Defeating sin: Overcoming our Passions and Changing Forever by Fr. Joseph Huneycutt Published by Regina Orthodox Press, Salisbury, Massachusetts, 2007. Defeating sin: Overcoming our Passions and Changing Forever is a book that provides a deep exploration of the passions and the virtues, spiritual warfare and the way toward repentance. It skillfully gathers like a honeybee from the writings of many Orthodox Fathers to produce sweet spiritual honey. Fr Joseph provides a clear and yet deep picture of the Passions, how they affect our lives and how we can practically conquer them: It is often unnerving to discover just what constitutes [...]

Christ the Conqueror of Hell: The Descent into Hades from an Orthodox Perspective By Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev Published by St Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) press, New York, 2009 In this scholarly book, Archbishop Hilarion addresses the origins of our understanding of Christ’s descent into Hades following His death on the Cross, compiling the writings of the New Testament, Church Fathers and the various liturgical texts that refer to this topic. “Christ the Conqueror of Hell” answers any questions an Orthodox Christian might have on this subject, drawing from teachings throughout Church history, starting with the Apostles and early Apocryphal literature, through [...]

Monastic Wisdom: The Letters of Elder Joseph the Hesychast Published by St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery, Arizona, 1998 Monastic Wisdom is a compilation of letters written by Elder Joseph the Hesychast to his spiritual children. Elder Joseph (1897-1959) was a spiritual father to many, and through his spiritual children, helped to revitalise spiritual life in many monasteries on Mount Athos. One such spiritual child, Elder Ephraim, former Abbot of Philotheou, and the founder of St Anthony’s Monastery in Arizona where this book was published, writes in the foreword: “We know that monastics will benefit from the Elder’s letters. We also [...]

Practical Teaching on the Christian Life by Abba Dorotheos Published by Athens University, 2002. The book, Practical Teaching on the Christian Life by Abba Dorotheos details the life and wisdom of this grace-filled desert Father. Abba Dorotheos lived in Gaza Palestine during the 6th century. He denied himself many worldly pleasures out of his greater love for Christ, and became a magnet for those who sought guidance on how to improve their spiritual life. Seventeen of his practical teachings have been published in this book. Of paramount importance to the Abba was the need for humility, for no other virtue [...]

Bread & Water, Wine & Oil: An Orthodox Christian Experience Of God By Archimandrite Meletios Webber Published by Conciliar Press, 2003. In this book we are taken on a fascinating journey into the workings of the mind, the source of the “logismi”, and how it creates an awareness of a shallow self – our ego. Because of the Fall, this sense of self has been broken - we are told how this happened in the beginning as well as how it continues to play out today. Although necessary, the mind usually functions involuntarily and takes control of our lives. On [...]