One of the many blessings we have here at St. John the Baptist is Logos Bookstore. Here we can find balance for our spiritual lives, through worship aids such as icons, prayer books, candles and oil lamps, and incense, the writings of the holy fathers, elders and saints, books to encourage and strengthen our faith, gifts to give to strengthen others, and even communion wine to offer for the Divine Liturgy. Never before have we English-speaking Orthodox Christians had so many wonderful writings translated into English and available at one time.
Spiritual reading is an important part of our daily Christian nourishment. Just as our prayer rule nourishes our soul, daily spiritual reading can help guide our thoughts and develop the proper Orthodox mindset to prepare us for difficult times. Reading can help to balance the onslaught of images and sounds that come at us in our daily lives. By reading the church fathers, we can understand in greater detail the “pearl of great price” we have been offered. By reading the lives of the saints and modern elders, we find that their struggles are similar to our own, and we can gain insight and fresh perspective on how to face them. We learn how they grew to become saints and giants in the faith. With this knowledge we can have joy in times of trouble, because we have the same faith and the same tools they had to help them become purified. To read the lives of the twentieth century elders Father Arseny, Elder Cleopa, and Saint Silouan is very inspiring! To read the words of Abba Dorotheos, the sermons of St. John Chrysostom and the struggles of Saint Nectarios can help focus our thoughts, direct our lives, and place our eyes on Christ. Through the examples the Church has given us we have reason to place our hope in HIM who strengthens us.
Just as we need both water and food to nourish our bodies, we need both prayer and holy writings to nourish our spiritual lives. Of course, just as we are to seek spiritual guidance in establishing a prayer rule, we need to seek spiritual guidance about what we read so that we can optimize the opportunity for spiritual growth. Ask your Father Confessor for ideas on what to read, and I am sure he will be more than happy to point you towards some good reading.
