Customer Reviews

The Living Witness of the Holy Mountain: Contemporary Voices from Mount Athos

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There is no need for a lengthy review in this instance. This book is, to put it quite simply, an outstanding resource for anyone who wants to see into the heart of Orthodoxy. The Orthodox ( Athonite ) tradition, largely unknown or at best, poorly understood by Western Christianity, offers a distinctly, loving and mystical vision on the nature of faith. Father Golitzin has assembled a wonderful collection of articles and stories that are both greatly enjoyable and highly informative. Whether you are Orthodox or just interested in learning about the world's first Christian church, you will find this book to be a very rewarding read.

Hieromonk Alexander (Golitzin) provides an excellent history of Mount Athos, concentrating on more recent history.

By presenting translations of contemporary Athonite spirituality, he permits the reader to directly the spirituality directly rather than through a filter. Particularly striking to this reader was how similar in tone and 'feel' these texts are to those of the Desert Fathers of many centuries ago. Thus, it demonstrates how Christian Orthodoxy has maintained the faith that was once for all given to the saints.

Highly recommended!

This book is a wonderful introduction to the life, spirituality, and mission of the monks of Holy Mount Athos. The historical notes, detailing of the daily life of the monks, and description of the impact their spirituality has had on the world via St. Herman of Alaska were particularly moving and helpful aspects of the book. Perhaps the greatest aspect of this book, however, is the inspiration it provides for those of us who are trying to live a life of authentic Orthodox spirituality in the world and not on Mount Athos. The monks, in the sermons and other short writings and sayings excerpted in this book, have constant reference to the attainability of God's grace even for those in the world and offer us encouragement and advice on how to attain to it. I recommend this book both for those who want to better under the place of the Holy Mountain in Orthodoxy and for those who want to deepen their own spiritual life.