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Precious Vessels of the Holy Spirit: The Lives and Counsels of Contemporary Elders of Greece
In an age searching for earthly solutions to spiritual problems, the ancient ministry of the God-bearing elder is a divine gift to contemporary man. Termed the “golden chain” by St. Symeon the New Theologian, this life-giving ministry of the Church is a precious inheritance passed down from Christ, through the Apostles, from one generation to the next, to our own day. The lives and counsels contained in this volume attest to the continued vitality of this ancient ministry and to the importance of its preservation for the life of the Church today.This volume includes a Foreword by Georgios Mantzaridis, Professor Emeritus of the University of Thessalonica, extensive commentary providing the context for the lives and counsels therein, detailed maps, and a glossary of theological terms, making it an invaluable source of spiritual orientation and enlightenment for every seeker of Christian Orthodoxy.
- GenresSpiritualityReligion
212 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 10, 2022
3.5 stars.
This is a collection of lives and counsels of certain elders in Greece (of which Paisios and Joseph the Hesychast were know to me before, and the former is perhaps the best known to most people). There are some black and white pictures of each person. At the end is a glossary, maps (Mount Athos, Greece, and Eastern Mediterranean), some bibliography (English and Greek). There is also some explanatory notes of terms at the end of the page when needed.
The introduction goes deep into some subjects like spiritual leader ship, what these men's counsels are like; the foreword after that is likewise. Not all of these people lived on Mount Athos, or stayed there for good. First for everyone comes their biography, sometimes a bit hagiographical in style but not too much, then a bunch of counsel quotes, for some longer than for others.
I didn't find much new stuff, or stuff to remember in these counsels, so that's why 3.5 stars, but reading them, and the lives, was still inspiring and worth it. The book might not be the most essential, but it's still interesting and well-arranged.
This is a collection of lives and counsels of certain elders in Greece (of which Paisios and Joseph the Hesychast were know to me before, and the former is perhaps the best known to most people). There are some black and white pictures of each person. At the end is a glossary, maps (Mount Athos, Greece, and Eastern Mediterranean), some bibliography (English and Greek). There is also some explanatory notes of terms at the end of the page when needed.
The introduction goes deep into some subjects like spiritual leader ship, what these men's counsels are like; the foreword after that is likewise. Not all of these people lived on Mount Athos, or stayed there for good. First for everyone comes their biography, sometimes a bit hagiographical in style but not too much, then a bunch of counsel quotes, for some longer than for others.
I didn't find much new stuff, or stuff to remember in these counsels, so that's why 3.5 stars, but reading them, and the lives, was still inspiring and worth it. The book might not be the most essential, but it's still interesting and well-arranged.
June 7, 2014
A bit too hagiographic for my taste buds, but well worth reading, especially the quotes from the elders themselves. A living tradition still at work in distilling great souls...
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May 15, 2021Previous Vessels is the result of Middleton’s visits to Greece’s monasteries while pursuing his doctoral studies there. In his preface, he alludes to the book’s evolution and expansion. Beginning as a collection of sayings and counsels of notable elders of the 20th century, he ended up with a survey suitable for both the Orthodox and heterodox. The book is a reader-friendly introduction to the ongoing history of holy monastics and valuable to anyone
searching for saints in the modern world.
The book opens with an extended essay by Mantzaridis on the place of monastics in the Church, their wherefores and whys. This provides a frame of reference especially for those not familiar with their central role in the Church:
"The perfect monk voluntarily shoulders the universal responsibility for the evil that exists in the world.…Placing himself beneath all people and considering himself the first among sinners, he encounters Christ’s gift as a personal gift. He becomes universal on the level of universal sin and accepts the universal reconciliation with the new life that Christ offers the sinful person…Just as Christ bears within Himself all humanity, so the monk is thus widened and embraces all the world."
