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Récits d'un pèlerin russe
La celebre storia, summa della spiritualità cristiano orientale.
Uno dei testi più ammalianti della storia mondiale della letteratura, una summa della spiritualità cristiano orientale ambientato nell'atmosfera narrativa fiabesca e sacrale della Santa Russia. La celebre storia del pellegrino deciso a scoprire il significato di tre parole misteriose, contenenti un comando dolcemente imperioso. Accompagnato dalla Filocalia dei padri antichi e da una logora bisaccia, il pellegrino intraprende un lungo viaggio attraverso steppe, boschi e villaggi per trovare risposta. Il testo è precededuto da due ampie introduzioni sul significato (Thomas Spidlik) e sulla storia (Aleksej Pentkovskij) del testo.
Uno dei testi più ammalianti della storia mondiale della letteratura, una summa della spiritualità cristiano orientale ambientato nell'atmosfera narrativa fiabesca e sacrale della Santa Russia. La celebre storia del pellegrino deciso a scoprire il significato di tre parole misteriose, contenenti un comando dolcemente imperioso. Accompagnato dalla Filocalia dei padri antichi e da una logora bisaccia, il pellegrino intraprende un lungo viaggio attraverso steppe, boschi e villaggi per trovare risposta. Il testo è precededuto da due ampie introduzioni sul significato (Thomas Spidlik) e sulla storia (Aleksej Pentkovskij) del testo.
184 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1881
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* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
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May 23, 2025
A Prayer For The Heart
I have read books on spirituality from many religious traditions, but I had never read "The Way of a Pilgrim", an anonymous work from the middle or late 19th Century in the Russian Orthodox tradition. I came to the book by way of J.D. Salinger's "Franny and Zooey" which I also had the opportunity to read of late. For those readers unfamiliar with it, Salinger's book consists of two interrelated short stories which center on two precocious young people, Franny Glass, 20, and her brother, Zooey Glass, 25. Franny is spending a college football weekend with her boyfriend, Lane. The weekend comes to disaster because Franny is preoccupied with reading "The Way of a Pilgrim". She discusses the book with Lane, who is uninterested. In the second story, Franny is at home in New York City after the weekend and appears on the verge of nervous collapse. Her brother Zooey engages her in a pair of conversations which center upon Franny's reading of "The Way of the Pilgrim," Zooey tries to get his sister, and himself, to understand the book. He also tries to get Franny to move ahead with her life rather than to self-destruct.
I was fascinated by Salinger's treatment of and obvious affection for "The Way of a Pilgrim" and read it immediately upon finishing "Franny and Zooey". The book that came to hand was an edition published in 1996 translated by Olga Savin with an Foreword by the famous American Russian Orthodox priest, Father Thomas Hopko. There is a latter edition of "The Way of a Pilgrim" which also includes the successor volume "A Pilgrim Continues on his Way" translated by Savin, The Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues on His Way (Shambhala Classics) that remains in print. I did not read that edition.
Probably most secular American readers come to "The Way of a Pilgrim" from reading Salinger. It is very valuable to study the book from the outside, so to speak, as with other religious books. It is also important to remember, as Father Hopko reminds the reader, that the book is also part of a specific religious heritage.
"The Way of a Pilgrim" is a short book told in four brief chapters called Narratives. It is told in the first person by a wanderer through Russia of peasant background and with a withered arm. The reader learns something of his history only gradually, mostly in the Third Narrative of the book. At the age of 20, after the death of his wife, the narrator is attending a church service where he hears the reading of Thessalonians with the text "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thess. 5:17) He begins to wander in search of someone who can explain prayer to him. After some false leads, the narrator meets an elderly monk, a starets, who shows him how to recite the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me" and gives him some instruction to deepen his understanding. The starets also advises the pilgrim to study an early collection called the "Philokalia" which consists of mystical and ascetical writing of early Fathers of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The nameless pilgrim wanders throughout Russia reciting the Jesus Prayer, reading the Philokalia, and internalizing his spiritual understanding. He begins his wanderings at age 20 and recounts his story to his Spiritual Father at age 33 while he is trying to secure passage to Jerusalem. He tells the reader of his deepening understanding of the Jesus prayer during his wandering, mendicant life.
Most people love stories, and "The Way of a Pilgrim" includes many. The wanderer meets many people during his journey, and makes stops along the way to perform work for brief times that he can do consistently with maintaining his spiritual practice. He meets people good and bad, criminals who try to rob him, a young girl fleeing from a proposed arranged marriage, priests, other wanderers, clerks, and many others. Many of these people have their own stories to tell of their spiritual lives. The wanderer receives instruction from some about the Jesus Prayer and ultimately instructs others.
In "Franny and Zooey" , Franny recounts at some length (p. 34), the part of "The Way of a Pilgrim" which most impressed her. It is a long section late in the book in which some small children invite the wanderer to their home, telling him (in the Salinger) that "You must come home to Mummy. She likes beggars.") The wanderer goes to the home where he is warmly received by the children's mother and father and learns their stories. The pilgrim is invited to dinner, which is attended by a number of other people who turn out to be servants of the family, described by the husband as "sisters in Christ." Franny observes that "I mean I loved the pilgrim wanting to know who all the ladies were." (p.34, Salinger)
A portion of the book I liked occurs somewhat later, with the same people, when the pilgrim is having dinner with the family and with a priest following a service. The priest recounts the mundane chores he needs to perform, tending the farm and his children, and how he lacks time for study. The pilgrim momentarily feels sorry for him until the wife tells him that "Father speaks this way from humility. He always humbles himself, but he is righteous and the kindest of men. He has been a widower for twenty years now and has been raising a whole family of grandchildren, as well as serving frequent services in church." The narrator then remembers the following teaching from the Philokalia:
"He who has attained to genuine prayer and love no longer puts things into categories. He does not separate the righteous from the sinners, but loves all equally and does not judge them, just as God gives the sun to shine and the rain to fall both on the just and the unjust."
I was pleased that Salinger's book led me to "The Way of a Pilgrim". I learned from the book. I can understand why Salinger paid such great attention to it in "Franny and Zooey".
Robin Friedman
I have read books on spirituality from many religious traditions, but I had never read "The Way of a Pilgrim", an anonymous work from the middle or late 19th Century in the Russian Orthodox tradition. I came to the book by way of J.D. Salinger's "Franny and Zooey" which I also had the opportunity to read of late. For those readers unfamiliar with it, Salinger's book consists of two interrelated short stories which center on two precocious young people, Franny Glass, 20, and her brother, Zooey Glass, 25. Franny is spending a college football weekend with her boyfriend, Lane. The weekend comes to disaster because Franny is preoccupied with reading "The Way of a Pilgrim". She discusses the book with Lane, who is uninterested. In the second story, Franny is at home in New York City after the weekend and appears on the verge of nervous collapse. Her brother Zooey engages her in a pair of conversations which center upon Franny's reading of "The Way of the Pilgrim," Zooey tries to get his sister, and himself, to understand the book. He also tries to get Franny to move ahead with her life rather than to self-destruct.
I was fascinated by Salinger's treatment of and obvious affection for "The Way of a Pilgrim" and read it immediately upon finishing "Franny and Zooey". The book that came to hand was an edition published in 1996 translated by Olga Savin with an Foreword by the famous American Russian Orthodox priest, Father Thomas Hopko. There is a latter edition of "The Way of a Pilgrim" which also includes the successor volume "A Pilgrim Continues on his Way" translated by Savin, The Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues on His Way (Shambhala Classics) that remains in print. I did not read that edition.
