The Path to Salvation: A Manual of Spiritual Transformation

by Theophan the Recluse

Patristic literature provides an age-old, tried and tested model of spiritual life, foreign to fleeting fashions. Throughout the last two thousand years, Christ has raised up patristic writers who have defended that original model. In modern times, however, this model is being pushed aside, the taste for genuine mystical expression is disappearing, and the initial Christian impetus is being disfigured. That is why the works of St. Theophan the Recluse are so vital for today. He keeps the ancient patristic model sharp and clear, presenting it in modern language. He speaks to contemporary people who have been exposed to new realities, and thus renders inestimable help in linking them to the original Christian impetus and revealing to them the way into the Heavenly Kingdom. The works of St. Theophan changed the spiritual face of Russia in the 19th century. With the publication of his greatest work, THE PATH TO SALVATION, the English-speaking world now has the opportunity to benefit likewise from this powerful inheritance to the people of the modern age. Saint Theophan the Recluse is first and foremost a Church Father for modern times. Deeply aware of the roots of the modern age, he reinterprets ancient patristic wisdom in order to adapt it to the needs of the modern unchurched mind, which has been divorced from the Orthodox philosophy of life and even from the rudimentary principles of practical Christianity. This classic textbook of spiritual life, now being offered in its entirety for the first time in English, seems to have been sent directly to today's readers by the great Russian recluse himself. Every line breathes his profound psychological understanding, his intricate experience in spiritual struggle, and above all his love, compassion and all-consuming desire that every person might be saved. Inspiring the reader with a sober longing for acquiring the Kingdom of Heaven, St. Theophan provides an infallible system for taking the Kingdom by force, in a Christian life of grace and repentance.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Christianity, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian

366 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1869

About the author

St. Theophan the Recluse, also known as Theophan Zatvornik or Theophanes the Recluse (Russian: Феофан Затворник), is a well-known saint in the Russian Orthodox Church. He was born George Vasilievich Govorov, in the village of Chernavsk. His father was a Russian Orthodox priest. He was educated in the seminaries at Livny, Orel and Kiev. In 1841 he was ordained, became a monk, and adopted the name Theophan. He later became the Bishop of Tambov.

He is especially well-known today through the many books he wrote concerning the spiritual life, especially on the subjects of the Christian life and the training of youth in the faith. He also played an important role in translating the Philokalia from Church Slavonic into Russian. The Philokalia is a classic of orthodox spirituality, composed of the collected works of a number of church fathers which were edited and placed in a four volume set in the 17th and 18th centuries. A persistent theme is developing an interior life of continuous prayer, learning to "pray without ceasing" as St. Paul teaches in his first letter to the Thessalonians.

Russian profile: Феофан Затворник

Reviews

[Michael O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

"St. Theophan the Recluse". "Recluse" --- not a very complimentary term in the context of Western civilization --- usually thought to be a misfit who, for whatever reason, can't abide the pressures of normal life. At least, that's been my thought every time I've heard the term.

Yet, in my Orthodox journey, I continued to see St. Theophan referenced in many contexts. And rightly so.

If there was an Orthodox "Sigmund Freud" --- a man who understood the human psyche well -- from an Orthodox Christian perspective ---- it is St. Theophan. Because he understands how humans think, how we rationalize, and what prompts us to do good or to do evil better than almost anyone else. The man could merit a PhD in psychology.

He may have the sobriquet "the Recluse", but Theophan was nobody's fool. I doubt that any cosmopolitan could put one over on him.

I found his analysis of how to deal with temptation, how to repent, how to change one's mind and soul from one of self-gratification and focus on the passions to one of serving God to be succinct, to the point, and absolutely on target.

I felt convicted. It's like -- even from a century in the past --- this saint could see right through me. Yes, I will do better, and I am thankful to Sts. Constantine & Helena Serbian Orthodox Church for having this book in their store such that I could have it. It has motivated me to redouble my efforts to draw closer to God and walk in the Orthodox Way!

This book is NOT for everybody. It is what is described as the "meat" of the God's Word. You have to come to a point of desire to serve God to benefit from it. If not, I do not recommend it. If so, then this is a good book for you, and, for you , I do recommend this.

[Kathryn Hermes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this book now. Not exactly reading.... I'm doing it. I love Theophan the Recluse. He guides you from the point where your soul is asleep through awakening to how to be consistent in reaching out to your God and panting as a deer for running streams. I remember an Amazon review said that it is a guide for the entire spiritual life and it sure is just that. So I keep working through the "how to's" which make this book stand apart from so many.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love St Theophan and his teachings.
Lots to aspire to.

[Joshua Finch]

The first Part was itself extracted for print entitled "Raising Them Right" and it's about the right form of upbringing. And the last chapter of the third and last Part are selections from St. John Chrysostom on parents and children.

The third Part as a whole may be overwhelming since it is for the advanced stages of purification (or some of it is illumination too, I'm not sure), and it looks like a formidable task, but one has to remember zeal is assumed to be in them from the previous stage.

The second Part on the turn or change of mind (repentance) is worth the book's cost on its own. You will recognize many of the experiences he describes here about conversion. But because recognizable experiences St. Theophan describes in sequence may keep showing up in later steps than you think you are, it is sometimes a bit hard to tell exactly where one is. That's why I'm going to re-read this Part. But even wihout exactness here it's worth it.

[Arkadiy Volkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Что меня больше всего восхищает в святоотеческих трудах (помимо духа и любви, разумеется, для которых у меня пока не хватает слов), так это то, как они между делом и не придавая этому особого значения разворачивают психологические теории, до которых просвещенный мир идет еще несколько веков. Вот здесь, например, как на ладони вся когнитивная терапия.

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most practical guide to the Christian life that I have yet found. A spiritual understanding for the things we do as Orthodox Christians, step-by-step instructions for what we ought to do to increase in holiness and in obedience to Christ, advice on raising children.

[sch]

May 2023. The full work of which TURNING THE HEART TO GOD was an extract. Reading for practice as well as theory. Jul 2023. Alas, setting aside.

Nov 2022. Friend bought me a copy :)

Jul 2022. Recommended by a colleague.