Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart

by G.E.H. Palmer (translator), E. Kadloubovsky (Translator)

The Philokalia is an important collection of writings by Fathers of the Eastern Church dating from the fourth to the fourteenth century. It exists in three the Greek, complied in the eighteenth century; the Slavonic; and the Russian.

The Russian text, translated by Bishop Theophan the Recluse in the nineteenth century, and consisting of five volumes (with which a sixth is sometimes associated), is the most complete of all three versions. It is the Russian text that has been used in translating into English this selection, which presents a range of Philokalia writings concerning the Jesus Prayer.

Genres: Christianity, Spirituality, Prayer, Religion, Theology, Mysticism

420 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1951

Reviews

[Lidija · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this version of the Philokalia because it's the actual translation of Dobrotolyubye that was so popular in Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also the version that the Pilgrim in The Way of a Pilgrim and the Pilgrim Continues His Way had in his pocket. (It's also the one that is indirectly referenced in Salinger's Franny and Zooey)

Impossible to review a spiritual text like this one, but it's such a beautiful little book. Recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about mysticism in Orthodox Christianity or anyone looking to develop more of a spiritual or meditation practice. If you are interested in the latter, I would recommend that you keep your mind open. There is ancient wisdom in here that will show you how to have a better quality of life by guarding your mind and heart that is applicable to anyone.

If, however, you want to learn more about hesychasm and how to actually do the "prayer of the heart", you should read the following chapters in this order:
1. all Nicephorus the Solitary
2. Gregory of Sinai on "Instructions of Hesychasts"
3. St. Simeon the New Theologian on faith and the three methods of attention and prayer (excellent)
4. The 100 chapters of directions of hesychasts by the monks Callistus and Ignatius

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Philokalia The Complete Text. Compiled by St. Nikodimos of The Holy Mountain and St. Markarios of Corinth”, Volumes I-IV (V forthcoming).

Those unfamiliar with “Philokalia”, can locate much on the web concerning the texts’ history and origin, as developed (compiled) from 4th to 15th century Eastern Christian monastic sources.

My personal opinion is that “Philokalia” is not simply “read”, and then shelved, but is used as a spiritual manual throughout life, as it can, when approached with sincerity, show how the individual “Nous” (Divine “intellect”) can gradually be opened, or rather exalted (“Theosis”).
Herein, is described, sometimes clearly, other times in veiled language, one of the living Paths of Christian esotericism. However, it should be cautioned, that would be students of “Philokalia” really ought to first be well grounded in Eastern Christian theological doctrines. Consequently, reading the contemporary works of people such as Vladimir Lossky and Kallistos Ware might be useful as pre-requisite or concurrent titles.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Philokalia is the masterwork texts of Eastern Orthodox Spirituality and should be read within the context of a monastic life and the church as whole.

[Sea of Tranquility · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It was revealed to Abba Anthony in his desert that there was one who was his equal in the city. He was a doctor by profession and whatever he had beyond his needs he gave to the poor, and every day he sang the Sanctus with the angels.”

[Ietrio · Rating 2 out of 5]

The propaganda writings of the orthodox. Although very polished and well cleaned from the ugly parts it still gives a glimpse into the medieval mind of the oriental christian: misogyny, imaginary friends and a terrible aversion to reason.

[Leonardo]

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