Probably most secular American readers come to "The Way of a Pilgrim" from reading Salinger. It is very valuable to study the book from the outside, so to speak, as with other religious books. It is also important to remember, as Father Hopko reminds the reader, that the book is also part of a specific religious heritage.
"The Way of a Pilgrim" is a short book told in four brief chapters called Narratives. It is told in the first person by a wanderer through Russia of peasant background and with a withered arm. The reader learns something of his history only gradually, mostly in the Third Narrative of the book. At the age of 20, after the death of his wife, the narrator is attending a church service where he hears the reading of Thessalonians with the text "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thess. 5:17) He begins to wander in search of someone who can explain prayer to him. After some false leads, the narrator meets an elderly monk, a starets, who shows him how to recite the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me" and gives him some instruction to deepen his understanding. The starets also advises the pilgrim to study an early collection called the "Philokalia" which consists of mystical and ascetical writing of early Fathers of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The nameless pilgrim wanders throughout Russia reciting the Jesus Prayer, reading the Philokalia, and internalizing his spiritual understanding. He begins his wanderings at age 20 and recounts his story to his Spiritual Father at age 33 while he is trying to secure passage to Jerusalem. He tells the reader of his deepening understanding of the Jesus prayer during his wandering, mendicant life.
Most people love stories, and "The Way of a Pilgrim" includes many. The wanderer meets many people during his journey, and makes stops along the way to perform work for brief times that he can do consistently with maintaining his spiritual practice. He meets people good and bad, criminals who try to rob him, a young girl fleeing from a proposed arranged marriage, priests, other wanderers, clerks, and many others. Many of these people have their own stories to tell of their spiritual lives. The wanderer receives instruction from some about the Jesus Prayer and ultimately instructs others.
In "Franny and Zooey" , Franny recounts at some length (p. 34), the part of "The Way of a Pilgrim" which most impressed her. It is a long section late in the book in which some small children invite the wanderer to their home, telling him (in the Salinger) that "You must come home to Mummy. She likes beggars.") The wanderer goes to the home where he is warmly received by the children's mother and father and learns their stories. The pilgrim is invited to dinner, which is attended by a number of other people who turn out to be servants of the family, described by the husband as "sisters in Christ." Franny observes that "I mean I loved the pilgrim wanting to know who all the ladies were." (p.34, Salinger)
A portion of the book I liked occurs somewhat later, with the same people, when the pilgrim is having dinner with the family and with a priest following a service. The priest recounts the mundane chores he needs to perform, tending the farm and his children, and how he lacks time for study. The pilgrim momentarily feels sorry for him until the wife tells him that "Father speaks this way from humility. He always humbles himself, but he is righteous and the kindest of men. He has been a widower for twenty years now and has been raising a whole family of grandchildren, as well as serving frequent services in church." The narrator then remembers the following teaching from the Philokalia:
"He who has attained to genuine prayer and love no longer puts things into categories. He does not separate the righteous from the sinners, but loves all equally and does not judge them, just as God gives the sun to shine and the rain to fall both on the just and the unjust."
I was pleased that Salinger's book led me to "The Way of a Pilgrim". I learned from the book. I can understand why Salinger paid such great attention to it in "Franny and Zooey".
Robin Friedman
June 8, 2015
This is a story of a wanderer practicing the Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (other forms also exist)) while wandering around Russia during the last days of serfdom under the rule of Nicholas I. The book was first printed in 1884, but had already been written down earlier by someone who had known the original person but was better at writing the story down well.
There are stories within the main story; the wanderer meets people, both pious and not so, criminal and devout, rich and very poor. He clearly enjoys solitude more, especially because of his prayer practice, and frequently reads his Bible and the Philocalia collection, which I have also read.
A good travel story, a good addition to knowing the Jesus Prayer and a quick read. I enjoyed it.
There are stories within the main story; the wanderer meets people, both pious and not so, criminal and devout, rich and very poor. He clearly enjoys solitude more, especially because of his prayer practice, and frequently reads his Bible and the Philocalia collection, which I have also read.
A good travel story, a good addition to knowing the Jesus Prayer and a quick read. I enjoyed it.
August 29, 2013
This little book largely serves as my mine and my husband's memorable introduction to all things having to do with the Orthodox Christian faith. What a wondrous door has been opened to us! I highly recommend this book to all Christians, not just those exploring Orthodoxy. It takes place in 19th century Czarist Russia and follows the adventures of a homeless, yet joyful Christian pilgrim. His all consuming goal is the learning of continuous prayer.
In this book we were introduced to a very simple, yet powerful prayer and method of helping oneself to "pray without ceasing", as the Apostle Paul instructs. The prayer is called the Jesus Prayer, and it is simply, "Jesus Christ, have mercy on me." I will say that for my husband, this little prayer has set him on a road he never thought he would be on. In our use of this prayer, God has begun very visibly leading the both of us and actually supernaturally guided my husband to add first "a sinner" to the end of this prayer, and later "Son of God" to the middle of it. The really interesting thing about that is that AFTER he listened, heard, and obediently added these phrases we "randomly" came across other Orthodox books which spoke of this prayer WITH those very phrases added in as a longer version. Not only that, but he came upon the two page discussion of this prayer in another book through a first time random opening to a page and there it was!
In addition to learning about a method of achieving constant interior prayer of the heart, we get to see Christian community in pre-Communist Russia, and that made me feel somewhat sad, being an omniscient observer of sorts, to this story; knowing about the terrible persecution of Christians to come less than a century after these events.
The other uplifting thing about this story to me, is that it comforted me about the plight of the homeless; reminding me that even that humble condition is not the hopeless end of the world. Even then, how one experiences life largely has to do with the state of the garden of the soul. In this book, our pilgrim, once he learns a good habit of interior prayer, journeys on with nothing but some crusts of bread, a jar of water, his Bible, and his copy of "The Philokalia" (A compilation of Orthodox teachings on prayer and mystical life with God) and experiences joy and peace continually.
In this book we were introduced to a very simple, yet powerful prayer and method of helping oneself to "pray without ceasing", as the Apostle Paul instructs. The prayer is called the Jesus Prayer, and it is simply, "Jesus Christ, have mercy on me." I will say that for my husband, this little prayer has set him on a road he never thought he would be on. In our use of this prayer, God has begun very visibly leading the both of us and actually supernaturally guided my husband to add first "a sinner" to the end of this prayer, and later "Son of God" to the middle of it. The really interesting thing about that is that AFTER he listened, heard, and obediently added these phrases we "randomly" came across other Orthodox books which spoke of this prayer WITH those very phrases added in as a longer version. Not only that, but he came upon the two page discussion of this prayer in another book through a first time random opening to a page and there it was!
In addition to learning about a method of achieving constant interior prayer of the heart, we get to see Christian community in pre-Communist Russia, and that made me feel somewhat sad, being an omniscient observer of sorts, to this story; knowing about the terrible persecution of Christians to come less than a century after these events.
The other uplifting thing about this story to me, is that it comforted me about the plight of the homeless; reminding me that even that humble condition is not the hopeless end of the world. Even then, how one experiences life largely has to do with the state of the garden of the soul. In this book, our pilgrim, once he learns a good habit of interior prayer, journeys on with nothing but some crusts of bread, a jar of water, his Bible, and his copy of "The Philokalia" (A compilation of Orthodox teachings on prayer and mystical life with God) and experiences joy and peace continually.
