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Little Russian Philokalia Series #1
Little Russian Philokalia
Philokalia means, "love of the good--love of the beautiful." It was the name given to the celebrated 18th century Greek collection of Patristic texts on Christian spiritual life, teaching the path to inner sobriety and the fullness of union with God. Christian spirituality is not a retreat or escape from life. On the contrary, it is a withdrawal from the spirit of a fallen world lying in evil in order to cling to the source of life itself--Christ the true God. Because of the multitude of outstanding spiritual leaders which have existed in Russia, there have been several attempts to compile a collection from the Russian Fathers similar to that of the Greek "Philokalia." The teachings of these spiritual Fathers rest in the eternal truths and guiding principles of suffering Christianity, and their counsels are of particular value since--from that fount of eternal wisdom--they offer direction suited to the peculiarities of today's "modern age." Therefore! it is of no small importance to present the Russian Fathers of recent centuries in an anthology of ascetic texts drawn from the original sources. The LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA series serves as an intermediary with the great Fathers of the Greek Philokalia. In this respect, the humble advice offered by the holy men of the LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA series may render an inestimable service to a true seeker of salvation--a follower of Christ's narrow path of unceasing toil and humility. This, after all, was the primary purpose of the original Philokalia. One of the most beloved Orthodox saints of recent times--St. Seraphim of Sarov (1759-1833)--was a priest, hermit and spiritual guide who, in early 19th century Russia, led many souls along the path of Apostolic Christianity. The first volume of the LITTLE RUSSIAN PHILOKALIA series contains the Life of St. Seraphim, his "Spiritual Instructions to Laymen and Monks," his soul-saving conversation with Nicholas Motovilov "On the Acquisition of the Holy Spirit" (St. Seraphim's patristic teaching--equal to the ancient Church Fathers)--and his "Diveyevo Mystery"--which, until now, has never been revealed in the English language since its disclosure in 1902.
158 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 1997
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About the author
Seraphim Rose
47 books329 followersSeraphim Rose, born Eugene Dennis Rose, was a hieromonk of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in the United States, whose writings have helped spread Orthodox Christianity throughout modern America and the West. They have also been widely read in Russia. Although not formally canonized as of 2008, he is venerated by some Orthodox Christians as a saint in iconography, liturgy, and prayer.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 13, 2014
I’m still enough of an evangelical that hagiography strikes me as foreign. I don’t know what to make of it, this idea that holiness can come out from the introspective realm of spiritual instruction to impinge on historical figures and alleged historical events. Which is perhaps why this first volume of the Little Russian Philokalia, the writings of St. Seraphim, seemed progressively stranger as I read through it.
St. Seraphim lived from the middle of the eighteenth century to the early nineteenth, during which time he became one of the best-known mystics of the Russian Orthodox Church. He lived as a monk and ascetic in the Sarov Monastery in eastern Russia (a city known today as being the center of the Russian nuclear industry). This volume collects the saint’s “Spiritual Instructions” and “Acquisition of the Holy Spirit” as well as an account of the rediscovery and return of his relics.
I found the first portion of the book, the “Spiritual Instructions,” the most accessible. They provided, as I had hoped, some challenging and focusing readings for Lent. Similar to The Practice of the Presence of God, The Imitation of Christ, or other classic works of Christian instruction, these are the sorts of words it seems necessary to always have on tap as a Christian reader. The concise, clear, sharp challenges that, if maybe I let them wash against me constantly like a stream against stone, might actually do some good. How to be silent. How to be generous. How to cultivate a true love of God and others. St. Seraphim's instructions were also useful because they could provide an avenue into the writings of other Orthodox fathers, as he intersperses them with the words of older saints as well as scripture.
In the second portion of the book I was on less familiar ground, taking the first steps into the thick, alien forest of Russian hagiography. This portion, the “Acquisition of the Holy Spirit,” is a conversation purported to have taken place between the saint and one of his disciples, recorded and only found years later in the days leading up to St. Seraphim’s canonization. Here my cynicism begins to raise its head a bit as the author of the spiritual instructions becomes move into the historical narrative. Because historical figures are always notoriously human, and when they’re not, when they’re portrayed as somehow otherworldly beings, I don’t quite know what to make of it. Several hundred years ago is one thing; the 1830s is something else.
Finally, the volume concludes with (again, to my post-evangelical, Western sensibilities) the strangest and yet most compelling portion of the story. Strange in the sense that here we’re fully in the realm of hagiography, with a dash of apocalyptic prophecy thrown in for good measure. Compelling in the glimpse it provides into the sudden and tragic destruction of the religious heritage of Orthodox Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution and its slow and fitful rebirth in the closing decades of the twentieth century. St. Seraphim’s relics are recovered and returned to Sarov, where a church is rebuilt to receive him. Pilgrims flock to the procession. Miracles ensue. What to make of it all?
