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The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society
Archbishop Averky addresses head on the question, “What is asceticism?” He counters the many false understandings that exist and shows that the practice of authentic asceticism is integral to the spiritual life and the path to blessed communion with God.
194 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 27, 2014
Asceticism can be a scary word to laity. We tend to largely ignore it, and convince ourselves that it is something suitable for priests, sisters, and monks, but certainly not us! That thought process could not be further from the truth. Asceticism is, in fact, the "constant practice of good works." These works consist of love of God, love of neighbor, and any other works that show we are trying to love God and neighbor. All of this information is spelled out in the introduction of the book, The Struggle for Virtue.
The book then goes on to discuss subjects such as pride and humility, Christian love, conscience, and spiritual warfare. I am not bold enough to pick a section that spoke to me more than the others, because it felt like they were all shouting at me, not in a bad way, but in a you can do better in your spiritual life. You can be better. For example, Chapter Seven deals with the distractions of life. This is something that has always been present, and not a new phenomenon that just affects our current generation. Thus, we must work to shield our heart from seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling or feeling anything that will lead us to sin. Easier said than done. I know!
Chapter Eight: Resisting Evil and Chapter Nine: Waging Unseen Warfare are both vitally important to your everyday life. Four steps are given by the Holy Fathers, which I will briefly summarize:
1. Based on your life experience, know your weakness and know that you cannot do any good without God's help.
2. Ask God to reveal to you your weaknesses.
3. Fear for yourself and beware of Satan, knowing that you can only wrestle with him with God's help.
4. When you fall into sin, recognize your weakness and know that God allowed this fall so that you will recognize your weaknesses and rely on Him.
Overall, this was a very fascinating read. It was written in a clear and easily understood manner, but the content required you to read and re-read it, so that you could absorb the message. There was one confusing part in the book, which dealt with the trichotomy of man. I always understood man to be a dichotomy of body and soul, but this book touched on body, soul, and spirit. Perhaps one of these parts is meant to be mind, so that it would be mind, body, and soul. If that is the case, it makes a bit more sense to me. If you are a lay person in the Orthodox Church looking for practical advice on asceticism, this book is for you. Catholics and Protestant denominations could find value in this book as well.
The book then goes on to discuss subjects such as pride and humility, Christian love, conscience, and spiritual warfare. I am not bold enough to pick a section that spoke to me more than the others, because it felt like they were all shouting at me, not in a bad way, but in a you can do better in your spiritual life. You can be better. For example, Chapter Seven deals with the distractions of life. This is something that has always been present, and not a new phenomenon that just affects our current generation. Thus, we must work to shield our heart from seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling or feeling anything that will lead us to sin. Easier said than done. I know!
Chapter Eight: Resisting Evil and Chapter Nine: Waging Unseen Warfare are both vitally important to your everyday life. Four steps are given by the Holy Fathers, which I will briefly summarize:
1. Based on your life experience, know your weakness and know that you cannot do any good without God's help.
2. Ask God to reveal to you your weaknesses.
3. Fear for yourself and beware of Satan, knowing that you can only wrestle with him with God's help.
4. When you fall into sin, recognize your weakness and know that God allowed this fall so that you will recognize your weaknesses and rely on Him.
Overall, this was a very fascinating read. It was written in a clear and easily understood manner, but the content required you to read and re-read it, so that you could absorb the message. There was one confusing part in the book, which dealt with the trichotomy of man. I always understood man to be a dichotomy of body and soul, but this book touched on body, soul, and spirit. Perhaps one of these parts is meant to be mind, so that it would be mind, body, and soul. If that is the case, it makes a bit more sense to me. If you are a lay person in the Orthodox Church looking for practical advice on asceticism, this book is for you. Catholics and Protestant denominations could find value in this book as well.