(35)
Middleton goes on to create profiles of eight elders, several of whom have been canonized since the book’s publication, including Elders Paisos, Porphyrios, and George. He provides a hagiography for each and then a sizable collection of their quotations where their true humanity shines forth:
"My worst hell is to realize that I have saddened a beloved person." – Elder Epiphanios (79)
"The humble are like nightingales that hide in ravines and spread joy to the souls of men with their sweet songs." – Elder (St.) Paisos (132)
"You should be joyful! Jesus holds a sculptor’s chisel in his hands. He want to make you into a statue for the heavenly palace." – Elder Amphilochios (57)
"Neither should wealth impress you, nor honor, but always walk justly. Eat your bread with your honorable sweat and not through unjust means. The things you gain honorably, do not squander aimlessly. Live honorably and humbly, and as much as possible extend your hands in charity.... Knock on the doors of the poor, the sick, the orphans. You should prefer the homes of the afflicted to the homes of the joyous. If you do good works, you will have a great reward from God."– Elder
(St.) George (189)
The extensive footnotes and glossary are another noteworthy element in the book. These are not scholarly notes, however, but explanatory ones. No reader will be left behind due to unfamiliarity with the terms and concepts presented.
searching for saints in the modern world.
The book opens with an extended essay by Mantzaridis on the place of monastics in the Church, their wherefores and whys. This provides a frame of reference especially for those not familiar with their central role in the Church:
"The perfect monk voluntarily shoulders the universal responsibility for the evil that exists in the world.…Placing himself beneath all people and considering himself the first among sinners, he encounters Christ’s gift as a personal gift. He becomes universal on the level of universal sin and accepts the universal reconciliation with the new life that Christ offers the sinful person…Just as Christ bears within Himself all humanity, so the monk is thus widened and embraces all the world."
(35)
Middleton goes on to create profiles of eight elders, several of whom have been canonized since the book’s publication, including Elders Paisos, Porphyrios, and George. He provides a hagiography for each and then a sizable collection of their quotations where their true humanity shines forth:
"My worst hell is to realize that I have saddened a beloved person." – Elder Epiphanios (79)
"The humble are like nightingales that hide in ravines and spread joy to the souls of men with their sweet songs." – Elder (St.) Paisos (132)
"You should be joyful! Jesus holds a sculptor’s chisel in his hands. He want to make you into a statue for the heavenly palace." – Elder Amphilochios (57)
"Neither should wealth impress you, nor honor, but always walk justly. Eat your bread with your honorable sweat and not through unjust means. The things you gain honorably, do not squander aimlessly. Live honorably and humbly, and as much as possible extend your hands in charity.... Knock on the doors of the poor, the sick, the orphans. You should prefer the homes of the afflicted to the homes of the joyous. If you do good works, you will have a great reward from God."– Elder
(St.) George (189)
The extensive footnotes and glossary are another noteworthy element in the book. These are not scholarly notes, however, but explanatory ones. No reader will be left behind due to unfamiliarity with the terms and concepts presented.
December 24, 2023
The offspring of devout parents from Orthodox Christian communities that take the Faith seriously, these Saints grew in Christ by leaps and bounds into the sort of holy lives that shine so brightly that they can hurt one's eyes! Metaphorically speaking - they put the typical Christians whose lifestyles just slightly simpler and slightly removed from the ways of the world- the vast majority of us (me) - to shame. But also an inspiration to strive toward.
January 1, 2026
This book amazingly displays the presence of holiness found in the Orthodox Church despite being in the midst of an ever increasing world of faithlessness.
This book provides the lives and teachings of modern orthodox elders majority of which are now canonized saints.
This book gives the contemporary orthodox reader hope, that in spite of being in a faithless world the Holy Trinity is present and works through these mighty vessels of grace
This book provides the lives and teachings of modern orthodox elders majority of which are now canonized saints.
This book gives the contemporary orthodox reader hope, that in spite of being in a faithless world the Holy Trinity is present and works through these mighty vessels of grace
March 22, 2023
Beautiful little book full of the wise counsel of several modern Greek elders. Reading books like this help conform one's mind to the holy way of Orthodox Christianity.
August 17, 2016
I read this book in preparation for a series of lectures at The Academy for Spiritual Formation. It's an interesting look at the lives of several Greek Orthodox saints or spiritual leaders. The dedication of these men is something I honor and respect, and the commitment some of them made to the priesthood as children (in one case as an infant) is amazing. I learned a great deal from reading it, and it wasn't technical or difficult. A glossary is included and that helps with unfamiliar terms.
January 11, 2017
Having struggled while reading the lives of contemporary elders (Mt. Athos, Russia, etc.), I found the introductory essay to be very helpful in understanding the concept of leaving the world in order to fully embrace it.
December 31, 2012
Simply excellent. It was like being able to sit with these humbly-serving men and learning from them. There were so many answers to questions I have been seeking.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews