The Joy of the Holy: Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Orthodox Spiritual Life
Overview
“The goal of Christian life is the acquisition of the grace of the Holy Spirit.” This popular saying of St. Seraphim of Sarov serves as the basis for his teaching on the spiritual life—especially relevant for the faithful of contemporary society who strive to lead spiritual lives. Today, his teaching is attracting a remarkable amount of attention, due to the very practical way he presents the heights of Orthodox Christian spiritual life as being open and accessible to all. He asserts that whatever one’s status in life or position within the Church, every faithful member of the body of Christ possesses the same potential for acquiring the grace of the Holy Spirit. Explore the teaching of St. Seraphim with Harry Boosalis’ accessible guide.
Key Features
- Offers a systematic study of St. Seraphim of Sarov’s teaching
- Presents the spiritual life as being open and accessible to all
- Provides a practical guide and introduction to Orthodox spirituality
Top Highlights
“‘But how,’ I asked bátiushka Fr. Seraphim, ‘can I know that I am in the grace of the Holy Spirit?’” (Page 113)
“Have peace in your heart and thousands around you will be saved.” (Page 16)
“‘Prayer, fasting, vigils, and all other Christian practices, however good they may be in and of themselves, do not constitute the true goal of our Christian way of life. They only serve as the indispensable means of attaining it. The true goal of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. Fasting, keeping vigil, prayers, and charity, as well as every other good deed done for the sake of Christ, are but the means through which we may acquire the Holy Spirit of God.” (Page 94)
“What does it matter bátiushka, that I am a monk and you are a layman? What God requires is a true faith in Him and in His Only-Begotten Son. In return, He generously bestows the grace of the Holy Spirit from Heaven. The Lord seeks hearts filled with love for God and for one’s neighbor.” (Pages 118–119)
“‘People didn’t see God and the grace of His Holy Spirit in dreams, or while asleep, or in the excitement of their imagination, but openly and in plain view! We have become so inattentive to the matter of our own salvation that we no longer understand the message of the Holy Scripture! In the pride of our intellect, we no longer seek out the grace of God. Because of this, we do not allow Him a place to dwell in our souls. This is why we are not illumined by the light that the Lord continues to send into the hearts of those who truly hunger and thirst for His righteousness.” (Page 104)
Praise for the Print Edition
This particular work is significant in that it is structured as a systematic study of his spiritual teaching. Presented as a patristic analysis in comparison with similar teachings of the Church Fathers, this book also serves as an ideal introduction to Orthodox spiritual life. The very practical and applicable approach of the author will appeal to all readers regardless of their level of spiritual progress. Whether one is already familiar with the teachings of the ascetic Fathers, or whether one is a beginner with a new thirst for knowledge and prayer, the interests of each and every reader will be inspired by this book.
—Bishop Hermon, Bishop of Philadelphia, Eastern Pennsylvania Rector, St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary
- Title: The Joy of the Holy: Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Orthodox Spiritual Life
- Author: Harry Boosalis
- Publisher: St. Tikhon’s Seminary Press
- Print Publication Date: 1993
- Logos Release Date: 2015
- Pages: 167
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Serafim, Sarovskii, Saint, 1759-1833; Russkaia pravoslavnaia tserkov’ › Biography; Christian saints › Russia--Biography; Spiritual life › Orthodox Eastern Church
- ISBNs: 1878997394, 9781878997395
- Resource ID: LLS:JYHLYSNTSPRTLLF
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:09:56Z