Book Discussion Group - Beauty for Ashes: The Spiritual Transformation of a Modern Greek Community

June 17th, 2010

Beauty for Ashes: The Spiritual Transformation of a Modern Greek Community

by Stephen R. Lloyd-Moffett
This story of profound spiritual transformation demonstrates how a bishop and a local monastery turned a village riddled by scandal into one of the most spiritually vibrant towns in all of Greece. The book covers the political history and religious character of the region of Nikopolis, from time of the Apostle Paul in 63 AD to the arrival of Bishop Meletios in 1980.

With great sensitivity, the author deals with the issue of scandal within the church, the restoration of the local church to spiritual health, and the renewed trust between church leaders and the laity. He focuses on the actions of the local monastic community and their leader, Bishop Meletios, who applied his ancient faith in a modern context to bring about social and religious change. This true story is an inspirational and valuable resource for seekers of Christian Orthodoxy.

Stephen R. Lloyd-Moffett is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at California Polytechnic State University. His professional research centers on ascetic traditions.

Excerpt: As an institution, the Church cannot overcome the inertia of moral decline, subjectivism, and hedonism in our society. As an institution, the Church can never train all the priests to be educated, holy vessels of God. As an institution, the Church will not preserve the Truth of God and the purity of His altar unblemished. If the Church was only a human institution, despair would be entirely justified. Bishop Meletios wants to remind people that, fortunately, the Church is not merely a human institution.

Yet as easily as the people noted Bishop Meletios’ personal strictness, they also noted his compassion. One resident recalled, “I came to respect him the most because while he is very strict with himself, with others he is lenient.” Thus he quickly came to be known not only for his personal ascetic regime but also for the love with which he embraced the people.

Visit the Church library or bookstore to purchase or borrow the book. The Book Discussion Group will be held at 7:00 PM, June 17th at the home of Alex and Tina Anas, 151 Rollingwood St., Williamsville, New York 14221. Please call 688-5816 or email tcolaizzo@aol.com for directions.