August 15, 2023
Am citit-o cu mulți ani în urmă, poate vreo 15-20, dar îmi amintesc cât de mult m-a marcat. Este o lecție despre simplitatea și profunzimea rugăciunii inimii.
Două episoade mi-au rămas în minte. Cizmulițele roșii aruncate în foc și așezarea în sicriu/ladă în așteptarea morții. Aroganța și smerenia.
Mi-ar plăcea să o recitesc, cu mintea de acum.
Două episoade mi-au rămas în minte. Cizmulițele roșii aruncate în foc și așezarea în sicriu/ladă în așteptarea morții. Aroganța și smerenia.
Mi-ar plăcea să o recitesc, cu mintea de acum.
July 17, 2021
El Peregrino Ruso es un conjunto de siete relatos donde el protagonista recorre la fría estepa rusa estableciendo conversaciones espirituales con diversos estamentos de la sociedad del siglo XIX. Durante la peregrinación relata su trágica vida de manera autobiográfica: pierde sus posesiones en un incendio y después a su mujer en un suceso similar a la actual pandemia por coronavirus. El protagonista regala lo poco que le queda y se dedica a peregrinar por la Santa Rusia para sobrevivir el duelo. Objetivo: comprender la
Oración Interior
como terapia para el desapego de lo material y la libertad interior.
Hay una dimensión oculta en la oración que trasciende las palabras y la sincroniza con el cuerpo hasta lo más profundo del alma. Una serie de técnicas ascéticas - meditación hesicasta - consiguen el acompasamiento de la oración con la respiración y los latidos del corazón. De esta manera, no sólo la voz sino todo el ser alaban a Dios, orientando la existencia hacia Él. Para los primeros Cristianos, "Señor, ten piedad" es la frase que resume el Evangelio. ¿Qué sentido tiene la repetición mecánica de esta jaculatoria? Según los Padres de la Iglesia, la invocación del Nombre de Jesús tiene fuerza por sí misma. Como todo fruto espiritual, los resultados no son visibles, se traducen en cambios interiores: añades a tu vida un grado de contemplación que evita el apego a lo material, concentración, serenidad, paciencia y aguante ante las dificultades.
Las devociones católicas están íntimamente ligadas a la tradición oriental: la Divina Misericordia de Santa Faustina Kowalska, el Sagrado Corazón de Margarita María de Alacoque , la mística de Santa Teresa de Jesús y de San Agustín. También con las enseñanzas a los 3 pastorcillos del Ángel de Portugal en Fátima en 1916. Por último cabe mencionar que este libro te abre las puertas a otros grandes clásicos de la espiritualidad Cristiana oriental como: Poustinia: Encountering God in Silence, Solitude and Prayer, The Philokalia, The History of the Church: From Christ to Constantine de Eusebius.
Hay una dimensión oculta en la oración que trasciende las palabras y la sincroniza con el cuerpo hasta lo más profundo del alma. Una serie de técnicas ascéticas - meditación hesicasta - consiguen el acompasamiento de la oración con la respiración y los latidos del corazón. De esta manera, no sólo la voz sino todo el ser alaban a Dios, orientando la existencia hacia Él. Para los primeros Cristianos, "Señor, ten piedad" es la frase que resume el Evangelio. ¿Qué sentido tiene la repetición mecánica de esta jaculatoria? Según los Padres de la Iglesia, la invocación del Nombre de Jesús tiene fuerza por sí misma. Como todo fruto espiritual, los resultados no son visibles, se traducen en cambios interiores: añades a tu vida un grado de contemplación que evita el apego a lo material, concentración, serenidad, paciencia y aguante ante las dificultades.
Las devociones católicas están íntimamente ligadas a la tradición oriental: la Divina Misericordia de Santa Faustina Kowalska, el Sagrado Corazón de Margarita María de Alacoque , la mística de Santa Teresa de Jesús y de San Agustín. También con las enseñanzas a los 3 pastorcillos del Ángel de Portugal en Fátima en 1916. Por último cabe mencionar que este libro te abre las puertas a otros grandes clásicos de la espiritualidad Cristiana oriental como: Poustinia: Encountering God in Silence, Solitude and Prayer, The Philokalia, The History of the Church: From Christ to Constantine de Eusebius.
July 8, 2021
Con l’introduzione di Cristina Campo: portentosa, ebbra e stupefatta come l'orante che si avventura nella preghiera del Nome.
April 19, 2024
"By the grace of God I am a Christian man, by my own actions a great sinner, and by calling a homeless wanderer of the humblest origins, roaming from place to place. My worldly belongings consist of a knapsack on my back, containing some dried bread, and a Holy Bible in my breast pocket. That is all."
The first line of the book sets the tone and boy is this a beautiful journey. Join the pilgrim as he embarks on the great journey of salvation; the knowledge of God's love, the experience of that love, and the sharing of that love with others. Through the Holy Scriptures, the companionship of friends (and enemies!), the hardships of life, good priests and spiritual directors, the depths of our own sin, and "the prayer of the heart, the Pilgrim brings us along with him, but we also recognize we are pilgrims on the journey. The Way of a Pilgrim should be our way.
The Way of the Pilgrim is this, constantly calling on God's mercy at each moment of the day:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Such a simple prayer, but it is the heart of the Christian life. This is "the prayer of the heart", the Jesus Prayer. This is my favorite prayer, I will talk about it for hours. I cannot say enough about this book. Please read it. This review is long enough but good gracious there is so much in this book.
Topics the Pilgrim covers:
-Can we "pray unceasingly" as St. Paul instructs? If so, how?
-The prayer of the heart
-the beauty of the Liturgy
-the beauty of the Bible
-how to make a good confession
-the ascetical life
-the goodness of holy marriage
-philosophy
-the love of God
I have many quotes from the book if you are curious! Also the book does a good job at responding to potential criticism because it is a book mainly of dialogue between characters. So all those topics above are addressed in conversation style where the characters push back against each other.
Top five favorite books of all time. I love it. I will be reading it for the rest of my life.
The first line of the book sets the tone and boy is this a beautiful journey. Join the pilgrim as he embarks on the great journey of salvation; the knowledge of God's love, the experience of that love, and the sharing of that love with others. Through the Holy Scriptures, the companionship of friends (and enemies!), the hardships of life, good priests and spiritual directors, the depths of our own sin, and "the prayer of the heart, the Pilgrim brings us along with him, but we also recognize we are pilgrims on the journey. The Way of a Pilgrim should be our way.
The Way of the Pilgrim is this, constantly calling on God's mercy at each moment of the day:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Such a simple prayer, but it is the heart of the Christian life. This is "the prayer of the heart", the Jesus Prayer. This is my favorite prayer, I will talk about it for hours. I cannot say enough about this book. Please read it. This review is long enough but good gracious there is so much in this book.
Topics the Pilgrim covers:
-Can we "pray unceasingly" as St. Paul instructs? If so, how?
-The prayer of the heart
-the beauty of the Liturgy
-the beauty of the Bible
-how to make a good confession
-the ascetical life
-the goodness of holy marriage
-philosophy
-the love of God
I have many quotes from the book if you are curious! Also the book does a good job at responding to potential criticism because it is a book mainly of dialogue between characters. So all those topics above are addressed in conversation style where the characters push back against each other.
Top five favorite books of all time. I love it. I will be reading it for the rest of my life.
January 27, 2013
Cel puţin superbă. De citit şi de recitit după câţiva ani.
February 11, 2019
Semplicemente meraviglioso.