November 22, 2014
This book can be summed up by the following quote, from the last chapter: "Asceticism is nothing other than a struggle with passions and exercise in virtues." This remarkably precise and concise statement is key to an understanding of the scriptures. It defines our role here on earth as a preparation for our eschatological hope, when we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Properly understood, this life is a struggle; what the Russian church calls our podvig. The struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the sins that so easily beset us. We strive against sin to the shedding of blood, that we may win Christ. We work and strive, yes, but our efforts are all for naught without the Holy Spirit. We seek to replace our sinful passions with the godly virtues; the Holy Spirit is beside us, undergirding us, measure for measure empowering us to the extent that we allow ourselves to be filled with the Spirit.
January 8, 2025
The best book I have ever read!
March 16, 2015
A wonderful bridge to more complex spiritual books which often seem out of reach. This might be a good primer for heavier works on ascetic struggle, not because is it lacking in content, but it lays a good foundation, making one more receptive to deeper works.
The condensed format (<200 pages) makes it easily readable with a busy schedule as well.
The condensed format (<200 pages) makes it easily readable with a busy schedule as well.
September 24, 2024
The concepts of vice and virtue, thinking in those terms, is relatively new to me. Learning about specific vices and virtues, what they are, and how to engage in "unseen warfare" can be really helpful.
The author pulls some of his human psychology from Theophan the Recluse. He explains what the human body, brain, heart, soul, and spirit are and what each is responsible for. I found his categories very enlightening.
He also did a great job on the conscience, that still small voice God has placed into the spirit of all mankind through His breath of life. Really good stuff.
He had some teachings on how the love of God manifests, that it only truly manifests in/through those who are in Him, that some might find too extreme. I believe Thomas Hopko would disagree with his take, but there's room for disagreement and discussion here, I think. (The heart of the question is: Can someone in the world, who is not in Christ, truly love?)
The whole book is good and edifying, but I recommend it especially for the chapter on psychology, where he breaks down the various aspects of a human and the chapter on the conscience. Those two chapters are worth the book.
The author pulls some of his human psychology from Theophan the Recluse. He explains what the human body, brain, heart, soul, and spirit are and what each is responsible for. I found his categories very enlightening.
He also did a great job on the conscience, that still small voice God has placed into the spirit of all mankind through His breath of life. Really good stuff.
He had some teachings on how the love of God manifests, that it only truly manifests in/through those who are in Him, that some might find too extreme. I believe Thomas Hopko would disagree with his take, but there's room for disagreement and discussion here, I think. (The heart of the question is: Can someone in the world, who is not in Christ, truly love?)
The whole book is good and edifying, but I recommend it especially for the chapter on psychology, where he breaks down the various aspects of a human and the chapter on the conscience. Those two chapters are worth the book.
January 1, 2024
A fine book that calls for a revival of asceticism (struggling to be virtuous) within the whole church. Averky offers a tempering voice to the claim of Bonhoeffer that monasticism led to the cheap grace of the modern era by reserving asceticism for the monastics alone. Instead, he sees the divide arising with humanism, which freed Christians from ascetic responsibility. Many of the early chapters read a tad redundant on self-asserting pride and egoism (which are critical for understanding ascetism) and his focus on the “spiritual” life and battle is primarily the inward life, and not a conflict with powers and principalities. The Holy Fathers on Combatting the Passions is the best chapter, to my mind.
August 10, 2024
This book is a great antidote for our secular and consumerist world. It starts off very strong, then it gets a little dense and redundant in the second half. Overall, however, it's still well worth the read.
May 17, 2019
I loved it. Makes for great lenten reading. Holy Archbishop Averky, pray to God for us!
October 20, 2023
As per recommendation; I had never heard of this book nor this author, but I actually enjoyed it way more than I thought I would! It's simple but powerful.
This is a collection of lectures that Archbishop Averky delivered on asceticism and how it has been lost in the modern world to detrimental results. Speaking in Europe after WWII, he aims to help the reader recapture what it means to be an ascetic and why every Christian should strive to become one, including practical steps on implementing this lifestyle into our modern life, all based off of the teachings of the ancient Church Fathers.