The paradox is that sanctity, the idea that holiness can truly intrude into the world in very real and tangible circumstances, remains for me one of the most viable arguments for the pursuit of the Christian life. And the first portion of this book illustrates to me the appeal: that a life pursued in humility, love, and devotion is possible. Yet if there are people who truly embody this, as St. Seraphim was reported to, why is it so hard to accept that the results that follow might be the sort of miracles and happenings outlined in the third part? We want our saints at a safe distance, their words coming down to us through the filter of the centuries. It's harder to deal with them otherwise.
St. Seraphim lived from the middle of the eighteenth century to the early nineteenth, during which time he became one of the best-known mystics of the Russian Orthodox Church. He lived as a monk and ascetic in the Sarov Monastery in eastern Russia (a city known today as being the center of the Russian nuclear industry). This volume collects the saint’s “Spiritual Instructions” and “Acquisition of the Holy Spirit” as well as an account of the rediscovery and return of his relics.
I found the first portion of the book, the “Spiritual Instructions,” the most accessible. They provided, as I had hoped, some challenging and focusing readings for Lent. Similar to The Practice of the Presence of God, The Imitation of Christ, or other classic works of Christian instruction, these are the sorts of words it seems necessary to always have on tap as a Christian reader. The concise, clear, sharp challenges that, if maybe I let them wash against me constantly like a stream against stone, might actually do some good. How to be silent. How to be generous. How to cultivate a true love of God and others. St. Seraphim's instructions were also useful because they could provide an avenue into the writings of other Orthodox fathers, as he intersperses them with the words of older saints as well as scripture.
In the second portion of the book I was on less familiar ground, taking the first steps into the thick, alien forest of Russian hagiography. This portion, the “Acquisition of the Holy Spirit,” is a conversation purported to have taken place between the saint and one of his disciples, recorded and only found years later in the days leading up to St. Seraphim’s canonization. Here my cynicism begins to raise its head a bit as the author of the spiritual instructions becomes move into the historical narrative. Because historical figures are always notoriously human, and when they’re not, when they’re portrayed as somehow otherworldly beings, I don’t quite know what to make of it. Several hundred years ago is one thing; the 1830s is something else.
Finally, the volume concludes with (again, to my post-evangelical, Western sensibilities) the strangest and yet most compelling portion of the story. Strange in the sense that here we’re fully in the realm of hagiography, with a dash of apocalyptic prophecy thrown in for good measure. Compelling in the glimpse it provides into the sudden and tragic destruction of the religious heritage of Orthodox Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution and its slow and fitful rebirth in the closing decades of the twentieth century. St. Seraphim’s relics are recovered and returned to Sarov, where a church is rebuilt to receive him. Pilgrims flock to the procession. Miracles ensue. What to make of it all?
The paradox is that sanctity, the idea that holiness can truly intrude into the world in very real and tangible circumstances, remains for me one of the most viable arguments for the pursuit of the Christian life. And the first portion of this book illustrates to me the appeal: that a life pursued in humility, love, and devotion is possible. Yet if there are people who truly embody this, as St. Seraphim was reported to, why is it so hard to accept that the results that follow might be the sort of miracles and happenings outlined in the third part? We want our saints at a safe distance, their words coming down to us through the filter of the centuries. It's harder to deal with them otherwise.
October 13, 2013
A brief life of St Seraphim of Sarov. Mostly well-written with some excerpts of Sarov's writings at the end. There is the famous scene where he is surrounded by light with one of his acolytes and keeps urging him to "acquire the Holy Spirit."
Also worth noting are they Diveyvo prophecies, so-called. I have no comment.
Analysis and Conclusion:
Contrary to World Orthodoxy, Seraphim Rose has accurately and correctly read the Russian fathers. Those who disagree with him bear the burden of proof. I am troubled by Sarov's statement, "Acquire the Holy Spirit." It sounds a lot like Pelagianism and works-salvation and ignores the New Testament texts which speak of the Spirit as our down-payment, sealing, and earnest.
This book might be nice piety and I can't deny that I really enjoyed some parts of it. It is woefully lacking, though, in New Testament analysis.
Also worth noting are they Diveyvo prophecies, so-called. I have no comment.
Analysis and Conclusion:
Contrary to World Orthodoxy, Seraphim Rose has accurately and correctly read the Russian fathers. Those who disagree with him bear the burden of proof. I am troubled by Sarov's statement, "Acquire the Holy Spirit." It sounds a lot like Pelagianism and works-salvation and ignores the New Testament texts which speak of the Spirit as our down-payment, sealing, and earnest.
This book might be nice piety and I can't deny that I really enjoyed some parts of it. It is woefully lacking, though, in New Testament analysis.