December 27, 2020
Este a doua oara cand citesc aceasta carte si cred ca poate fi, si merita, citita inca o data. Am descoperit noi sensuri, pe care le-am omis prima data. Nu stiu daca tine de recitire, sau de setea cu care este citita o carte, sau put si simplu de cat de pregatit esti sa primesti anumite informatii pe care le cauti. Recomand cu multa caldura! Rugaciunea este singura care ne poate schimba! Singurul lucru care tine de noi este cantitatea!
July 12, 2015
Aceasta carte e hrana pentru suflet.
Want to read
June 18, 2023Zach says read this.
January 8, 2022
Din mila lui Dumnezeu sunt creştin, după fapte, un mare păcătos, iar după starea socială, un pelerin fără adăpost, care umblă din loc în loc. Toată averea mea este o traistă cu posmagi, iar în sân am Sfânta Biblie. Asta-i tot ce am.
În săptămâna a 32-a după Rusalii, am ajuns la biserică, să mă rog. Se citea Apostolul, din Epistola către Tesaloniceni, în care se spune: „Rugaţi-vă neîncetat!” (I Tes. 5, 17). Aceste cuvinte s-au întipărit în chip deosebit în mintea mea şi am început să mă gândesc cum s-ar putea să te rogi neîncetat, când fiecare om are neapărat nevoie să se îndeletnicească şi cu alte treburi pentru a se putea întreţine. Am cercetat Biblia şi am văzut acolo cu ochii mei cuvintele pe care le-am auzit, şi anume că trebuie să ne rugăm neîncetat, să ne rugăm în orice vreme în Duhul (Efes. 6, 18), să ridicăm mâinile la rugăciune în orice loc (I Tim. 2, 8). M-am tot gândit, dar n-am putut înţelege.
Ce-aş putea face? mă gândeam. Unde să găsesc explicaţia? Cine ar putea să-mi tâlcuiască aceste texte? Voi umbla pe la biserici, acolo unde marii predicatori vestesc cuvântul Domnului, poate voi auzi cuvinte de înţelepciune. Şi am plecat… Am auzit frumoase predici despre rugăciune. Dar nu erau decât învăţături despre rugăciune în general: ce este rugăciunea, cât este de necesar să ne rugăm, care sunt roadele rugăciunii; însă despre felul cum se poate propăşi în rugăciune nu vorbea nimeni.
În săptămâna a 32-a după Rusalii, am ajuns la biserică, să mă rog. Se citea Apostolul, din Epistola către Tesaloniceni, în care se spune: „Rugaţi-vă neîncetat!” (I Tes. 5, 17). Aceste cuvinte s-au întipărit în chip deosebit în mintea mea şi am început să mă gândesc cum s-ar putea să te rogi neîncetat, când fiecare om are neapărat nevoie să se îndeletnicească şi cu alte treburi pentru a se putea întreţine. Am cercetat Biblia şi am văzut acolo cu ochii mei cuvintele pe care le-am auzit, şi anume că trebuie să ne rugăm neîncetat, să ne rugăm în orice vreme în Duhul (Efes. 6, 18), să ridicăm mâinile la rugăciune în orice loc (I Tim. 2, 8). M-am tot gândit, dar n-am putut înţelege.
Ce-aş putea face? mă gândeam. Unde să găsesc explicaţia? Cine ar putea să-mi tâlcuiască aceste texte? Voi umbla pe la biserici, acolo unde marii predicatori vestesc cuvântul Domnului, poate voi auzi cuvinte de înţelepciune. Şi am plecat… Am auzit frumoase predici despre rugăciune. Dar nu erau decât învăţături despre rugăciune în general: ce este rugăciunea, cât este de necesar să ne rugăm, care sunt roadele rugăciunii; însă despre felul cum se poate propăşi în rugăciune nu vorbea nimeni.
July 27, 2022
La prima parte, la più antica (prima edizione nei primi anni dopo il 1860) con i primi quattro racconti, è deliziosa, tanto che mi permetto di consigliare di leggere solo quella.
La seconda parte con altri tre racconti, apparsi in prima edizione nel 1911, è evidentemente di altra mano e più didascalica, con più discorsi e meno racconto. Decisamente meno attraente.
Ai sette racconti segue un'antologia di testi di padri spirituali (aggiunta a partire dalla terza edizione del 1884), più o meno tutti sulla preghiera del cuore. Per quanto profondi e devoti risultano pesanti al lettore di oggi, che non si avvicina al testo come discepolo desideroso di imparare un metodo di preghiera e la spiritualità che lo accompagna, ma semplicemente attratto dalla semplice devozione dei racconti.
È un testo di grande ingenuità e bellezza (la prima parte!), e molto devoto. Davvero accende nel cuore il desiderio di una preghiera più continua, tema unico della ricerca esistenziale del Pellegrino: come si fa a "pregare sempre"?
La seconda parte con altri tre racconti, apparsi in prima edizione nel 1911, è evidentemente di altra mano e più didascalica, con più discorsi e meno racconto. Decisamente meno attraente.
Ai sette racconti segue un'antologia di testi di padri spirituali (aggiunta a partire dalla terza edizione del 1884), più o meno tutti sulla preghiera del cuore. Per quanto profondi e devoti risultano pesanti al lettore di oggi, che non si avvicina al testo come discepolo desideroso di imparare un metodo di preghiera e la spiritualità che lo accompagna, ma semplicemente attratto dalla semplice devozione dei racconti.
È un testo di grande ingenuità e bellezza (la prima parte!), e molto devoto. Davvero accende nel cuore il desiderio di una preghiera più continua, tema unico della ricerca esistenziale del Pellegrino: come si fa a "pregare sempre"?
May 22, 2017
Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. That seems like an impossible task. This short book is the story of one man's attempt to learn how to pray always. This pilgrim in old Russia travels and learns the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me."
He learns to say this continuously. Like Don Quixote, this pilgrim travels around and meets many pious people. He learns and teaches the value of the Jesus Prayer.
This book has a very simple but extremely powerful message. I fail to pray this enough (not even close) but I still see that the prayer is having an impact.
He learns to say this continuously. Like Don Quixote, this pilgrim travels around and meets many pious people. He learns and teaches the value of the Jesus Prayer.
This book has a very simple but extremely powerful message. I fail to pray this enough (not even close) but I still see that the prayer is having an impact.
June 1, 2024
Citate
• Trăieşte după porunci, roagă-te lui Dumnezeu şi aşa te vei mântui.
• „Cuvintele Apostolului – ruga-ţi-vă neîncetat – trebuie înţelese în sensul unei rugăciuni făcute cu mintea, căci mintea poate fi întotdeauna adâncită în Dumnezeu, rugându-I-se neîncetat.”
• Fără rugăciune nu se poate găsi calea spre Domnul.
• Rugăciunea lăuntrică neîncetată este chemarea continuă şi neîntreruptă a Numelui lui Iisus Hristos cu Gura, cu mintea şi cu inima, închipuindu-ne totdeauna în prezenţa Lui şi cerând milostivirea Lui, în timpul oricărei îndeletniciri, în orice loc, în orice vreme, chiar şi în vremea somnului. Ea se rosteşte cu următoarele Cuvinte: Doamne, Iisuse Hristoase, Fiul lui Dumnezeu, miluieşte-mă!
