The Church At Prayer

by Aimilianos of Simonopetra

Archimandrite Aimilianos of SimonopetraPublished Sebastian PressMany readers of the addresses of Elder Aimilianos, which have been published in the five-volume series, Archimandrite Aimilianos, Spiritual Instructions and Discourses (Ormylia, 1998-2003), have frequently expressed the wish for an abridged and more accessible form of his teaching. In response, we are happy to inaugurate a new series of publications incorporating key texts from the above-mentioned collection. Other considerations have also contributed o this new project, such as the selection of specific texts which address important, contemporary questions; the need for a smaller, more reader-friendly publication format; and the necessity for editing certain passages in need of clarification, without however altering their basic 978-1-936773-06-0 2012Number of 126, softboundAbove all, the works collected in this volume reflect the importance which the Elder consistently attached to prayer, spirituality, community life, worship, and liturgy. English

Genres: Christianity

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2012

About the author

Aimilianos of Simonopetra, titled as Elder and Archimandrite, was the abbot of Simonopetra Monastery from 1974 to 2000. As a young monk, Elder Aimilianos looked forward to a career as a foreign missionary. Assigned to a monastery, the Elder experienced a spiritual crisis from which he emerged a man, supremely energized, and dedicated to revitalization of monastic life.

Reviews

[Dylan Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love.

[Silouan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You know that people who do not know how to pray are, in reality, good for nothing. There's no chance that they will succeed in life.
Even if they are monks, they will remain earthly people and never become heavenly; they will never become angels, because they do not know how to read the map or navigate the ship of prayer.
As you yourselves feel, the harm that befalls us if we do not know how to pray is incalculable. Incalculable! It is the only harm from which we suffer. There is no catastrophe that can compare with it. If all the stars and all the planets were to collide with one another, and the universe to shatter into smithereens, the damage would be far less than that which befalls us if we don't know how to pray. It follows then that, where there is spiritual ignorance, we are in immediate and definitive danger.”

[Roman Riselvato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emilianos of Simonopetra pray for us first and foremost, the way this spiritual father and abbot of Simonopetra monastery from 1974 to 2000 and died 2019. Was well spoken and always very gracious and easy to understand these small sermons give hope and enlightenment to Christ's only church and how to live accordingly to God's logos for the 21st century human with all the different problems we are dealing with. Highly recommend you dive deep with me on this one.

[John R McVey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Theological Insights

The insights provided, though delived as sermons for monks, resonate deeply for the lay person. This book delivers insightful message after message building upon itself a crescendo of spiritual truths that help illumine for monk and lay person alike the path God-ward.

[RW Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christianity is a sacramental way of life

A most edifying book for an orthodox Christian to take to heart. The style of writing is beautiful and filled with meaning. I especially liked the chapter of living life as a martyr.

[jes olga alspach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such beautiful wisdom from the beloved Elder Aimilianos!! Pray for us! There was one part in his first letter that really had me stumped… I’d at least advise, as always, to consult your spiritual father on anything odd or that you don’t understand. Otherwise: beautiful book.

[Starboy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the part about Monastics. Most of what to look for in a wife is shaky some relevant some not. But the Monks part was the highlight of the book. ☦️

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciated other books about Aimilianos' teachings more than this one. He does talk about marriage. His views would be considered antiquarian for sure. He says all females need to know how to sow. He hasn't quite understood how much society has changed - women with college degrees and careers, and few people sew anything today as mending clothes is rarely done. His teachings are strongly monastic - a monk speaking from that perspective and often to monks even when he is addressing non-monastic issues. Monks are the models which even the secular people should follow.