Beauty for Ashes: The Spiritual Transformation of a Modern Greek Community

by Stephen R. Lloyd-Moffett

This story of profound spiritual transformation demonstrates how a bishop and a local monastery turned a village riddled by scandal into one of the most spiritually vibrant towns in all of Greece. The book covers the political history and religious character of the region of Nikopolis, from time of the Apostle Paul in 63 AD to the arrival of Bishop Meletios in 1980. With great sensitivity, the author deals with the issue of sexual misconduct within the church, the restoration of the local church to spiritual health, and the renewed trust between church leaders and the laity. He also offers a short biography of Bishop Meletios, the church Leader who applied his ancient faith in a modern context to inspire social and religious change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an encouraging story of the revival of a Greek diocese that had fallen deeply into spiritual decay, wonderfully revived by a new bishop and a small band of monks who joined him in restoring the spiritual beauty of the diocese.
The author says that he researched the story in hopes of finding a program or method for spiritual renewal, but found that Bishop Meletios' only 'program' was to restore the traditional life of the church, including monastic life, in its fullness. Every decision he made was guided simply by that concern.
As an American, living in a country where Christianity is so often recruited for political ends, I was interested in Bishop Meletios' strong stand against the Church's involvement in politics. This was essentially a pastoral concern: Greece's political climate is much more diverse than ours, and the people of his diocese leaned strongly leftward and associated the Greek Orthodox church with right-wing politics. Bishop Meletios regarded these people as his flock, whose trust needed to be regained so that they could be restored to authentic life within the Church.
The most interesting sub-story for me was of the restoration of monastic life in the diocese, and especially the development of a successful, traditional monastic life that has neither isolated itself from the community nor been undermined and swallowed up by involvement in the world. As the author notes, throughout history monasteries have tended to have an uncomfortable relationship with parishes and bishops, so seeing a working symphonia of the various components of the Church is very heartening.
At times I felt as if I was reading a PhD thesis that had been lightly re-written as a general-market book. For example a history of the Preveza region in Epirus going back to ancient times fills a whole chapter without, I thought, adding much to the book. A few paragraphs would have been fine as far as the book's main themes are concerned.
There's a powerful message here: the Church is in need not of programmatic reforms, marketing, political involvement or evangelism campaigns. It is in need of people who embody its essential holiness. When such people are present, everything else follows.
A helpful, uplifting book.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard about Greek Orthodox Bishop Meletios, and his introduction of Bible teaching and modern Greek services to his parish, while visiting Greece. What a delight to find a book about him in English! I found his humility and devotion to Christ, and his teaching, to be incredibly inspiring and memorable. This was my first introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy, and I can see why its ideals have appeal for those who are weary of the trendiness and levity that can be the evangelical church these days. Personally, I felt I could appreciate the reverence and devotion to personal holiness in this book while retaining the gospel of faith so treasured by evangelicals.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really insightful book into the history, politics, and church corruption of 20th century Greece. What happened in Preveza (as centers this book) is an excellent case study for understand the fallout from WW11 and how it changed the politics, people, and Greek Orthodox church in Greece. A must read for any Greek or person of Greek heritage and an absolute must read for all Orthodox clergy and monastics.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this book fondly, being raised a Protestant, in my early years I thought of Christianity as either Protestant or Catholic. I learned that their were the Orthodox churches, but I didn't know that much about them. You could say that this was my introduction to Orthodoxy.

[Dimitra K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming true story about an inspiring Greek Orthodox Bishop full of sanctity. Thankful to the author for recording this story allowing people to get to know such a spiritual personality and such a blessed transformation.

[Kristofer Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a member of a parish without a priest, their are a variety of opinions about what we need. Someone young, someone energetic, someone who can help us with our building program, someone who can meet our felt needs. But what we seem to forget is that this is God's work, not ours. Our task it personal holiness, which makes us a vessel fit for His use. In this way God gives us beauty for ashes. This was the experience of the Orthodox community of Nikopolis and Preveza, riven by worldliness and scandal. A spiritual elder was elevated to the bishopric and, through his own example and the inculcation of personal holiness in others, transformed the area. What is needed is not another set of plans and programs, not a cult of personality, but holiness and a willingness to seek that "one thing needful".

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Orthodox Metropolis of Nikopolis / Preveza, a town northwest of Greece, suffered thirty years under the leadership of a bishop involved in all sorts of political and financial scandals.

In 1980, a new bishop was sent to it. With the help of his spiritual sons, with whom he was about to pursue monastic life on Mount Athos before his episcopal appointment, Archbishop Meletios raised the local Orthodox Christianity from the ashes and has since been given it its spiritual beauty back (cf. the title, inspired by Is. 61.3.)

In Beauty For Ashes, the author, specialized in the study of early Christian history, presents the story of this healing following the structure of....

Read my full review:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/09/28/2...

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book offers a look at how an ancient Orthodox diocese in Greece was revitalized at the end of the 20th Century. A hopeful story that even in modern times an old Orthodox diocese can be revived. Its immediate application to the Church in America is more difficult to assess since here we are not trying to revive a church gone dormant due to neglect and corruption, but are trying to establish Orthodoxy in a land which is more amenable to Protestant Christian ideals.