• „Aşază-Te liniştit în singurătate, apleacă-ţi capul, închide ochii, respiră mai încet, coboară-ţi închipuirea înlăuntrul Inimii, adânceşte-ţi mintea, adică gândul, din cap în inimă. În timpul respiraţiei spune: Doamne Iisuse Hristoase, miluieşte-mă. Încet, cu gura sau numai cu mintea. Sileşte-te să alungi toate gândurile, fii liniştit, Fii răbdător şi repetă cât mai des această lucrare!”
* Nici vrăjmaşul nu lucrează fără voia şi îngăduinţa lui Dumnezeu, şi doar atât cât ne este de folos.
* Când începeam să spun rugăciunea, mi se umplea sufletul de bucurie şi deveneam mai uşor.
*. În duh, de pildă, dulceaţa dragostei lui Dumnezeu, liniştea lăuntrică, răpirea minţii, curăţenia gândurilor, desfătătoarea aducere-aminte de Dumnezeu. În simţuri, o plăcută încălzire a inimii, umplerea tuturor mădularelor de o dulce căldură plină de bucurie în inimă, o uşurinţă şi o bărbăţie, plăcere de viaţă, nesimţirea bolilor şi a necazurilor. În minte, limpezirea gândurilor, înţelegerea Sfintei Scripturi, cunoaşterea graiului făpturilor, dezlegarea de grijile deşarte şi cunoasterea bucuriei vieţii lăuntrice, încredinţarea de dragostea şi apropierea lui Dumnezeu.
*. Nu este îngăduită nici o ispită mai presus de puterile omului, căci „o dată cu ispita va aduce şi scăparea din ea, ca să puteţi răbda”.
*. Rugăciunea inimii mă îndulcea atât de mult, încât nu credeam să fie cineva mai fericit decât mine şi nu ştiam cum putea fi o fericire mai mare, mai deplină, în împărăţia cerurilor. Nu numai că simţeam acest lucru înăuntrul sufletului meu, dar şi toate cele din afară mi se înfăţişau într-o formă încântătoare şi toate mă îndemnau să-L iubesc şi să-I mulţumesc lui Dumnezeu. Oamenii, arborii, plantele, animalele, toate mi se păreau înrudite, în toate găseam icoana numelui lui Iisus Hristos.
*. Nimic nu se petrece fără voia lui Dumnezeu. Astfel, m-am liniştit, în nădejdea că Domnul, Iubitor de oameni, va primi năzuinţa mea ca pe o faptă bine plăcută şi nu-mi va lăsa călătoria fără zidire sufletească şi folos duhovnicesc…
*. În faţa Lui este de mare preţ orice faptă, chiar dacă pare mică, orice intenţie, orice îndemn şi orice gând ce se săvârşesc pentru El şi se îndreaptă spre slava Lui şi spre mântuirea noastră. El ne răsplăteşte din belşug pentru toate acestea, potrivit nemărginitei Sale milostiviri. Iubirea lui Dumnezeu ne răsplăteşte prin binefacerile Sale de mii de ori mai mult decât merităm.
*. Nici o rugăciune, bună sau rea, nu este pierdută înaintea lui Dumnezeu. Uşurinţa, căldura şi dulceaţa ne arată că Dumnezeu ne răsplăteşte şi ne mângâie pentru această nevoinţă, iar greutatea, întunecimea, uscăciunea dovedesc că Dumnezeu ne curăţă şi ne întăreşte sufletul, iar, prin această folositoare răbdare, îl mântuie,pregătindu-l cu toată smerenia să guste viitoarea dulceaţă duhovnicească.
* Această adâncă rostire: „miluieşte-mă” parcă ar vrea să spună: „Stăpâne Prea îndurate, iartă-mi păcatele şi ajută-mă să-mi îndrept viaţa, trezeşte-mi râvna spre împlinirea poruncilor Tale fără lenevire, fie-Ţi milă de mine, iertându-mi păcatele săvârşite şi adunându-mi împrăştiata minte, voinţa şi inima numai în Tine.”
*. Când te vei lovi de necazuri, învinuieşte-te mai ales pe tine însuţi, pentru că nu ai destulă răbdare şi smerenie.
*. Rugăciunea este cea mai însemnată şi cea mai potrivită unealtă în viaţa fiecărui creştin.
*. Să începem rugăciunea nu pentru slava deşartă şi nu într-o lume zgomotoasă, ci într-un loc singuratic şi liniştit. Ne mai învaţă apoi să ne rugăm nu numai pentru iertarea păcatelor, ci şi pentru unirea cu Dumnezeu şi, prin urmare, să nu născocim multe cereri de prisos, care privesc feluritele nevoi ale vieţii.
*. Condiţiile mântuirii, care îi sunt puse în faţă ca nişte lucruri de trebuinţă, şi anume: o viaţă plină de evlavie, nevoinţele şi ostenelile luate asupra noastră pentru o deplină jertfire de sine, care duc la înfăptuirea virtuţilor şi la o neîntreruptă împlinire a tuturor poruncilor dumnezeieşti, care sunt o mărturie a credinţei noastre tari şi nezdruncinate… Mai departe ni se spune că toate aceste condiţii de mântuire trebuie împlinite - negreşit — cu cea mai mare smerenie şi, mai ales, toate deodată.
*. Nimeni nu are putinţa atâta vreme cât nu o cere, cât nu se roagă lui Dumnezeu ca să i-o dea. „Nu aveţi, pentru că nu cereţi”.
*. Rugăciunea pare că-l renaşte pe om. Puterea ei este atât de mare, încât nimic, nici o putere pătimaşă, nu-i poate sta împotrivă.
*. Roagă-te şi nu te teme de nimic, nu te înfricoşa de necazuri, nu te înspăimânta de năpaste, căci rugăciunea te va apăra, înlăturându-le.
*. Roagă-te oricum, însă mereu şi nu te nelinişti de nimic, fii vesel şi liniştit cu duhul, căci rugăciunea va rândui toate şi te va înţelepţi.
*. Şi vă rugaţi unul pentru altul, ca să vă vindecaţi…” (Iacov 5, 16)
*. Atunci când îl chemăm pe Dumnezeu, nu trebuie să ne fie frică sau să ne îndoim.
*. Dacă s-ar întâmpla să cazi şi să ajungi chiar în adâncul răutăţii iadului, nici atunci să nu deznădăjduiți, ci să te întorci îndată către Dumnezeu. El va reface repede inima ta căzută în păcat şi-ţi va da o putere mai mare ca înainte. Prin urmare, după orice cădere şi după orice rănire săvârşită în inimă de păcat, trebuie să ne
înfăţişăm numaidecât în faţa lui Dumnezeu, ca să fim vindecaţi şi curăţiţi.
• Trăieşte după porunci, roagă-te lui Dumnezeu şi aşa te vei mântui.
• „Cuvintele Apostolului – ruga-ţi-vă neîncetat – trebuie înţelese în sensul unei rugăciuni făcute cu mintea, căci mintea poate fi întotdeauna adâncită în Dumnezeu, rugându-I-se neîncetat.”
• Fără rugăciune nu se poate găsi calea spre Domnul.
• Rugăciunea lăuntrică neîncetată este chemarea continuă şi neîntreruptă a Numelui lui Iisus Hristos cu Gura, cu mintea şi cu inima, închipuindu-ne totdeauna în prezenţa Lui şi cerând milostivirea Lui, în timpul oricărei îndeletniciri, în orice loc, în orice vreme, chiar şi în vremea somnului. Ea se rosteşte cu următoarele Cuvinte: Doamne, Iisuse Hristoase, Fiul lui Dumnezeu, miluieşte-mă!
