Monastic Wisdom

The Letters of Elder Joseph the Hesycast

     "The waves of thoughts amaze my mind; my tongue grows numb and cannot speak, unable to utter the words in time. The noetic siphons gush forth dew in torrents - however, there is but little soil in our days. The riches of our Lord are many, but unfortunately there are few heirs. To inherit them requires a bloody struggle, but here there is only laziness. Thus I am compelled to open the ducts unto the world; for there is hope that pure souls will receive the word, and then I shall receive the reward of love. So listen to my words, lend me your ears..."

This collection of Elder Joseph the Hesychast’s letters, presented now in English, makes the wealth of his wisdom and experience available to readers from all walks of life. As his extreme ascetical struggles and hesychastic lifestyle unfold throughout the pages, one witnesses his difficult trials and lengthy battles with the demons, his profound visions and inspired spiritual guidance, his martyric endurance in illnesses, and finally his holy repose - leaving one with the certainty that Elder Joseph was a rare example of sanctity for modern times.

421 pages, softbound.