Customer Reviews

Counsels from the Holy Mountain: Selected from the Letters and Homilies of Elder

5 star:		(7)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a layperson with not a great deal of religious instruction, I approached this book with a bit of uneasiness; would I be able to comprehend the counsels of this book? I began to read and found it almost impossible to put down. The love that Elder Ephraim poured into this work is palpable. I found it nourished my soul, it was written in a manner that made it seem as if the Elder himself was face to face with me, speaking to my very heart. I found answers and comfort in it, I found guidance and hope, something I think we all need in these harsh times we live in. I would greatly recommend it to all seeking what I found in it. God Bless.

This book changed my life. Elder Ephraim is truly of one mind with the Orthodox Saints through the centuries. The book describes how to deal with the passions, on spiritual warfare, temptations and trials, etc. from the traditional Orthodox Christian teachings. Some of this book might be a little too difficult to swallow for the "modern Christian" but perhaps this is needed as a wake up call. I recommend that you read this book slowly and prayerfully.

Elder Ephraim has played a very important role in the creation of many Greek Orthodox monasteries throughout the United States. This book gives the lay reader valuable insights into the powerful faith, strength, and compassion that have inspired so many Orthodox people. Definitely an important addition to the library of anyone who wants to experience the vitality of the patristic tradition in today's world.

I have been Orthodox all my life and never, not in Sunday School, Church, or Bible Study have I ever heard such amazing words as are in this bok. This book discusses every aspect of Orthodox Christianity, and when you read this book you will literally hear God talking to you through Elder Ephraim's words.

From New York Times, Jan12 , 2011 by Karen Crouse
PITTSBURGH -- Steelers safety Troy Polamalu opened his red leather-bound playbook to a dog-eared page. "The life of a man hangs by a hair," he began reading in a voice as soft as falling snow. "At every step our life hangs in the balance."
It was three days before the Steelers' A.F.C. divisional playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens, a matchup in which the Super Bowl aspirations of two worthy contenders hang in the balance, and Polamalu was getting himself centered.
"How many millions of people woke up in the morning, never to see the evening?" Polamalu read. And then: "The life of a man is a dream. In a dream, one sees things that do not exist; he might see that he is crowned a king, but when he wakes up, he sees that in reality he is just a pauper."
The book in Polamalu's hands, "Counsels From the Holy Mountain," guides him in football and in life. It contains the letters and homilies of a Greek Orthodox monk, Elder Ephraim, whom Polamalu described as his spiritual doctor.
Polamalu, 29, sought out the octogenarian monk, who resides in a monastery in southern Arizona, a few years ago, a meeting that led Polamalu to the place he described as "heaven on earth."
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This book is truly enlightening; Geronda Ephraim writes with such humility and eloquence you. His counsels are true spiritual medicine for the struggling Christian. However, I would recommend this book only for Orthodox Christians or those studying the Orthodox faith, as other Christians may not appreciate its full splendor!

1\ I learned of this book via the Wikipedia entry/bio about Troy Polamalu, the star safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mr. Polamalu is notable in a variety of ways. He plays a violent game at which he excels, but is supposedly soft spoken and mild mannered outside of his profession. Evidently this book has had a powerful impact upon him. That was enough to send me to Amazon to learn more.
2\ I've been studying the history of the Catholic Church for a few years, and this book is from writings of a greatly esteemed monk and leader in the Greek Orthodox Church.
3\ The book wasn't available directly from Amazon itself, but only via outside sellers at prices I thought were quite high.
4\ If you want to buy the book directly from the monastery, that's not a problem. Just get the info on the web for St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence, AZ. They can sell it to you directly. I rec'd my new copy recently for less than twenty-five dollars delivered.
5\When I ordered on the phone, I suggested that they get on Amazon and sell via them.
Just thought potential readers would like a cheaper alternative. When I finish the book for my research, I'll post a review that's about the book itself (as opposed to how to obtain the book)

I have only begun my journey looking deeper into Orthodoxy and deeply enjoy recent findings of early church fathers' writings. What a blessing to find the disciples of the Apostles speak through their letters to us. Very moving to read Clement's own letters to the corinthian church 40 years after the Apostle Paul recommended him to us in Phillipians 4:3.

I was surprised to read of the great reverence given by Holy Tradition in the Orthodox Christian Churches to marriage in a book by Father Meyerhoff entitled: "Marriage: An Orthodox Perspective" and found his writings inspirational.

A friend of mine in our local Orthodox Church recommended visiting Ephraim's monastery due to his impressoin of Ephraim's deep "spirituality". In a google search for his monastery though, I was shocked to read that the Archbishops of the Orthodox Church condemning Ephraim's cultic work. Many Orthodox parents are in tears over the loss of their children to what they believer are cultic monasteries more focused on Ephraim's new revelations than our LORD Jesus Christ and the HOLY TRADITION!? I'm not sure why would true Orthodox believers accept false antiOrthodox teachings that condemn sexual purity of marriage intimacy taught by Apostolic writings given under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and confirmed by all true Churches worldwide; but, I guess sometimes desire for Holiness in an age of impurity can blind anyone to the true teachings of our LORD in regard to the wonderful blessings of marriage and its intimate God-given nature. I know no man should have papal authority to overcome Apostolic and Holy Orthodox teachings no matter how serene or "spiritual" they seem.

Please investigate pokrov and rickross's website presentations of the Holy Orthodox Church's concernes regarding this author before presenting a 5 star representation of his writings.

I want to remain open minded concerning that which is truly Holy Orthodox teaching and determine whether there is a continuity or break between the first 4 centuries of Christianity and today's Christian teachings, but cultic tendencies concern me deeply no matter what their source claims are.

Hope I have not opened an unncessary can of worms for those wanting to know Christ of History and his Church's true teachings. God's blessings on your journey!