How to Live a Holy Life

by Gregory Postnikov, Gregory Postnikov, Seraphim Englehardt (Translation)

This pocket-sized book, originally published in Russian in 1904, is a short but comprehensive work offering guidance to the Christian on how to conduct himself through the course of the day. In a eminently straightforward manner the author describes how to conduct oneself in the morning, in relation to God, in common situations of life, in daily work, during meals, during the afternoon rest, in the evening, before sleep, and during sleeplessness. He concludes with a consideration of prayer and guidance and on how to spend Sundays. A biography of the author, Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg (1784-1860), concludes the work.

Genres: Spirituality, Christianity, Religion

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many Orthodox works which are translated, this book contains a brief biography on the author in it. I always find biographies both interesting and useful as they help serve as a good framework for the book. With these few pages, the reader learns not only about the author but also the audience to whom the work was written and the culture of the time. By knowing these facts, one can read the book in the proper light.

Looking at the cover and the title, one would get the impression that this book is written for religious and monastics. Each chapter in the table of contents deals with proper conduct for a Christian. I own and have read books of this nature before. Once you start getting into the heart of the book, you quickly realize that this book was written for religious or monastics but the layperson could find some value in the work. Not so for this book! Metropolitan Gregory specifically addresses husbands and wives in this book, so I was pleasantly surprised that this book was written with the laity in mind.

In addition to an explanation on how to conduct ourselves at different moments of the day (morning, afternoon, evening, etc.), the reader is also given instruction on how to conduct themselves in the common situtations of everyday life as well as in relation to God and others. I especially liked the short three page chapter on "How Should We Conduct Ourselves During Sleeplessness at Night?" I don't know about the rest of y'all, but it is an effort for me to fall asleep most nights. Prayer is of course the answer, but more specifically, we should pray for the salvation and repentance of all. It certainly beats watching the clock and stressing each hour I lose to sleeplessness.

I loved this little gem of a book, and it easily gets a 5 star rating from me. This is a book you can pick up and read through it once just to get an overall general idea on Christian conduct. However, if you want to make this book really useful in your life, you can carry it around with you and reference it when in particular situations and you need guidance. The size of this book makes the latter a viable option.

[Orkun Kumkale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good advice for Christians. Although intended for Orthodox, all denominations can find these advices beneficial for their spiritual walk. Highly recommended.

[Mike Stickles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite having been written in the mid-19th century and originally published (in Russian) in 1904, this little book is in no way outdated. Metropolitan Gregory's points on how to conduct ourselves in the various situations of life are still timely and relevant, requiring very little "translation" to apply to our current age. His main thrust is practical - do this, pray in this way, keep this in mind - although he also gives the reasoning behind his instructions, with numerous references from Scripture.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has good guidelines and suggestions but unfortunately holiness is something we cannot write down. Because traditions as we have seen throughout history can become distorted, judgmental and defeating towards others and ourselves. I do love the disciplines they share, but with those disciplines they are loaded with presuppositions and disputes in theology. I would suggest to read for some great principles that can be practiced.

[EC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book is a God send! It was a gift from Holy Cross Monastery in West Virginia. It's very personal to me because it's helped me to get through a very rough patch in my life. It's the kind of book that I go back to again and again, for that is what it's for. That's not much of a review as it is a testimony. God bless you all!!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, but made better because I read it in tandem with "The Age of Division: Christendom from the Great Schism to the Protestant Reformation" by Strickland. I think the context of its history was essential!

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intermittent fasting, cold showers, not wasting time being idle in the morning

[Ruth Eleona G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book that was easy to read and extremely impactful for my life.

[Jacob Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hard, mystifying spiritual book.

[Stefanie Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!