• „Aşază-Te liniştit în singurătate, apleacă-ţi capul, închide ochii, respiră mai încet, coboară-ţi închipuirea înlăuntrul Inimii, adânceşte-ţi mintea, adică gândul, din cap în inimă. În timpul respiraţiei spune: Doamne Iisuse Hristoase, miluieşte-mă. Încet, cu gura sau numai cu mintea. Sileşte-te să alungi toate gândurile, fii liniştit, Fii răbdător şi repetă cât mai des această lucrare!”
* Nici vrăjmaşul nu lucrează fără voia şi îngăduinţa lui Dumnezeu, şi doar atât cât ne este de folos.
* Când începeam să spun rugăciunea, mi se umplea sufletul de bucurie şi deveneam mai uşor.
*. În duh, de pildă, dulceaţa dragostei lui Dumnezeu, liniştea lăuntrică, răpirea minţii, curăţenia gândurilor, desfătătoarea aducere-aminte de Dumnezeu. În simţuri, o plăcută încălzire a inimii, umplerea tuturor mădularelor de o dulce căldură plină de bucurie în inimă, o uşurinţă şi o bărbăţie, plăcere de viaţă, nesimţirea bolilor şi a necazurilor. În minte, limpezirea gândurilor, înţelegerea Sfintei Scripturi, cunoaşterea graiului făpturilor, dezlegarea de grijile deşarte şi cunoasterea bucuriei vieţii lăuntrice, încredinţarea de dragostea şi apropierea lui Dumnezeu.
*. Nu este îngăduită nici o ispită mai presus de puterile omului, căci „o dată cu ispita va aduce şi scăparea din ea, ca să puteţi răbda”.
*. Rugăciunea inimii mă îndulcea atât de mult, încât nu credeam să fie cineva mai fericit decât mine şi nu ştiam cum putea fi o fericire mai mare, mai deplină, în împărăţia cerurilor. Nu numai că simţeam acest lucru înăuntrul sufletului meu, dar şi toate cele din afară mi se înfăţişau într-o formă încântătoare şi toate mă îndemnau să-L iubesc şi să-I mulţumesc lui Dumnezeu. Oamenii, arborii, plantele, animalele, toate mi se păreau înrudite, în toate găseam icoana numelui lui Iisus Hristos.
*. Nimic nu se petrece fără voia lui Dumnezeu. Astfel, m-am liniştit, în nădejdea că Domnul, Iubitor de oameni, va primi năzuinţa mea ca pe o faptă bine plăcută şi nu-mi va lăsa călătoria fără zidire sufletească şi folos duhovnicesc…
*. În faţa Lui este de mare preţ orice faptă, chiar dacă pare mică, orice intenţie, orice îndemn şi orice gând ce se săvârşesc pentru El şi se îndreaptă spre slava Lui şi spre mântuirea noastră. El ne răsplăteşte din belşug pentru toate acestea, potrivit nemărginitei Sale milostiviri. Iubirea lui Dumnezeu ne răsplăteşte prin binefacerile Sale de mii de ori mai mult decât merităm.
*. Nici o rugăciune, bună sau rea, nu este pierdută înaintea lui Dumnezeu. Uşurinţa, căldura şi dulceaţa ne arată că Dumnezeu ne răsplăteşte şi ne mângâie pentru această nevoinţă, iar greutatea, întunecimea, uscăciunea dovedesc că Dumnezeu ne curăţă şi ne întăreşte sufletul, iar, prin această folositoare răbdare, îl mântuie,pregătindu-l cu toată smerenia să guste viitoarea dulceaţă duhovnicească.
* Această adâncă rostire: „miluieşte-mă” parcă ar vrea să spună: „Stăpâne Prea îndurate, iartă-mi păcatele şi ajută-mă să-mi îndrept viaţa, trezeşte-mi râvna spre împlinirea poruncilor Tale fără lenevire, fie-Ţi milă de mine, iertându-mi păcatele săvârşite şi adunându-mi împrăştiata minte, voinţa şi inima numai în Tine.”
*. Când te vei lovi de necazuri, învinuieşte-te mai ales pe tine însuţi, pentru că nu ai destulă răbdare şi smerenie.
*. Rugăciunea este cea mai însemnată şi cea mai potrivită unealtă în viaţa fiecărui creştin.
*. Să începem rugăciunea nu pentru slava deşartă şi nu într-o lume zgomotoasă, ci într-un loc singuratic şi liniştit. Ne mai învaţă apoi să ne rugăm nu numai pentru iertarea păcatelor, ci şi pentru unirea cu Dumnezeu şi, prin urmare, să nu născocim multe cereri de prisos, care privesc feluritele nevoi ale vieţii.
*. Condiţiile mântuirii, care îi sunt puse în faţă ca nişte lucruri de trebuinţă, şi anume: o viaţă plină de evlavie, nevoinţele şi ostenelile luate asupra noastră pentru o deplină jertfire de sine, care duc la înfăptuirea virtuţilor şi la o neîntreruptă împlinire a tuturor poruncilor dumnezeieşti, care sunt o mărturie a credinţei noastre tari şi nezdruncinate… Mai departe ni se spune că toate aceste condiţii de mântuire trebuie împlinite - negreşit — cu cea mai mare smerenie şi, mai ales, toate deodată.
*. Nimeni nu are putinţa atâta vreme cât nu o cere, cât nu se roagă lui Dumnezeu ca să i-o dea. „Nu aveţi, pentru că nu cereţi”.
*. Rugăciunea pare că-l renaşte pe om. Puterea ei este atât de mare, încât nimic, nici o putere pătimaşă, nu-i poate sta împotrivă.
*. Roagă-te şi nu te teme de nimic, nu te înfricoşa de necazuri, nu te înspăimânta de năpaste, căci rugăciunea te va apăra, înlăturându-le.
*. Roagă-te oricum, însă mereu şi nu te nelinişti de nimic, fii vesel şi liniştit cu duhul, căci rugăciunea va rândui toate şi te va înţelepţi.
*. Şi vă rugaţi unul pentru altul, ca să vă vindecaţi…” (Iacov 5, 16)
*. Atunci când îl chemăm pe Dumnezeu, nu trebuie să ne fie frică sau să ne îndoim.
*. Dacă s-ar întâmpla să cazi şi să ajungi chiar în adâncul răutăţii iadului, nici atunci să nu deznădăjduiți, ci să te întorci îndată către Dumnezeu. El va reface repede inima ta căzută în păcat şi-ţi va da o putere mai mare ca înainte. Prin urmare, după orice cădere şi după orice rănire săvârşită în inimă de păcat, trebuie să ne
înfăţişăm numaidecât în faţa lui Dumnezeu, ca să fim vindecaţi şi curăţiţi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2016
J'ai lu celui-ci en français parce que je ne voulais pas de se concentrer sur l'intrigue. Je voulais me concentrer sur le chemin théologique sur lequel le pèlerin traversé. Le Français m'a aidé à maintenir un rythme lent parce qu'il faut que j'utilise le dictionnaire chaque 3 minutes!
June 27, 2017
Glory to God for all things bright and beautiful, and for all things!
March 4, 2018
Citita pe nerasuflate!
August 30, 2021
Trovato per caso su una bancarella e letto senza sapere a cosa andavo in contro. È una sorta di diario ascetico di un anonimo pellegrino russo, che spinto dal voler trovare un significato al "pregare senza intermissione" di S.Paolo, si avvicina alla vita spirituale. In ogni caso affascinante, come tutte le cose molto lontane dal comune modo di pensare.
