Life-Changing Orthodox Books 1: St Silouan the Athonite

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[@isni261]

a monk on mounth athos told me to buy this book, seven years ago. since then I'm reading this book every day, just like bible, the pages have even turned yellow. Saint Justin Popovich said, a book like this comes once in one hundred years. I'm not the one who should said something, but I think this book solves all questions, totally. I have read many books from the holy fathers, but I have never ever seen a holy Saint writing so much about humility and about the love to enemies and to all people, just like Saint Siluan did it.. he said the only important thing is, to humble ourselves, since pride is disturbing us to love... wow. after reading this book I'm just praying to Christ to give me humility and love for everybody and nothing else I want in my life. sorry for my bad englisch, God bless you father one hundred times, thank you for your love and your effort, I'm watching all of your videos! greetings from serbia .. We suffer because we have no humility and we do not love our brother. From love of our brother comes the love of God. People do not learn humility, and because of their pride cannot receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, and therefore the whole world suffers. St. Siluan

[@siddharthabanerjee6155]

Glory to God for all things. I am especially feeling irritable and angry today, and it is almost by coincidence that I clicked on this video. When you read St. Silouan's passage, it cut me to the heart. Thank you very much for this greatly edifying video, father.

[@tekzadok8413]

Father this is the exact kind of series I'm needing, thank you

[@VaninFoley]

True that!

[@kathyw7303]

Thank you Father!

[@constanceconstance2555]

Thank you Father

[@MyCorrectOpinion]

I started reading the book on Saint Paisios before I even became Orthodox (out of pure curiosity) and it was essential to my eventual conversion.

[@alephzahir5608]

St Silouan made me feel bad about how much I love dogs more than people.. Lord Have Mercy! life changing indeed! May we have his prayers to help us with our misanthropy

[@stevemcgee99]

Dogs are totally awesome. But they are not our children. Although they may be “man’s best friend” they shouldn’t be _a_ man’s best friend.

[@dancorlateanu2214]

​@@stevemcgee99man should be man's best friend, but instead Homo homini lupus, unfortunately.

[@birdlynn417]

No, animals are my first, and because they have only been my first and who has loved me. I thank God for my love for animals, and that I too was loved by my animals, my cats, dogs, and other homeless cats which I have fed and cared for for years ect... it is by their love which has enriched this heart of mine when family, friends, and people did not give to me.

[@dancorlateanu2214]

The book is truly special, thank you for taking the time to recommend it. Looking forwards towards the next decades of actually 1. internalizing and 2. applying its content 😊

[@Chrisc-sn6uh]

I finished reading this book last week its been truly a blessing! Glory to God

[@birdlynn417]

My reading is always so sporadic...I love it when I do, and yet I realized how little I really am reading when I could be reading so much more.

[@birdlynn417]

When it is misfortune over and over again, one gets weary, and really, needs to be uplifted from the pain rather than continue to only find peace in consolation through our prayers. One craves action and change and relief.

[@xixellonje]

Saint Silouan the Athonite has changed my life to the core. I never experienced Christ the same way as before I read his book. I had fallen deeply in love with Christ without realising it, but Saint Silouan awoke that realisation. It is one of my favourite Saints.

[@birdlynn417]

Thank you, for that comment.

[@ryrocks9487]

I was given this book to read from my Godmother, I'm really looking forward to it.

[@birdlynn417]

As a woman, it is more complex I think, because when we go through pregnancy and give birth and attend to our children in so many ways for many years, you have the habits and practice of putting them first all the time and your focus is different. Now that I am older, and that my children have abandoned me, I live with chronic pain while still attending my needs for myself, on bus, ect. but it very difficult to get to an Orthodox church it is far away. I wish I could just focus on faith better and moving on in my life with more energy and opportunity, but living alone and managing chronic pain due to back disability is really wearisome, although I want to be free and still try to be free. I need to live a simpler life even in faith and with my Christian sisters and brothers, but I am still very much alone. I do appreciate these good teachings, lessons, and instruction. I wish I could be more present with you all in church.

[@vaporizejello]

As a new Orthodox I always find myself aksing 'when did they live?' (what years) when my Parish friends tell me about Saints. Anyway, I will add this to my list! I recently finished Your Thoughts Determine Your Life and it was absolutely amazing. (edit: 1866-1938 haha)

[@krista_ojeda]

Would you share your list? I am looking for books to read. I am new into Orthodoxy. 🙏

[@ThomasG_Nikolaj]

​@krista_ojeda in regards to theology the three I'd recommend are: The Religion of the Apostles - Fr. Stephen De Young Orthodox Dogmatic Theology - Fr. Michael Pomazansky The mystical theology of the eastern church - Vladimir Lossky. In regards to spiritual writings: Wounded by Love - St. Porphyrios St. Paisios of Mount Athos (the yellow book) The Garden of the Holy Spirit: St. Iakovos of Evia

[@krista_ojeda]

@@ThomasG_Nikolaj Thank you so much! ❤

[@stevemcgee99]

4:36 what a great method for note-taking! Lightweight (not cumbersome and easy to implement), and the notes stay with the book- very easy to find years later.

[@RootsofOrthodoxy]

Thank you Father I’ll add this to my list !

