Way of the Pilgrim/Philokalia

[MrJim]

I'm a wayward anabaptist but came across the "Pilgrim" book and I was wondering if anyone was familiar with the Philokalia. As best I understand this was translated from Russian and I don't really understand the Orthodox Church (except there is a Greek Orthodox Church in my town). I would be interested in info about Philokalia and haven't had much success looking for it on net.

[Lotar]

I'm a wayward anabaptist but came across the "Pilgrim" book and I was wondering if anyone was familiar with the Philokalia. As best I understand this was translated from Russian and I don't really understand the Orthodox Church (except there is a Greek Orthodox Church in my town). I would be interested in info about Philokalia and haven't had much success looking for it on net.

The first 4 of 5 have been translated from Greek into English.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0571130135/qid=1111206707/sr=2-4/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_4/102-9423672-5748906
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0571154662/qid=1111206707/sr=2-5/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_5/102-9423672-5748906
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0571175252/qid=1111206707/sr=2-6/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_6/102-9423672-5748906
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/057119382X/qid=1111206707/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-9423672-5748906

[Orthosdoxa]

Welcome Menno! :) I am a former Baptist myself. Please feel free to ask us anything you would like to know about the Orhtodox Church.

LK

[Dust and Ashes]

I'm a wayward anabaptist but came across the "Pilgrim" book and I was wondering if anyone was familiar with the Philokalia. As best I understand this was translated from Russian and I don't really understand the Orthodox Church (except there is a Greek Orthodox Church in my town). I would be interested in info about Philokalia and haven't had much success looking for it on net.

I am currently reading The Way of a Pilgrim and want to get a copy of he Philokalia myself soon. If you enjoyed Pilgrim and are interested in Orthodox spirituality and the the Jesus Prayer, I'd recommend The Mountain of Silence (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385500920/qid=1111233907/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-7781958-3288944?v=glance&s=books) as well.

And welcome to TAW!

[Theophorus]

There used to be a page that had quite a few excerpts from the Philokalia, but it's gone or changed now. Here (http://www.onelittleangel.com/wisdom/quotes/book_net.asp?mc=332&p=0) is another with just a few quotes.

The Evergetinos is also something that you might be interested in. Here are siome excerpts from that collection of monastic wisdom.

http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8135.asp

[cleopa_of_emmaus]

Here's a link to the version I read:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0571163939/qid=1111249235/sr=2-3/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_3/104-6601969-5206361

God Bless,

~cleopa the byzantine

[katherine2001]

Warning! I've been told that you shouldn't even think of reading the Philokalia without a blessing from your priest to do so. This is by priests and an older priestmonk (Fr. Averky of Jordanville, may his memory be eternal). Fr. Averky used to say that even many monks are never given a blessing to read the Philokalia). If you read something, you are then responsible for it. Yet one of the big tools the devil uses is getting you to try things that are way beyond your level. Again, don't read things like this without a blessing from your priest.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Warning! I've been told that you shouldn't even think of reading the Philokalia without a blessing from your priest to do so. This is by priests and an older priestmonk (Fr. Averky of Jordanville, may his memory be eternal). Fr. Averky used to say that even many monks are never given a blessing to read the Philokalia). If you read something, you are then responsible for it. Yet one of the big tools the devil uses is getting you to try things that are way beyond your level. Again, don't read things like this without a blessing from your priest.
I agree. I've heard the same thing about reading the philokalia.

[MrJim]

I don't have a priest and I don't understand the warning. If I'm responsible for what I read, and I've read the scriptures, then anything else is going to be secondary:confused:


I guess I could contact the local Greek Orthodox priest and ask him about it?

[countrymouse33ad]

I guess I could contact the local Greek Orthodox priest and ask him about it?

I think that's the best thing to do, menno. Welcome to TAW, btw. :)

[Oblio]

I guess I could contact the local Greek Orthodox priest and ask him about it?


Or OCA (http://www.oca.org) or Antiochian (http://www.antiochian.org)

I'm not sure if reading for casual interest without the advice of a priest or monk would do any harm. Their advice and counsel, especially given the purpose of your inquiry would be, IMO, quite valuable.

[Orthosdoxa]

I don't have a priest and I don't understand the warning. If I'm responsible for what I read, and I've read the scriptures, then anything else is going to be secondary:confused:


I guess I could contact the local Greek Orthodox priest and ask him about it?

Hi again :)

I think the warning has to do with what St. Paul said about milk and meat. Some things are too meaty for some of us. While the Philokalia are of course not on a par with sacred Scripture, we do recognize them as being very powerful and holy writings. They are not to be taken lightly. For an Orthodox Christian, it is generally recommended to read them under the guidance of their priest, lest they "choke" on the meat if they were really only ready for milk. Just as some people twist the Bible into things it was never meant to say, the same can happen with other writings, hence the need for a spiritual father.

How many Orthodox churches are in your area?

LK

[MrJim]

One. It's a beautiful new building-I think they've been around here for a while but were meeting somewhere "out of the way".

[Oblio]

One. It's a beautiful new building-I think they've been around here for a while but were meeting somewhere "out of the way".

Your not in Ga by any chance are you ? :)

[MrJim]

Your not in Ga by any chance are you ? :)

Nope, PA. Wish I was in MO...

[icxn]

Nope, PA. Wish I was in MO...
Hi menno,

PA hmm... are you perhaps close to OH? I know of a monastery there (http://sgpm.goarch.org/Monastery/index.php) and the monks might be able to help you with your enquiries about the Philokalia, which, as other's have already said, is a difficult book to grasp.

This article (http://sgpm.goarch.org/Monastery/index.php?p=27) for example is in the Philokalia, as well as this one (http://sgpm.goarch.org/Monastery/index.php?p=5). They are somewhat easy to understand but then you come across something like this (http://sgpm.goarch.org/Monastery/index.php?p=42) and then you begin to lose your mind. :)


icxn

[MrJim]

Hi menno,

PA hmm... are you perhaps close to OH? I know of a monastery there (http://sgpm.goarch.org/Monastery/index.php) and the monks might be able to help you with your enquiries about the Philokalia, which, as other's have already said, is a difficult book to grasp.

This article (http://sgpm.goarch.org/Monastery/index.php?p=27) for example is in the Philokalia, as well as this one (http://sgpm.goarch.org/Monastery/index.php?p=5). They are somewhat easy to understand but then you come across something like this (http://sgpm.goarch.org/Monastery/index.php?p=42) and then you begin to lose your mind. :)


icxn

Wow. Are these writings generally used by Orthodox clergy or are they just "dusty ancient writings" not considered relevant (like much of church history)?
And are they considered orthodox teachings?

[icxn]

Wow. Are these writings generally used by Orthodox clergy or are they just "dusty ancient writings" not considered relevant (like much of church history)?
And are they considered orthodox teachings?
Dusty? Church history? Haha... they are the heart of Orthodox Spirituality. On the other hand, not everyone is called to be a marine... and make use of "these special weapons..." you should know that. ;)

icxn

[Oblio]

Nope, PA. Wish I was in MO...

Ah, PA, the Holy Land of the West :)

I'm going to MO (St. Louis) this week to visit family.

[Prawnik]

With all due respect, we as Orthodox would not consider the writings of the Church Fathers to be outdated any more than we would consider the Holy Bible to be outdated.