August 11, 2023
A la primera mitad del libro (relatos) le daría 3 estrellas, pero la segunda (entrevistas) me ha gustado mucho, así que tiene mi calificación de “muy bueno”. El libro nace con el mandato de San Pablo: “orad sin cesar”. El peregrino ruso quiere entender cómo realizar el mandato en su vida. ¿Cómo vivir en oración? ¿Qué es la oración del corazón? ¿La oración sin cesar es solo para los contemplativos?
Hace unos años empecé a escuchar y ver que varios autores se referían a algo que llamaban “oración del corazón”. Sabía que tenía que ver con el silencio pero no mucho más. El libro permite entender qué es y da claves para vivirlo. Además, al ser un peregrino el aprendizaje es progresivo: la narración va por un camino en el que vas descubriendo poco a poco.
Más cosas: hay muchas referencias a los Padres de la Iglesia y tiene un glosario para que no te pierdas con tanto vocabulario ruso.
Es un libro que me encantaría repescar en unos años.
Hace unos años empecé a escuchar y ver que varios autores se referían a algo que llamaban “oración del corazón”. Sabía que tenía que ver con el silencio pero no mucho más. El libro permite entender qué es y da claves para vivirlo. Además, al ser un peregrino el aprendizaje es progresivo: la narración va por un camino en el que vas descubriendo poco a poco.
Más cosas: hay muchas referencias a los Padres de la Iglesia y tiene un glosario para que no te pierdas con tanto vocabulario ruso.
Es un libro que me encantaría repescar en unos años.
August 29, 2025
Most important insight: I find this book asking me to take action and apply what I learned. The book begins, "By the grace of God I am a Christian man, by my actions a great sinner, and by calling a homeless wanderer of the humblest birth who roams from place to place. My worldly goods are a knapsack with some dried bread and a Bible in my breast pocket. And that is all."
The book is about a travelers insight seeking to learn how to perform ceaseless prayer. The author mentions that in the Church, we listen about praying and its importance in our spiritual life. However, we are usually not informed about the recipe (steps) we should take on how to perform the prayer of the heart, although we have stories of saints who achieved that and reached "Theosis" (made divine with the grace of God).
The traveler, with the Grace of God finds a person who thought him how to say a short prayer called the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me"). With the instruction of his spiritual father, he starts repeating this prayer 3000 times a day, then 6000 times, then 12,000 times, step by step. As he progresses through his journey, he sees God working in him, and so many beautiful and unexplainable experiences happen to him with the Grace of God. Even though the book is from Eastern Orthodoxy, I have heard similar experiences of laities in my Oriental Orthodox tradition who asked fathers how to pray.
For instance, the following is a story told in my Ethiopian Oriental Orthodox Church. A man who lived on an island prayed every day, "Lord, have no mercy." After some time, a priest came to the area, and they heard how he prayed and told him to correct the error and say, "Lord have mercy" then they got into their boat and continued traveling.
The man started repeating, "have mercy." but he forgot it after a while. He wanted to ask the priest, so he started running towards them, and he walked over the water to catch them and asked, "Father, what was the prayer you just told me?" When the priest saw that he was walking in the water, they told him, "keep praying, have no mercy on me." The story teaches us about small, repeated, and unceasing prayer. For not words matter more than the will of man to open his heart to God. Even if we are uneducated, God is merciful and sees us for who we truely are, his children.
The book is about a travelers insight seeking to learn how to perform ceaseless prayer. The author mentions that in the Church, we listen about praying and its importance in our spiritual life. However, we are usually not informed about the recipe (steps) we should take on how to perform the prayer of the heart, although we have stories of saints who achieved that and reached "Theosis" (made divine with the grace of God).
The traveler, with the Grace of God finds a person who thought him how to say a short prayer called the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me"). With the instruction of his spiritual father, he starts repeating this prayer 3000 times a day, then 6000 times, then 12,000 times, step by step. As he progresses through his journey, he sees God working in him, and so many beautiful and unexplainable experiences happen to him with the Grace of God. Even though the book is from Eastern Orthodoxy, I have heard similar experiences of laities in my Oriental Orthodox tradition who asked fathers how to pray.
For instance, the following is a story told in my Ethiopian Oriental Orthodox Church. A man who lived on an island prayed every day, "Lord, have no mercy." After some time, a priest came to the area, and they heard how he prayed and told him to correct the error and say, "Lord have mercy" then they got into their boat and continued traveling.
The man started repeating, "have mercy." but he forgot it after a while. He wanted to ask the priest, so he started running towards them, and he walked over the water to catch them and asked, "Father, what was the prayer you just told me?" When the priest saw that he was walking in the water, they told him, "keep praying, have no mercy on me." The story teaches us about small, repeated, and unceasing prayer. For not words matter more than the will of man to open his heart to God. Even if we are uneducated, God is merciful and sees us for who we truely are, his children.
December 27, 2017
I had never heard of this book. But I picked this up after reading the initial lines which are really moving. It is a brief book. In the Dover edition it runs to just 66 pages. It is a personal narrative of a wandering Russian pilgrim of the mid 19th century. The pilgrim is one armed and his only worldly possessions are his Bible and Philocalia, which is a collection of mystical writings of the Orthodox tradition. He survives on alms given by others. Since he could read and write, rare skills in 19th century Russia, he gets respect wherever he goes. The pilgrim's major spiritual tool is the 'jesus prayer': "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me". He tells us that through long practice, this prayer has become co terminus with his breathing. There are many interesting stories and spiritual reflections in this book. The Language is very simple and lucid. As the narrative ends, the pilgrim is on way to Jerusalem, a trip sponsored by a benefactor.
I was attracted to the book probably because I like Tolstoy's writings, where we encounter many monks and pilgrims. Tolstoy's story Father Sergius is about an ascetic monk who realises his vanity and in the end becomes a pilgrim.
I was attracted to the book probably because I like Tolstoy's writings, where we encounter many monks and pilgrims. Tolstoy's story Father Sergius is about an ascetic monk who realises his vanity and in the end becomes a pilgrim.
January 31, 2019
I found this book to be quite edifying and is definitely worth re-reading. A collection of a few stories, all of which are those of a man, a pilgrim, wandering the countryside and conversing with various monks, priests, and other individuals - throughout which he is ever seeking to learn how to pray without ceasing.
Reading it was an excellent use of my time and certainly worthy of its place as a spiritual classic.
Reading it was an excellent use of my time and certainly worthy of its place as a spiritual classic.
August 27, 2008
The Way of a Pilgrim is an easy to read story of a sort of monastic wanderer. Through an open heart and a diligent prayer life, the pilgrim manages to see God's hand in everything. The biggest message of this book? "The Jesus Prayer." Basically, this book serves as an infomerical for this prayer, but I only mean that in the most positive of ways.
April 8, 2017
Ово је прва књига коју сам прочитала везана за духовне теме и којој се често враћам. Помогла ми је да пронађем снаге да кренем на пут духовног живота са честим успонима и падовима, али са надом у благодат Господњу.
April 28, 2021
O carte care vine în ajutorul oricărei persoane interesate de o viață îndreptată spre Hristos. Cartea cuprinde multe învățături duhovnicești, accentul căzând însă pe rugăciunea inimii sau rugăciunea neîncetată.
April 29, 2013
Excellent . I don't see why this Eastern Orthodox classic can't be a part of an evangelical Protestant's toolbox . We need more John Wesley's in this regard .