April 19, 2017
A must read for anyone who has a devotion to St. Seraphim of Sarov.
July 17, 2015
I love the teachings of St. Seraphim and this book presented the. In an easily understood way--with excellent translation to English.
January 28, 2019
It's worthwhile to pause over anything to do with St. Seraphim of Sarov. The closer one comes to him in this book, the more one loves the book for bringing him near.
However, there isn't as much St. Seraphim to make this seem a real philokalia. The excerpts directly from him are lovely. The second-person narratives are also moving, once St. Seraphim arrives at least. I was very taken aback by how much St. Seraphim stressed the importance of acquiring the Holy Spirit. Sometimes all the examinations of conscience and failures of the church in the world make faith seem almost an undertaking in masochism. Yes, one remembers St. Paul exhorting us to joy. The message is always there. But we live in a world so bombarded with noise and overstimulation that finding the silence to "acquire the Holy Spirit" seems impossible. St. Seraphim is not so far removed from us in time; then again, his world was far more similar to St. Paul's than ours. Still, the fact that he puts that joy and peace front and center, not elsewhere but here, is a great reminder to help any reader.
The rest of the book mainly deals with what happened to his relics, the fate of the monastery under the Communists, the torture and murder of so many... it's sad, as one expects. Even the Sarov forest of birch and ancient pine is forever changed by Soviet industrialization. Well, St. Seraphim's words endure.
However, there isn't as much St. Seraphim to make this seem a real philokalia. The excerpts directly from him are lovely. The second-person narratives are also moving, once St. Seraphim arrives at least. I was very taken aback by how much St. Seraphim stressed the importance of acquiring the Holy Spirit. Sometimes all the examinations of conscience and failures of the church in the world make faith seem almost an undertaking in masochism. Yes, one remembers St. Paul exhorting us to joy. The message is always there. But we live in a world so bombarded with noise and overstimulation that finding the silence to "acquire the Holy Spirit" seems impossible. St. Seraphim is not so far removed from us in time; then again, his world was far more similar to St. Paul's than ours. Still, the fact that he puts that joy and peace front and center, not elsewhere but here, is a great reminder to help any reader.
The rest of the book mainly deals with what happened to his relics, the fate of the monastery under the Communists, the torture and murder of so many... it's sad, as one expects. Even the Sarov forest of birch and ancient pine is forever changed by Soviet industrialization. Well, St. Seraphim's words endure.
August 21, 2021
Very good book. I particularly liked Part I - Spiritual instructions, which allowed me to look deeper into my life, actions and open my eyes to the reason why I sometimes do certain things, why I feel a certain way at times and how to become better. Also, I did appreciate the passage of Our Most Holy Theotokos and how She helps us, sinners, against demons. The appendix about the Russian Revolution was good, a part of history very relevant to our current days.
January 15, 2023
A nourishing read for the soul.
It is very suitable for a layperson in that there are few 'monastic-specific' sayings.
Contains 3 different sections: short sayings and teachings of St Seraphim on multiple topics, a conversation on acquiring and seeing the Holy Spirit, and some historical texts about the convent and such after his death.
It is very suitable for a layperson in that there are few 'monastic-specific' sayings.
Contains 3 different sections: short sayings and teachings of St Seraphim on multiple topics, a conversation on acquiring and seeing the Holy Spirit, and some historical texts about the convent and such after his death.
January 3, 2025
Lots of great stuff including his famous encounter with Motovilov, which was great. The beginning part with spiritual instructions was also very good. The end of the book centered more on Seraphim’s legacy after reposing, specifically on his Relics and the Monastery’s effected by him. Overall good book on a very righteous man.
January 25, 2025
Yet again, another book I will return to frequently for the profound wisdom of St. Seraphim of Sarov, preserved by the St. Herman Brotherhood. St. Seraphim’s warmth emanates from the words in this book in a way that both edified me and inspired me to deepen my prayer.
February 24, 2020
Loved this, gave it away, wish I had it sometimes, may order another cooy. +
March 15, 2021
Classic of Russian orthodox Spirituality. Essential to understanding Dostoevsky.
March 20, 2023
Wisdom for the journey.
January 28, 2015
focus on pre-Bolshevik saint in Russia who experienced prophecy and spiritual ecstasy. St Seraphim also demonstrates and explains how others can "acquire the Holy Spirit", which is the aim of the Christian life.
October 20, 2008
Simple, straight forward, spiritual wisdom from St. Seraphim of Sarov, one of the most beloved saints of 19th Century.
April 28, 2010
I've only read snippets from this work and am planning finishing it this year.
Read
January 14, 2015Something to revisit over and over again. A true wellspring of wisdom.
October 28, 2015
difficult
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews