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The Ascetic Of Love
A journey into the heart of Love over 94 years and 4 continents Mother Gavrilia 1897 – 1992 Translated by Helen Anthony 400 pages Porphyra publications
400 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 5, 2023
This book--Ascetic of Love about M. Gavrilia--was recommended to me for years by several people but was out of print. Now it's been reprinted and can be bought in a couple places. I bought one & started finding it to be heretical....
I tried finding if anyone else was noticing that. But not really, at least in the English speaking world. Only when I searched in Greek did I find Priests commenting and that the Diocese of Piraeus issued a warning notice on the book. They have a couple millenia practicing discernment (whereas we in the English speaking world are only learning what that means, we tend to cling to all spiritual experiences without discerning if they are from God or if one is in spiritual delusion (prelest/plani).
In the book it seems to say heretical things but then will try to say she's not heretical. But wouldn't the truth speak more than those arguments.
I remember some of her "visions" in the book included seeing dead Catholic people (Brother Lawrence and Thomas A. Kempis) and Christ's eyes, which looked so much like her eyes she thought they were her own...
She participated in ecumenical religious events in other countries (including the Taize movement), taught syncretism, and had strange spiritual events happen to her...such as--since her time in India--her hands would sometimes begin burning, become red, and she would cry out wishing someone would come by aching so she could release the heat onto them...never ever have I seen that as a "charism" before. There are many such demonic "gifts" though which seek to lead others astray and temporarily "heal".
Do not heed this book. Heed Christ.
Personally, I cannot recommend this book at all. It should be burned.
I tried finding if anyone else was noticing that. But not really, at least in the English speaking world. Only when I searched in Greek did I find Priests commenting and that the Diocese of Piraeus issued a warning notice on the book. They have a couple millenia practicing discernment (whereas we in the English speaking world are only learning what that means, we tend to cling to all spiritual experiences without discerning if they are from God or if one is in spiritual delusion (prelest/plani).
In the book it seems to say heretical things but then will try to say she's not heretical. But wouldn't the truth speak more than those arguments.
I remember some of her "visions" in the book included seeing dead Catholic people (Brother Lawrence and Thomas A. Kempis) and Christ's eyes, which looked so much like her eyes she thought they were her own...
She participated in ecumenical religious events in other countries (including the Taize movement), taught syncretism, and had strange spiritual events happen to her...such as--since her time in India--her hands would sometimes begin burning, become red, and she would cry out wishing someone would come by aching so she could release the heat onto them...never ever have I seen that as a "charism" before. There are many such demonic "gifts" though which seek to lead others astray and temporarily "heal".
Do not heed this book. Heed Christ.
Personally, I cannot recommend this book at all. It should be burned.
July 16, 2023
I cannot endorse this book. Listed among the books that Mother Gavrilia suggested for spiritual instruction was the book The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis who was a Roman Catholic. The Orthodox should not be reading the theologies of heretics. St. Ignatius specifically warned against reading the works of Kempis in his writings, reference here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
It is also addressed in St. Paul's the letter to the Galatians
"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed."
Galatians 1:8
I hope this has helped someone.
It is also addressed in St. Paul's the letter to the Galatians
"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed."
Galatians 1:8
I hope this has helped someone.
December 21, 2024
It was such a blessing to wake up each morning and learn a little bit more about the life of this blessed woman! She was a lovely soul illumined in the light of the spirit, and her gentle teachings were beautiful!
May 15, 2024
What can I say? what could I say other than brilliant!
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Every page convicted me to become a better follower of Christ Jesus
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Every page convicted me to become a better follower of Christ Jesus
January 19, 2025
What a fascinating life this Greek nun lead! I love how different she was from traditional nuns who generally do not travel around the world. Before becoming a nun she decided to renounce money and say “yes” to everything, having faith that God would direct her life. She ended up in India and used her training in physiotherapy to treat those with leprosy. I love how strongly she believed that serving others with love is the best way to preach the gospel. She did not use words, only actions.
“… there is much more to wonder at, to rescue and to love in the ruins of man than in the most magnificent ruins of stone. Courage, faith, patience, endurance, and, above all, hope and joy can take root and blossom in the human heart, if it is given opportunity, if it is given love.”
“Every sigh of the heart, every longing for something that is in the love of God, will certainly be answered by the Lord after a while.”
“What is the use of obeying, if you do not love? What is the use of being a lifeless robot? What is important is to love. Because love, humility, patience are synonyms. I do not obey, I love.”
“… there is much more to wonder at, to rescue and to love in the ruins of man than in the most magnificent ruins of stone. Courage, faith, patience, endurance, and, above all, hope and joy can take root and blossom in the human heart, if it is given opportunity, if it is given love.”
“Every sigh of the heart, every longing for something that is in the love of God, will certainly be answered by the Lord after a while.”
“What is the use of obeying, if you do not love? What is the use of being a lifeless robot? What is important is to love. Because love, humility, patience are synonyms. I do not obey, I love.”
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews