The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way [Paperback]

Helen Bacovcin (Translator), Walter J. Ciszek (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 1985

This classic work of Russian spirituality has charmed countless readers with its tale of a nineteenth-century peasant seeking the truth with simple humility, finding joy and plenty everywhere in life.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

This classic work of Russian spirituality has charmed countless readers with its tale of a nineteenth-century peasant seeking the truth with simple humility, finding joy and plenty everywhere in life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Image Books (June 17, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385468148
• ISBN-13: 978-0385468145
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Orthodoxy
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian Living > Faith
  • #19 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Worship & Devotion > Devotionals

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insight into the Spiritual Beauty of Christ's Mercy, November 14, 2000

By 

Cameron B. Clark (Bristow, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way (Paperback)

As Morton Kelsey has stated in his book, The Other Side of Silence, "This little book puts the ideas of the Philokalia into the hands of the ordinary person, showing how they can be made part of our devotional practice while we go about life in the ordinary, secular world." The Jesus prayer is simple, but the intent is to discipline one's mind toward a constant awareness of God's presence as manifested through Christ's mercy. The prayer reinforces one's absolute dependence on God's grace and sensitizes one's soul to the Holy Spirit's leadings. One is reminded of that other classic of the spiritual life by Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God. To pray without ceasing is possible, but one must internalize prayer to make it an automatic, perpetual attitude of submission, not just a few words on the lips. The anonymous pilgrim was successful because of his faith-filled determination to locate the scriptural key to unceasing prayer and open the spiritual lock through practice. He seeks until he finds, and what he finds is a treasure of joy unspeakable and full of glory and a peace which passes all understanding. My heart was with the pilgrim throughout his wanderings because his concern was mine and, if it's your concern as well, you too will find that treasure.

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, November 19, 2002

By 

Margaret Dybala "too many books, too little time" (Pearland, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way (Paperback)

I first learned of this book when I read Salinger's "Franny & Zooey" back in high school (a long time ago!). In the "Franny" portion, you will recall that she repeats a prayer over and over, and consults a little book. At the time, I asked my lit teacher what the book was and was told it didn't exist .. it was just part of the story. Many, many years later, I heard about the Way of the Pilgrim, and putting 2 and 2 together, realized that this is what Salinger referred to. I then read Way of the Pilgrim, just to see the literary reference, and instead found a beautiful book that renewed my spiritual life. This is a simple story of a 19th century Russian wanderer, his attempts to follow St. Paul's admonition to pray without ceasing. This is a marvelous story. I recommend it without hesitation to any person who wants to grow spiritually.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story that will go right to your heart, May 18, 2001

By A Customer

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This review is from: The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way (Paperback)

I first read this book eighteen years ago and the pilgrim's humble and simple story touched something in my heart. The book was so inspiring that it moved me to begin praying the Jesus Prayer, and the Prayer and the Pilgrim have been my companions in life ever since.

The story takes place in Russia in the nineteenth century. Our pilgrim is a man who has lost his family and his home, is slightly disabled, and who is burning with a passion for God. He hears a sermon on the necessity of constant prayer, and in his eagerness to find out how this is possible, sets out on a journey across Russia to meet with any spiritual advisor who can instruct him. One of these holy fathers introduces him to the Philokalia and the Prayer of the Heart. In passing along the instruction, however, the pilgrim is really teaching us, the readers. This book is filled with sound teaching, but, unlike other books on spirituality/theology, it does not tell us what to do, but rather lets the pilgrim, through narrative and dialogue, tell what he himself did. The instruction unfolds along with the story, touching the reader's heart and soul in the process.

If you read this and would like to pursue the Prayer of the Heart, you might also want to read another very simple book called "Living the Jesus Prayer," by Irma Zaleski. Those two books, plus the Gospel, will get you through your whole life and beyond, and it will be a journey of joy and peace, and a direct experience of Omnipresence.