Discourses from Holy Scripture on the Tenets of Christian Orthodoxy

The Truth of Our Faith #1

by Cleopa Ilie, Archimandrite Joseph of Xeropotamou Monastery on Mount Athos (preface)

In nearly one thousand references and explanations of Holy Scripture, Elder Cleopa answers the questions of inquirers on such subjects as: the presuppositions of personal salvation, the study of Holy Scripture, the veneration of icons, relics, the saints and angels, the Virgin Mary, the True Cross, the offering of prayer for the dead, the Second Coming of Christ, His thousand-year regin, speaking in tongues, and the keeping of the Lord's feast on Sunday instead of Saturday. Nineteen discourses, a preface by Athonite Abbot Joseph of Xeropotamou, a brief biography of the author, over thirty photos and icons, and a scriptural index make this book an ideal introduction to "The Truth of Our Faith for every seeker of Christian Orthodoxy.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Christianity, Theology, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Father Cleopa Ilie (10 April 1912 - 2 December 1998) was an abbot of the Sihastria Monastery. He was a well-known spiritual representative of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Cleopa Ilie (lay name: Constantin) was born in Suliţa, Botoşani to a family of peasants. He was the fifth of ten children born to Alexandru Ilie. He attended the primary school in his village. Afterwards he was an apprentice for three years to the monk Paisie Olaru, who lived in seclusion at the Cozancea hermitage.

Published work

-Despre credinţa ortodoxă ("About Orthodox Faith", Bucuresti, 1981, 280 pages, republished in 1985, then in Galaţi under the title: Călăuza în credinţa ortodoxă, "Guide to the Orthodox Faith", 1991, 276 pages);
-Predici la praznice împărăteşti şi sfinti de peste an ("Sermons on Religious Feasts Over the Year", Ed. Episcopiei Romanului, 1986, 440 pages);
-Predici la Duminicile de peste an (Sermons on Sundays Over the Year, Ed. Episcopiei Romanului, 1990, 560 pages);
Valoarea sufletului (Value of the Soul, Galaţi, 1991, 176 pages, republished in Bacău, 1994, 238 pages);
-Urcuş spre înviere (predici duhovniceşti) ("Ascent Towards Resurrection (Spiritual Sermons)", Mănăstirea Neamţ, 1992, 416 pages);
-Despre vise şi vedenii ("About Dreams and Visions", Bucureşti, 1993, 270 pages);
-Numerous articles in different magazines and newspapers, sermons in manuscript

Reviews

[Daniel Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. Elder Cleopa educates us concerning the important truths of our Orthodox Faith through a dialogue and series of questions and answers. It provides us with deeper knowledge of the basic tenets while providing enquirers with reasons why we believe as we do.

[Scipio Africanus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for enquirers into orthodoxy. It addresses many protestant objections and arguments directly. Not a hard read, not dull either. I think people with more knowledge of Orthodox theology might find it a bit basic.

[EC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Elder Cleopa! God help us all.

[Henri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every Orthodox

[Lisa Wuertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Q&A format was a little hard to get into at first. Overall a pretty good introduction to Orthodoxy answering many of the questions those from other confessions put forth. However, not necessarily a book I'd recommend a non-Orthodox reading that is asking questions, rather to be used as a reference for formulating answers to questions. Pretty heady in many places.