[@MyCorrectOpinion]

So many priests are interviewed on your channel, but who actually owns it?

[@JohnBloggart]

I choose Silouan as my name, after reading this during my catechism

[@VaninFoley]

When I graduated HS some 50 years ago, I had never read a single book outside of my school textbooks -- none! Then one day a friend handed me a book by Thomas Merton, a RC Trappist Monastic. My life had never been the same as ever since then I am a rabid reader of all things religious. I converted to Orthodoxy two years ago and have read every Orthodox book I can get my hands on! Thank you so much for this series as I am open to hearing about new Orthodox books to engorge!

[@birdlynn417]

That's refreshing! 😀

[@feeble_stirrings]

My patron Saint! O holy Saint Silouan, please pray to God for us! “O Lord, Thou seest how weak is my soul without Thy grace, and nowhere at rest. Do Thou, our delight, our Heavenly Father, give us strength to love Thee. Give us Thy holy fear in which the cherubim tremble and love Thee. Thou art our Light, enlightening the soul to love Thee with an insatiable love. Thou takest from me Thy grace because my soul does not ever dwell in humility, but Thou seest mine affliction, and I entreat Thee, give me Thy humble Holy Spirit.” - St. Silouan

[@user-fp8ck8be3n]

I am so excited for this series!! Just as I was looking to integrate more orthodox books into my reading. Thank you Father, can’t wait for the next videos

[@LadderOfDescent]

Same here. St Porphyrios and St Silouan were the first saints I made that connection with that transcends my explanation.

[@Psalm91ArmorUp]

Father, a good followup to your book recommendation videos should be about battling being BUSY. :)

[@sodalish]

Thank you for your diligence and sharing of this gem. Book is on order and am looking forward to going deeper. Much love from Canada. Father bless

[@vinnylc]

Thank you Father for another amazing video. May the Lord bless you and your family all you days. ❤☦️ Maranatha

[@meangreenmememachine2890]

thank you for the recommendation father! ✋🙂

[@JHGSP]

Im always wanting more Orthodox books to read as i have found great wisdom from a few books so far. Thank you for sharing, Father. I look forward to seeing what other books you recommend. I bought and am reading The Field from St Ignatius Brianchaninov thanks to one of your videos. I'll pick this one up too.

[@user-qy5tw7yx1b]

Thank you for this new series.We really need it.

[@Mahat70]

Such an undervalued channel. Really looking forward to this series. ☦️☦️☦️

[@ivanbravo347]

Thank you Fr for this channel.

[@orthodox1717]

Geronda Paisios of St. Anthony Monastery recommended I read this book. 🙏

[@theresamason5506]

Thankyou Father.☦️

[@mrsapostate]

Thank you, Father Paul. May God bless you.

[@MrMC313]

Bless you Fr Paul

[@TerenceHoefdraad]

On my list now 🙂

[@Templar_Infinite_Infidel]

Will get a copy asap

[@SilouanSea]

I agree 100% with everything you say here, Father. Except, maybe it takes us slower learners longer than a couple of months to read it. I've actually been reading this book nonstop since I got it a few years ago.

[@krista_ojeda]

I was looking for books to read to inspire me since I recently “discovered” Orthodoxy. I do wonder if this book is for women as well. Since written by a man on an island with men in a religious atmosphere of only men. I, as a woman, would appreciate if you could highlight some books especially for women. Thank you so much for your channel. It’s a great inspiration to a new seeker.

[@birdlynn417]

I know it. How simpler it must be for men whose bodies are not made to cradle a baby, give birth to a child, and spend 18 years and more on loving and caring for them. Then they also don't have the body which could have a fallen bladder, fallen uterus, ect. but that they are simpler made and could concentrate on serving the lord with their bodies in a healthy condition. Trying to live your life with a chronic condition is like walking with a ball and chain everyday. Women, or mothers who have been rejected by their children in today's world is more common and is a very painful outcome and life experience. Yet, the love and relationship with and for Jesus and God trumps it all.

[@katerinafarlikova3807]

oh, this is a russian author (sacharov), I found an original book immediately. good, I'm able to read far more quickly in my native language

[@Christus.Rex.Dominus]

I’m reading “On the Holy Spirit” by St Basil the Great and I’m struggling. I’m halfway through and sometimes I feel as though I’m reading, but my mind isn’t absorbing anything. Y’all have any tips for me?

[@juandavidguarnizogutierrez4566]

That's hard! when i read it i struggle a lot as well i would recommend reading it while as well watching some videos or analysis about the text and read about his life in that way its a little bit easy to grasp the theology behind it, God bless!

[@ThomasG_Nikolaj]

David Erhan has a good video about that text

[@Sammy-lv5gw]

You need to qualify your stance on Disney. Your cheeky reference to "Disney animals", flys in the face of Disney's letting homosexuals ride bikes in front of children!

[@HopeUnknown]

Are there any by women?

[@KarlGottshalk]

Just starting “Words of the Heart” by Gerondissa Makrina Vassopoulou (who was under the spiritual guidance of Joseph the Hesychast until his death, then Elder Ephraim of Arizona). It was highly recommended to me.

[@birdlynn417]

@@KarlGottshalk Wow, this is a beautiful book, I am ordering it now from Amazon. Thank you.