December 9, 2024
Reading this book evoked a buried memory for me… drawing the crucifixion on graphing paper in 6th grade study hall then hanging it in my locker for the rest of the school year. When again will I return to that level of pure devotion …
Truly though this book has really inspired me to try and turn toward my faith again. I think the theological discussions and debates the pilgrim has with the different people he meets along the way sounds much more exciting to me than the way I grew up interacting with religion, i.e. having everything presented to me as fact, and not always engaging with it critically (at least not in a way that was encouraged through conversation with others). I’ve read most of the Bible in bits in pieces over the years, and I’ve been wanting to read through the whole thing for a while… this might be the last push I needed.
The description he provides of his body filling with joy and peace and contentment is so tangible, and relatable in some ways. Like, I don’t think I’m in a place where I could find that level of solace just through the repetition of prayer, but I find of glimpse of that feeling when I see imagery of the crucifixion still — like a sense of grace so overwhelming I feel emotional. Just having that glimpse though was enough to genuinely consider some of the advice provided by the pilgrim and his mentors — like the recitation of the prayer 3,000 times a day, then doubling and doubling until it synchs with my heartbeat. Deep down, or maybe not so deep down, I think doing that could transform my life for the better. Which maybe sounds crazy, but thinking specifically about times in my life where my brain was so clouded by the most anxious and distracting thoughts, I don’t think replacing those nasty brain bugs with what is essentially an affirmation would be much worse. I’ve never felt like my faith has wavered much, but I do think I used to feel like I was closer to God. Okay im having a realization rn…
Right off the bat, I thought the pilgrim’s misunderstanding of the incessant prayer was silly. I was like DUH what they mean by incessant prayer is find the glory of God and his creation in the beauty of all things, and conduct “prayer” through that constant exaltation, through loving and appreciating the world around you. But now, I’m thinking that that kind of attitude is why I don’t feel as close to God as I did when I was in middle school (even high school), when I was going to church once or twice a week and consistently engaging with scripture. Maybe there does need to be a more literal religious element for me to find that feeling again.
That wasn’t the only concept that the narrator focused on, though, and I enjoyed the lessons introduced through the various parables. One of those books that doesn’t seem to have much of a plot — which I’m not usually a huge fan of — but it was a quick read and had a very comforting atmosphere. Everything resolved itself pleasantly in the end.
I want to read the philokalia now… but I think the Bible should come first. Also feeling inspired to learn more about Orthodoxy — and all sects and sub-sects of Christianity, for that matter. Though I must admit my initial research seems to confirm that I continue to be most ideologically aligned with Pr*otestantism. Tragic on aesthetic grounds, really…
I should also mention I read this because of its starring role in Franny & Zooey. I can see why a genius like Salinger would read this book and understand that the perfect person to by enamored by it is an anxious college girl with an asshole boyfriend. We are like, ripe for religious awakenings. I also find Franny’s story to be a lot more complex now, because the message of the pilgrims writings seems so straight forward and pleasant, yet becomes very confusing and unnerving in her hands. Both great books though, and I’d recommend anyone who has read one to read the other, ideally back to back (though I’m not sure which I would recommend to do first)
Truly though this book has really inspired me to try and turn toward my faith again. I think the theological discussions and debates the pilgrim has with the different people he meets along the way sounds much more exciting to me than the way I grew up interacting with religion, i.e. having everything presented to me as fact, and not always engaging with it critically (at least not in a way that was encouraged through conversation with others). I’ve read most of the Bible in bits in pieces over the years, and I’ve been wanting to read through the whole thing for a while… this might be the last push I needed.
The description he provides of his body filling with joy and peace and contentment is so tangible, and relatable in some ways. Like, I don’t think I’m in a place where I could find that level of solace just through the repetition of prayer, but I find of glimpse of that feeling when I see imagery of the crucifixion still — like a sense of grace so overwhelming I feel emotional. Just having that glimpse though was enough to genuinely consider some of the advice provided by the pilgrim and his mentors — like the recitation of the prayer 3,000 times a day, then doubling and doubling until it synchs with my heartbeat. Deep down, or maybe not so deep down, I think doing that could transform my life for the better. Which maybe sounds crazy, but thinking specifically about times in my life where my brain was so clouded by the most anxious and distracting thoughts, I don’t think replacing those nasty brain bugs with what is essentially an affirmation would be much worse. I’ve never felt like my faith has wavered much, but I do think I used to feel like I was closer to God. Okay im having a realization rn…
Right off the bat, I thought the pilgrim’s misunderstanding of the incessant prayer was silly. I was like DUH what they mean by incessant prayer is find the glory of God and his creation in the beauty of all things, and conduct “prayer” through that constant exaltation, through loving and appreciating the world around you. But now, I’m thinking that that kind of attitude is why I don’t feel as close to God as I did when I was in middle school (even high school), when I was going to church once or twice a week and consistently engaging with scripture. Maybe there does need to be a more literal religious element for me to find that feeling again.
That wasn’t the only concept that the narrator focused on, though, and I enjoyed the lessons introduced through the various parables. One of those books that doesn’t seem to have much of a plot — which I’m not usually a huge fan of — but it was a quick read and had a very comforting atmosphere. Everything resolved itself pleasantly in the end.
I want to read the philokalia now… but I think the Bible should come first. Also feeling inspired to learn more about Orthodoxy — and all sects and sub-sects of Christianity, for that matter. Though I must admit my initial research seems to confirm that I continue to be most ideologically aligned with Pr*otestantism. Tragic on aesthetic grounds, really…
I should also mention I read this because of its starring role in Franny & Zooey. I can see why a genius like Salinger would read this book and understand that the perfect person to by enamored by it is an anxious college girl with an asshole boyfriend. We are like, ripe for religious awakenings. I also find Franny’s story to be a lot more complex now, because the message of the pilgrims writings seems so straight forward and pleasant, yet becomes very confusing and unnerving in her hands. Both great books though, and I’d recommend anyone who has read one to read the other, ideally back to back (though I’m not sure which I would recommend to do first)
January 5, 2024
This small, anonymous book written (or presumed to be written) by a Russian pilgrim in the 1800s shares his wandering journey while he seeks to discover and live out what it means to "pray without ceasing." All his various trials and experiences along the way teach him to practice the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me!) at all times no matter what happens (and much does happen!) until it becomes an interior prayer of the heart and gives him unshakeable peace and joy.
This was a wonderful encouragement to read, including the teaching of elders on prayer and the conversations he had with fellow pilgrims and followers of Christ. A good read for spiritual seekers!
This quote struck me as particularly relevant:
"The fact is that we are far removed from our own real self, and we have little desire to confront that self, choosing aimless trifles over the truth. Then we try to convince ourselves that we'd be more glad to live the spiritual life and take up praying, but there's never enough time for it, because all the cares and worries of our lives take up all our time. And yet, what is more important: the redemptive eternal life of the soul, or the short-lived life of the body, which we spend so much time attending to?"
This book will encourage you to pursue the former.
This was a wonderful encouragement to read, including the teaching of elders on prayer and the conversations he had with fellow pilgrims and followers of Christ. A good read for spiritual seekers!
This quote struck me as particularly relevant:
"The fact is that we are far removed from our own real self, and we have little desire to confront that self, choosing aimless trifles over the truth. Then we try to convince ourselves that we'd be more glad to live the spiritual life and take up praying, but there's never enough time for it, because all the cares and worries of our lives take up all our time. And yet, what is more important: the redemptive eternal life of the soul, or the short-lived life of the body, which we spend so much time attending to?"
This book will encourage you to pursue the former.
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