The Holy Fathers of Orthodox Spirituality, Pt. II - Fr. Seraphim Rose

Part II/III titled "How to Read the Holy Fathers" from Fr. Seraphim Rose's insight on the most profitably way to read the Orthodox Holy Fathers. Fr. Seraphim examines what the Holy Fathers intended with their writings, how they always had in mind that their reader would put their words into action, not merely gain knowledge and be puffed up (1 Cor 8:1). He speaks of how St. Paisius Velichkovsky had joy and fear with the idea of the Philokalia being published. He illumines us regarding how to read the Fathers with the insights of St. Macarius of Optina, St. John of the Ladder, St. Barsanuphius, St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, and more. This focus will keep us on the narrow path towards our Christ.
This article was first published in The Orthodox Word (Vol. 11, No.1 (Jan.-Feb., 1975), 35-41).
The text can be found here: orthodoxinfo.com/phronema/rose...
Fr. Seraphim, pray to God for us!
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[@autisticheadscarf]

Wish I came across this when I first started inquiring

[@StratKruzer]

Thanks much for recording this valuable material.

[@thelastgeneration1926]

These kinds of writings of very helpful

[@thelastgeneration1926]

I can’t believe he wrote this. It’s like his most important work and never heard of it

[@OrthodoxWisdom]

It’s possible it was intended to be a longer work, but I think it might have been designed to end with part III (which I plan to record and post within a week). But yes he really gives us great nourishment with these words.

[@forevershampoo]

Beautiful stuff

[@richardsz9099]

I have committed terrible mistakes . I read the Philokalia without guidance. I became proud. I stopped reading it after a few months I realized that I'm deceived.. thanks to the modern Saints especially Saint Paisios of mount athos.
Now I understand that humility is the most important and always very small steps in the spiritual life..
My question, can you you reccomend books for beginners? Which really humbling?
For example the Psalter from Saint ephraim the Syrian is very humbling..
But I don't find more simple books .. only hard teachings from the Holy Fathers..

[@OrthodoxWisdom]

I know exactly where you are coming from. God shows himself very patient with us. In terms of books for beginners that aren’t too hard, I’d suggest: The Way of a Pilgrim, St. Seraphim’s conversation with Motivilov, Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives by Elder Thaddeus, and even Wounded by Love by Elder Porphyrios. Each of these books use simpler language and energize any reader who has a loving heart. Hope that helps.

[@forevershampoo]

I was given Elder Thaddeus book by an Orthodox priest before I came to Orthodoxy and read it and thought it was good. Now I am re-reading after starting to practice Orthodoxy and it is a completely different book to me.

[@OrthodoxWisdom]

Is it different in a good way? How is it different now for you?

[@Mysteria.1]

☦️