I really did enjoy this book a lot. It's easy to read, extremely accessible to the average person, and each chapter is bite-sized enough to be a good daily devotional reading. I loved how practical it is and how flawlessly each chapter builds on the previous one, and how well he summarizes the basic concepts found in ancient works such as the Philokalia. The writing is clear, full of depth, and it cuts straight into the heart of things in a way that's both comforting and convicting.
It is very important to remember what was going on in the world during the time the author gave these lectures. The notes help in clarifying some things, but there are concepts and phrases used that seem quite radical until you remember just how dismal things looked, especially in Russia, after WWII. There are a few things that I felt were a bit extreme and hadn't run across in other Orthodox readings before, so I think it's important to consult one's priest while reading this, just to be safe. It's also almost exclusively geared towards Orthodox Christians. I think anyone outside of that sphere might have a difficult time really grasping what he's trying to say (though it might still be worth the effort!).
Overall, if you're an Orthodox Christian, I do highly recommend this book, especially for its chapters on the inner world. It's succinct and yet powerful, and I found myself encouraged and edified throughout my reading of it. May the Archbishop's memory be eternal!
This is a collection of lectures that Archbishop Averky delivered on asceticism and how it has been lost in the modern world to detrimental results. Speaking in Europe after WWII, he aims to help the reader recapture what it means to be an ascetic and why every Christian should strive to become one, including practical steps on implementing this lifestyle into our modern life, all based off of the teachings of the ancient Church Fathers.
I really did enjoy this book a lot. It's easy to read, extremely accessible to the average person, and each chapter is bite-sized enough to be a good daily devotional reading. I loved how practical it is and how flawlessly each chapter builds on the previous one, and how well he summarizes the basic concepts found in ancient works such as the Philokalia. The writing is clear, full of depth, and it cuts straight into the heart of things in a way that's both comforting and convicting.
It is very important to remember what was going on in the world during the time the author gave these lectures. The notes help in clarifying some things, but there are concepts and phrases used that seem quite radical until you remember just how dismal things looked, especially in Russia, after WWII. There are a few things that I felt were a bit extreme and hadn't run across in other Orthodox readings before, so I think it's important to consult one's priest while reading this, just to be safe. It's also almost exclusively geared towards Orthodox Christians. I think anyone outside of that sphere might have a difficult time really grasping what he's trying to say (though it might still be worth the effort!).
Overall, if you're an Orthodox Christian, I do highly recommend this book, especially for its chapters on the inner world. It's succinct and yet powerful, and I found myself encouraged and edified throughout my reading of it. May the Archbishop's memory be eternal!
August 22, 2022
This was an incredible book! Every serious Orthodox Christian should read it. What amazed me was that the author (or rather, speaker) was so accurate in his assessment of the world. It even seemed at many points in the book that he was referring to our times, even though he was expressing these ideas many decades ago, in the post-war period (post WWII, that is). I also loved the chapter in which he discussed vices and virtues, and exactly how passions creep into our souls. That was very helpful. I can’t give enough praise to this book; I have highlights or bookmarks on literally almost every page. The entire work is a treasure. I will certainly be reading it again and again.
March 21, 2022
The Struggle for Virtue provides a very clear view on how important it is for Christians to set aside the world and it’s passions in favor of union with God. Archbishop Averky does not mince his words. He says what must be said in order to portray the importance of asceticism in our lives. This book contains some of the most challenging sayings about the Christian life while also giving a picture of the beauty that union with Christ provides.
While these lessons are important for all Christians, I particularly suggest that young adults read it.
While these lessons are important for all Christians, I particularly suggest that young adults read it.
March 13, 2024
Archbishop Averky lays out the path of Orthodox Christian asceticism and emphasizes how necessary it is to be at peace with God and one's spirit. He decribes in detail it's components but thankfully doesn't go into detail as to it's application, as it differs for each person according to his circumstances and Christian maturity. As a monastic elder he surely recognized that many of his readers would not be monastics. Nevertheless, this book challenges all to take seriously the necessity of asceticism to escape the hell of our sinful passions.
