Recommended Books regarding the Philokalia?

[JER7177]

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ!

I am looking to study more regarding the Philokalia but have been warned against trying to endeavor to read them on my own. Apparently it is taboo in the east without a spiritual director. Can anyone recommend substantive books with real meat regarding the Philokalia with direct citations from the text. Just finished Fr. Anthony Coniaris’s “Philokalia: The Bible of Orthodox Spirituality” and loved it. But it did not offer direct citations or excerpts from it. Can anyone recommend anything! Thank you and God bless!

 

[Andonios]

I don’t understand the taboo, however much of the Philokalia is practical, and there’s no means of such ‘practice’ without a spiritual father in the Church. The Evergetinos is another famed collection that has more inter relational practical examples akin to any of the Gerontikons or desert father writings. CToS publishes the Evergetinos.

As for the Philokalia itself, the book “Way of a Pilgrim” as well as the short follow up “Pilgrim Continues His Way” includes some subtle teachings and excerpts. Much of Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos’ titles include bits from the Philokalia. Ultimately, the Philokalia isn’t a ‘book’ or even a ‘set’, but rather a collection of various spiritual writings collected by Sts Makarios of Corinth and Nikodemos the Hagiorite. The work into Slavonic was translated immediately by their brother and co-struggler, St Paisius Velichkovsky. So not all of the collection is exclusive to what is published as ‘the Philokalia’, and let it be known that the work published thus far via translations from Metropolitan Kallistos Ware is both: a) not complete…as one volume has yet to be published, and b) is not necessarily strict to the original Greek text in both content and translation.

While a ‘brief excerpt’, I would recommend Fr. Constantine Cavarnos’ 2 volume series on the work. Volume 1 was completed and published in his lifetime, while Volume 2 was pieced together and published posthumously. Fr. Constantine maintains the patristic integrity in his translation and presentation, whereas Metropolitan Kallistos and the early English translators had no comparable English counterpart, so they were truly breaking new ground in their work which we should all be graciously indebted to them for that undertaking.

Much of what is mentioned in “The Way of a Pilgrim” can be found in a compilation volume of Metropolitan Kallistos’s version called: “Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart”.

 

[Phillip_Rolfes]

There is no reason that one cannot just pick up and read the Philokalia. As the previous poster mentioned, it contains a great deal of practical advice and wisdom. If the four volume set is too daunting, then start off with the previously recommended Selections from the Philokalia: On the Prayer of the Heart. Bear in mind, however, that these books ought to be read slowly and contemplated deeply.

Although the ideal is to have a spiritual father/mother who can guide you through these writings and help you to best apply them to your person and situation, the reality is that such is rarely the case. What are we to do? Met. Kallistos Ware, along with a large number of the great Eastern Christian mystics, suggests to read carefully, to engage in spiritual conversations frequently, to find a spiritual friend, to stay close to the Sacraments of Confession and Communion, and to continue in prayer.

St. Ignatius Brianchaninov suggests reading St. Basil’s introductions to certain of the Fathers of the Philokalia (the Basil referred to here is a Romanian saint, not St. Basil the Great). The complete collection of these introductions is available in a rather short book from St. John of Kronstadt Press.

I would also recommend reading The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology. It is one of the best volumes I’ve ever read, and I return to it continually.

For some very practical, down-to-earth, and yet profound reading I very strongly suggest St. Theophan the Recluse’s The Spiritual Life and how to be Attuned to It.

Although these books may not contain many direct quotes from the writings contained in the Philokalia, they will at least introduce you to the basic teachings contained in those volumes, as well as the spirit in which those volumes were written and collected. Ultimately nothing can surpass just picking up the text itself and reading it.

 

[ajecphotos]

The Philokalia

Anyone got the full set of 4 books?

Reading “The Way of a Pilgrim” has got me interested in it

 

[Andonios]

The Philokalia

Anyone got the full set of 4 books?

Reading “The Way of a Pilgrim” has got me interested in it

I have the 4 English volumes released by Faber & Faber…it’s not a complete set, as it would require the 5th volume which has yet to be fully translated. The rule recommended in Way of a Pilgrim is very close to the following offering, which is a compilation volume:
‘Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart’

That being said, one must realize that the original Philokalia compilation from Sts. Makarios and Nikodemos was soon translated by fellow Kollyvades Father, St. Païsius Velichkovsky into Church Slavonic. Many years later, St. Theophan translated from St. Païsius’s text into Russian, and added more text to the collection. What became the English Edition is from the latter bit. Certain editorial decisions were also made to switch the order and importance of the original content, as well. I am personally not a fan of the Faber & Faber copies, but they are also some of the only offerings of many texts, which is priceless. I would prefer Fr. Constantine Cavarnos’s Vol 1 and 2, which are very true to the original text, but not nearly as complete as what Faber & Faber offers. The introduction offerings in Fr. Constantine’s volume 1, and beginning with St. Anthony’s text is worth it alone.

 

[ajecphotos]

Philokalia on ’Prayer of the Heart’

Received a copy i ordered recently. Not read it yet but looking forward to doing so.