I’m glad to post religious reviews today, for the Feast of the Nativity. The following are books I enjoyed very much; unfortunately, I don’t have time to write a long review for each, if I want to catch up with the reviews of all the books I read in 2013 before the end of the year!

As the subtitle clearly states, the book follows the liturgical year of the Orthodox Church, starting on September 1st, and through 7 chapters comments on each feast, with its meaning and the meaning of the scriptural passages attributed to each feast.

There’s always a very simple and refreshing style to Lev Gillet, and it has always been a delight for me to read his meditations on Scripture. He always comes up with deep and simple ideas and images, and make you see things in a different perspective, full of pure goodness from the heart. I inserted here his picture, as I believe you can see the goodness of the man on his face.
You can read more about this fascinating man here. His biography by Elisabeth Behr Sigel is amazing!

I’d like to quote here a few passages:

An external event, be it even the Resurrection of our Lord, has no practical value for souls unless it translates itself, in them, into an increase of that inner Light which must direct our whole life.
p.196

We are justified by faith, but faith is nothing unless it transforms our life, unless it bears fruit, and leads to holiness.
p.222

***

As mentioned in my previous post on vol.1, I read this book in French many years ago. Not sure why, but the recent English edition came out in a 3 volume box set. I recently finished the 2nd volume, which deals with the movement from illness to health again, though the Sacraments and different means of implementation of the therapy.

The subtitle tells you more about the vast fresco of this book: An Introduction to the Ascetic Tradition of the Eastern Church.

The book covers ALL the themes related to Orthodox theology and spirituality, it is a mine full of tons of riches and multiple Patristic quotations.

The Table of Contents of the 3 volumes will give you a better idea:

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK
OF EASTERN ORTHODOXY?