January 17, 2018
Excellent book. I learned quite a bit, and I will definitely be re-reading at a later date. However, there were times when it seemed like the author's point was dependent on a word or turn of phrase that simply didn't retain its full meaning when translated into English. Although the translator did provide some notes in such instances, which helped, I still felt that I was missing part of what was being conveyed.
June 22, 2019
Very helpful for understanding and rooting of passions
Although this is a collection of lectures and there is some overlap on content in the lectures, I found the overlap to be a good reminder. It aslo provided me with a better understanding of the struggle against sin we all have to do. This is a book I recommend to all who have converted to Orthodoxy. I will be reading this book many times.
Although this is a collection of lectures and there is some overlap on content in the lectures, I found the overlap to be a good reminder. It aslo provided me with a better understanding of the struggle against sin we all have to do. This is a book I recommend to all who have converted to Orthodoxy. I will be reading this book many times.
August 2, 2019
A primer on spiritual growth from a Russian Orthodox point of view. Includes a lot of timeless wisdom from the Fathers.
December 30, 2019
Must read!
December 26, 2020
Very important book
September 3, 2024
Very clear and easy to read introduction to asceticism. It was a perfect presentation of the spiritual life an Orthodox Christian is called to live.
July 5, 2024
Helpful. Will return to this.
March 3, 2017
Extremely relevant for struggling Christians today even though these lectures were given after the end of WWII.
July 21, 2019
As always, Russian Orthodox thought is expounded clearly and unwaveringly in Archbishop Averky. Simple, to the point, no-nonsense, the kind of thing the Ameridox lose their minds over.
There is a superb depth and clarity in the Archbishop's thinking which makes him a very valuable resource for converts in America, who are often left with very little direction by wishy-washy American priests. The venerable pastor calls out sin, lays bare the profound misery and nihilism of the degenerate modern world, and calls everyone to struggle for the good with all their hearts. His transmission of the old Imperial Russian attitudes towards things like tobacco, entertainment, and asceticism is invaluable in Orthodox circles where people feel free to live like heathens and are never taught any better.
There is a superb depth and clarity in the Archbishop's thinking which makes him a very valuable resource for converts in America, who are often left with very little direction by wishy-washy American priests. The venerable pastor calls out sin, lays bare the profound misery and nihilism of the degenerate modern world, and calls everyone to struggle for the good with all their hearts. His transmission of the old Imperial Russian attitudes towards things like tobacco, entertainment, and asceticism is invaluable in Orthodox circles where people feel free to live like heathens and are never taught any better.
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June 5, 2023His Eminence Averky Taushev destroys the libertarian free speech doctrine in this work. Also it serves as a good introduction to orthodox ascetic thought, distinguishing quite helpfully between spiritual and psychological experience. He says a true spiritual state, besides being passionless, offers no worldly sensations, unlike what music can produce which gets confused as a spiritual state by music lovers. If we take this together with what the fathers say about there being no thoughts either in this exalted state, and the spiritual being beyond the psychological (what Archbishop Averky is getting at), it is hard to see how a spiritual state could be an experience at all, no thoughts, no worldly sensations. But this is just a note to self for further research.
November 4, 2016
Great book with a lot to chew on. Asceticism is a word that, to many, has some very negative connotations but Taushev contends that many took the practice too far and unfortunately that is what stuck in the minds of many and the definition of the word. Rather, Taushev contends that the word simply means to struggle and war against sin, which all should do. He has some great thoughts about pride and ego in the first chapter, and from then on has some fantastic thoughts about evil in the world and our lives and how to combat against it.
I wish he would have gone into more detail about specific ways to fight against sin, but it's still a great starting place for warfare against sin.
I wish he would have gone into more detail about specific ways to fight against sin, but it's still a great starting place for warfare against sin.
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September 7, 2015pretty challenging, it seems some there is some debate as to the importance of asceticism for Christians today. This book made a good case for its continued value.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews