On the Law of God

by Philaret Voznesensky

Metropolitan Philaret was the third and one of the most respected Presiding Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad. He died in 1985. A short biography is followed by a more detailed account of the transfer of his remains in 1998. In his writing he shows us that God's law is placed into man's soul to "guide all of his life and activities." The law of is thus revealed not as an external impersonal moral code but as a personal, life giving reality for the believer. Altogether the book has thirty short chapters of instruction on topics ranging from "Freedom of Will" to "Emotional Development" and "The Necessity of Prayer."

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

saint in Russian orthodoxy, metropolitan of New York

Reviews

[Kaj Efrayim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is great! I also recommend How to Live a Holy Life by Metropolitan Gregory Postnikov, which is similar in its call to our Life in Christ.

[Gregory Korbut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on the recommendation of a parishioner and am very glad I did. In less than 100 pages, many of the truths of the Orthodox Church, sometimes taken for granted, are laid out very plainly. It is comforting to find that this work, composed in recent times, flows consistently with the Holy Tradition of the Church, as expressed by clergy today and the fathers of centuries past.

I wonder if the 'matter of fact' nature of this book might scare away some inquirers to Orthodoxy? The book is a jolt, a shot in the arm for those who have (like myself) drifted toward a more intellectualized faith, directing us back to one more experiential, the relationship with God and with our neighbor.

This short but powerful text has 30 chapters, each a few pages long, addressing aspects of Christianity (and in some cases rightly noting its decline). One could easily read a chapter and then ponder it days, formulating questions, discuss them with friends or clergy, digging deeper into their own heart. A very useful tool for self examination!

I purposely read this once through without a highlighter, and I know I will return to this for a more in-depth and thoughtful reading in the near future.