Четире слова о молитве

by Theophan the Recluse, Феофан Затворник

Письма святителя Феофана Затворника — бесценная сокровищница практического духовного опыта. Святитель Феофан Затворник - Четире слова о молитве

Genres: Theology

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1992

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

[Svetlana Oss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess it depends on the whole background of a reader when it comes about reading spiritual literature. I read loads of religious books before because I was raised in a Christian family. The books were different, mostly by Protestant authors, some of them even compelling. But I can definitely say that my real spiritual journey has began when I opened this book. I really have hard time to find the right words to describe the experience I had. I have to say that it is not only this book but together with yet another book by the same author "What is Spiritual Life and how to get Attuned to it" that opened an entirely new realm of prayer to me. It was about tears, soaring, love, admiration, insights, joy, gratefulness, sweet sadness and many other feelings. I felt Spirit moving me deep into my bosom. And it all started from following Theophan's simple recommendations on how to approach prayer and how to FIND it within. I have to say that I don't follow everything he recommends(for instance, I have different view on demons and don't want to engage myself into battling with evil spirits) but when it comes about most of other things including prayer he truly has become my Spiritual Father.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and direct. Good food for thought on prayer and how to acquire a heart of prayer. It is available for FREE on both Youtube (40 mins long) and as a pdf so do a search before you spend nearly $100 on Amazon.

[Jon Athan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this by way of a YouTube video of the same name. I am beginning to try to apply it to my prayer life and it has already been a great help to me.

[Dean Paradiso · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and wonderfully practical booklet with four sermons (lectures) on prayer in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The author starts with using formal prayer as a way to develop attention and feeling, along with concentration for meditation. The practice of reflection of divine attributes is introduced, and finally methods of 'praying without ceasing'. From an Eastern perspective these can be seen as practices in devotional yoga. Highly recommended for those with an affinity for Christian traditions.

[Christian Proano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing short sermons, very pastoral as well... if you search hard enough you may find these homilies online.