Weekly Lenten Book Discussion Beginning March 16, 2016

Lenten Orthodox Book Discussion

Wednesdays during Lent after the Presantified

Beginning March 16, 2016

When one thinks of St. Isaac the Syrian, one thinks of God’s love. In The Spiritual World of Isaac the Syrian, we will become acquainted with the spirituality of this amazing saint. His emphasis on “luminous” love is so timely in this world that is so torn by tragedy and sadness.

In the foreword, written by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, we are given a hint of the treasures that lie ahead. Here are a few excerpts:

Isaac the Syrian, also called Isaac of Nineveh, lived and wrote during "the golden age of Syriac Christian literature" in the seventh century. Cut off by language and politics from the Churches of the Roman Empire and branded "Nestorian," the Church of the East produced in isolation a rich theological literature which is only now becoming known to outsiders. Yet over the centuries and in all parts of Christendom, Isaac's works have been read and recommended as unquestionably orthodox.

Now, at last, to my great delight, we have at our disposal a single book in English, offering us a balanced and comprehensive overview of Isaac's life, background and teaching. Wisely, Fr. Hilarion Alfeyev has allowed Isaac to speak for himself. The book is full of well-chosen quotations, in which Isaac's true voice can be heard.

Saint Isaac of Syria was an ascetic, a mountain solitary, but his writings are universal in scope. They are addressed not just to the desert but to the city, not just to monastics but to all the baptized. With sharp vividness he speaks about themes relevant to every Christian: about repentance and humility, about prayer in its many forms, both outer and inner, about solitude and community, about silence, wonder, and ecstasy. Along with the emphasis that he places upon "luminous love"—to use his own phrase—two things above all mark his spiritual theology: his sense of God as living mystery; and his warm devotion to the Savior Christ.

 Each Wednesday during Lent the church community will meet after the Liturgy of Presantified Gifts for a Lenten pot-luck dinner in the taverna. Following dinner, Father Christos will lead a discussion of a few chapters of The Spiritual World of Isaac the Syrian. The Spiritual World of Isaac the Syrian is available in the church bookstore and library.