Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

Modern Spirituality

by Anthony Bloom, Anthony of Sourozh, Gillian Crow

For over fifty years, Anthony Bloom (1914-2003 was head of the russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain (Patriarchate of Moscow). Arriving in Britain in 1949 he played a major part of ecumenical work and exerted a wide influence through his broadcasts, writings (he is the author of several spiritual classics), and reputation as a spiritual leader. His writings reflect both the essence of Orthodoxy and his own experience of the struggle to live Christianity on a daily basis.

Genres: Theology, Russia, Christianity

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1988

About the author

Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh was a prominent writer and broadcaster on prayer and the Christian life, as well as the founder and leader of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh.

See also: Antonie de Suroj, Anthony of Sourozh, Antonijus Surožietis, Антоний Сурожский, Anthony van Sourozh, Антоний Сурожки

Reviews

[Evan Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read different chapters of this book as kind of a devotional here and there over the last few years. I will return to this book again more in the future. It is really just smatterings of his thinking about different issues, so it's really not a very smooth read, and should I think be used depending on circumstance. For example, you could read his Lenten or Paschal readings at that time of year. He didn't write much down, so there are mostly just sermons that were written down after the fact.

That said, I love this man's work and thinking. For all Orthodox that I know, he aligns most with my thinking as a non-Orthodox person, with a very down to earth view of reaching people and even willingness to allow women to serve in leadership in the church.

I hope his life and work are not forgotten too much because of his lack of writing.

[Ali M · Rating 5 out of 5]

5*****Stars

This collection of writings by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom left me heart happy and inspired. His writing is friendly and simple, direct and relevant. He cuts through the extraneous in a way that is refreshing. There is no waffling in his advice.

I found myself underlining, starring, and placing check marks next to so much in this book. Metropolitan Anthony’s writing really spoke to me and answered many of the questions I had about how to navigate modernity.

I finished the book with a satisfaction and light heartedness that I cannot adequately describe. This book is a compilation of Metropolitan Anthony’s writings and I’m looking forward to reading more of his books.

[w gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Metropolitan Anthony brings the Orthodox Way down to earth, where we live. He was the bishop of contemporary western people, but also a Russian who had lived in a country whose heritage was Orthodox Christian. He brought these two perspectives together, communicating the Faith in an especially clear way to me, an American Orthodox Christian.