The Arena: An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism

The Collected Works of St Ignatius (Brianchaninov) #5

by Ignatius Brianchaninov, Lazarus Moore (Translator)

This is a classic text that offers many treasures for seekers of the spiritual life today. Subjects covered include unceasing prayer, the need for spiritual direction and the importance of Divine meditation. Translated into English by Father Lazarus Moore from the original Russian edition published in 1867. It encapsulates the legacy of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) as it was published in the year of his death, after some forty years of monastic life. Whilst directed specifically to monks it contains much that will be of benefit to any one concerned with discovering the Christian mystical life.

Genres: Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian, Spirituality, Theology

299 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1982

About the author

Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807–1867) is a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church. He was born Demetrius Alexandrovich Brianchaninov, to a wealthy landowning family. He was educated at Pioneer Military School in St. Petersburg. Although successful in his studies he was deeply dissatisfied with the lay life and turned to a life of prayer.
In 1827 he fell seriously ill and left the army on this ground. He began pursuing a monastic vocation and in 1831 took monastic vows and received the monastic name of Ignatius. Soon after he was ordained a priest. He rose rapidly to the rank of archimandrite and at the age of 26 was appointed superior of the Maritime Monastery of St. Sergius in St. Petersburg.
In 1857, he was consecrated Bishop of the Caucasus and the Black Sea, but he retired only four years later to devote himself to spiritual writing.
He wrote a large amount of material, mostly about the spiritual life and prayer. Only a small portion of his writing has been translated into English. Although his writing was intended primarily for monks, his works are highly recommended for lay Christians by leading Orthodox figures such as Father Thomas Hopko.
He was glorified (canonized) as a saint by the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church of 1988. His relics are preserved at the Tolga Monastery, near Yaroslavl.

Reviews

[Signe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work is a salve and balm.

Is not a work for beginners in the Christian life, but rather for Orthodox Christian monastic novices who already have some Christian formation. The hard sayings of Christ Jesus are not skirted around. This is a book about the narrow way.

Though he primarily addresses common spiritual concerns of male monastics, this work could be very helpful for laypeople. St Ignatius clearly articulates direction on how to cultivate the spiritual life and practical guidance around pitfalls.

[Heinz Reinhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of my reading series for my status as Cathecumen of ROCOR. Despite this book being written over a century and a half ago in Czarist Russia, the parallels in the moral state of society are clearly drawn and speak to readers of today (even those of us in the West). Although not a seeker of the Monastic lifestyle, monks are highly regarded by myself, and this book, aimed at young monk aspirants, stands as an excellent guide to living the Orthodox Christian faith.
While, obviously, some of the lessons and teachings won't translate entirely or specifically to a non monastic, there is plenty to learn as the basic outline of spiritual life is much the same for a monk and a layperson.
Not for wimps(Brother Ignatius was a very, well, fierce personality in his lifetime, and he, several times, uses the cross analogy of the military lives of soldiers, marshalls/generals and kings during time of war with living the Christian life), so be prepared to be spoken to sternly and with masculine power. Frankly, it was refreshing and more rewarding for it.
Well worth the time.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I'll come back to again and again. St. Ignatius, pray for us!

[Nicholas Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard book for me to review.
On the one hand, I totally recommend. There were times when I was reading where I thought it was the best spiritual books I had read in months. Chapter 28: On the Remembrance of Death and Chapter 44: Struggling with Fallen Angels where particularly fruitful for me. St. Ignatius almost conceived me to become a monk. I have no doubt this book can be an influential guide to sainthood.
However, the major flaw in the book is perhaps an unease I have as a 21st Century Roman Catholic with St. Ignatius’s emphasis on servile fear. Fair enough, we should see ourselves as the first of all sinner and do penance for our lives, but the emphasis seems to be fear of Hell, rather than filial sadness for offend the One we (ought to) love the most. While praying as a criminal facing trial is a useful mindset, I think it ought to be tempered with meditations on he joys of heaven, or the power of God’s grace.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I never finish reading. I have to put it down and "chew" on what I have read for days or weeks or months before returning for another bite. Excellent writing and seemingly good translation from Russian into English.

Although targeted toward Russian Orthodox monastics, there is much here that I believe the layperson will be able to take and use as he develops spiritually over his lifetime.

At times terrifying as Bp. Ignatius speaks of death and the hereafter, and comforting as he points to the way of Orthodoxy to heaven.

I recommend this book only for Orthodox Christians, not for Protestants nor Roman Catholics nor non-Christians.

[Ryan Harbry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the best book on Christian spirituality and Christian theology that I have ever read. It came highly recommend to me by someone who I love and admire in the faith, and it exceeded every expectation that I brought to it. I would never suggest it as an introduction to someone new, or interested in, Orthodox Christianity. There are better books for this. But for those who are truly interested in living the faith, in maturing in the faith, these will find in Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov's words a spiritual vision steeped in the Holy Scriptures, steeped in the Church Fathers, and in the ascetic Tradition of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church - I am sure of it.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important works for someone beginning the spiritual life in the Orthodox Church - though I first read this as a Byzantine Catholic. It is informative, captivating, and engaging. Much of this, admittedly, I only understood after being Orthodox for over a year - and I continue to see more and more wisdom in this work of St. Ignatii each time I return to it.

If one is interested in either monasticism or the spiritual life in the Orthodox Church, this work is indispensable.

[William Tu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book, but many of the advices are only applicable to monks. People who don't intend to live in a monastery for the rest of their lives need to read this book with discernment, lest they take the too strict advice and apply it in a non-monastery life.

[INWARDS & UPWARDS ! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nitty gritty spiritual warfare . Higher self Vs Lower self

[Zecchaeus Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad I tried to read it slowly! So much wisdom!

[Cecily · Rating 5 out of 5]

My edition is c. 1970, published in Madras, India--Diocesan Press. It's the first edition, with an introduction by Archimandrite Kallistos. The book was recommended by an eastern Orthodox acquaintance, but I didn't read it at the time. Then in 2001 a Trappist monk gave me this 1970 copy as a gift. I've been reading and re-reading it ever since. It's wonderful. It not only summarizes much of the best of the desert fathers, it includes stories I've not seen translated into English elsewhere. It's also good because it relates the desert fathers to a century much nearer to ours.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was recommended to me by my spiritual father. It was ok, but it felt very harsh to me. There is a lot of good in it, but it seemed to be geared towards monastics, not the average layperson. I was kind of put off by it. Perhaps it was above my measure at the time, and maybe if I read it at a later date it would be more profitable - it might have been too early in my walk to be of benefit.

[Hans · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like a 4.5

Great read. Written by a Russian Orthodox monk/bishop from about a century ago. Great spiritual insight. The only annoyance is that the 2nd half of the book is just a repeat of the first half. The first half is so great that it makes up for it, in my opinion.

[James Stowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spiritual Practices

Awesome book with many helpful tips to the advancement of spiritual growth. Whether you are a monk, considering the monastic life, or simply desire to add spiritual nourishment to your life, you will find tremendous blessing from this book.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

As spiritually challenging as the Ladder, the Arena offers great insight into what modern monasticism, and the call of Christ looks like on the monastic both in the monastery and in the world.

[Angela Alessandroni]

formative.