual children. Wonder-full!
August 11, 2011
A deep well of Orthodox spirituality by Athonite Elder Ephraim. Not only to be read but to be revisited multiple times over. Collect from his various writings including letters to his spiritual children. Wonder-full!
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March 10, 2011
Very helpful and convicting a very good read when troubled.
May 11, 2019
Brilliant!
Such a wonderful book about what it means to be a true Christian. So inspiring! It's really humbling to see just how much God loves us.
Such a wonderful book about what it means to be a true Christian. So inspiring! It's really humbling to see just how much God loves us.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews