Touching Heaven: Discovering Orthodox Christianity on the Island of Valaam

by John Oliver

"Deep in a northern Russian forest of jade and brown, far from any hint of civilization, Valaam Monastery sinks into the seasons of the year as it has for a thousand years before. . . ." So begins the story of John Oliver, a young evangelical American on a journey of discovery-a journey that leads him to an ancient Russian monastery, a place of peace and a place of struggle. For on Valaam, he encounters Orthodox Christianity and is reminded that the Christian life is not for the faint of heart. And on Valaam, the treasure of stillness requires a fierce guarding. Foreword by Fr. Jonah Paffhausen, abbot of the Monastery of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, in Northern California. Excerpts from book reviews: Lyrically, eloquently, and with great wisdom, this book speaks to the soul. Part spiritual autobiography, part penetrating description of what Orthodox spirituality can and should be, John Oliver's words evoke in the reader's mind and heart a longing for God, at once fierce and tender. "Great art, great architecture," he says, "always leads us inward and upward." This marvelous book does no less. It leads us inward and upward, until, for a moment at least, we even touch heaven. -Fr. John Breck, Author, professor of biblical interpretation and ethics at St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris Touching Heaven is a lovely book, quiet and contemplative, and full of peaceful revelations. -Frederica Mathewes-Green, Author of Facing East, National Public Radio commentator This is a gripping and finely written account of what drew John Oliver into the deeper waters of Christianity and made him an Orthodox Christian. -Jim Forest, Author of Praying with Icons, lecturer

186 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2003

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely and beautifully written account of a John Oliver's pilgrimage as a young man to a monastery on the island of Valaam in Russia. Oliver, raised in an evangelical Christian family, discovered the Orthodox church and clearly felt at home. The trip to Valaam itself is interesting, but I found his account of returning to "the world" most compelling. He also spends the four penultimate chapters discussing poverty, chastity, obedience and stability, and has an excellent perspective on all four which are useful for non-monastics. Especially in these chapters, he has many wonderful stories of saints and reflections on his journey and, more broadly, the Christian journey in general, that I'm sure I'll find useful in my own preaching.

In reflecting on his pilgrimage, Oliver (who is now an Orthodox priest himself) says that one of the important lessons of Valaam was that "the true self is not the distorted, hollow construction of personal whim and cultural manipulation that so often meets our gaze when we look courageously into ourselves. no, the true self is the shining pearl beneath. It is the image of God that bears my name. And it is worthy of deep respect and vigorous celebration. It is worth rescuing." Amen to that.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was “transported” to the northern island of Valaam through John Oliver’s pilgrimage. I could smell the pine trees, feel the cold water splash at my feet, look up to the wooden cross at the top of the hill at the Valaam Monastery. Actually, in truth, while I read the book, I listened on YouTube to the monks of Valaam chanting their ethereal, haunting prayers in song, which I have cherished for many years. Oliver made all of it “real” to me. He has such an amazing gift at crafting words, with piercing reflections on his soul and relationship to Christ. I have to admit, I knew John Oliver at this point in his life. We went to the same church. I know him to “be” the soul searcher, crafter of words as well as music, the lover of nature and the lover of Christ that I found him to be in this book. It is well worth your read.

[Christopher · Rating 1 out of 5]

John Oliver wrote TOUCHING HEAVEN during and after a pilgrimage to the Valaam monastery in Russia, where he and a group of other Orthodox Christians from the US repaired a site badly scarred by the communist years. I thought the book would be interesting, but was ultimately quite disappointed.

Oliver's book consists mainly of personal musings inspired by moments at the monastery. These concern the difficulty of the ascetic life on the island and the unhealthy values of American consumerism back home. While a volume of spiritual reflections can work, as in Thomas Merton's CONJECTURES OF A GUILTY BYSTANDER, Oliver's book is wildly unfocused. It also doesn't tell us much about the monastery itself, a major centre for pilgrimage, about which many readers would like to know more. Oliver's prose is very purple and full of trite similes and excessive verbage. The book also lacks professional editing and typesetting, and is yet another book that makes Orthodox presses in the US look amateurish. I regrettably cannot recommend this book.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful insight into the lives of those dwelling in an Orthodox monastery and all that it entails. Also some great words of wisdom from the author about what he learned there and living a Christian life in a secular world. Beautifully written!

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Megan Doney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully written and evocative of what is clearly a holy place. Knocked down a few stars for some stuff I didn't like about virgin martyrs. :)