The Royal Way of the Cross of Our Lord Leading to Eternal Life
The Royal Way of the Cross of Our Lord Leading to Eternal Life
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by Saint John Maximovitch of Tobolsk
with an appendix on The Inevitability of Suffering by New Martyr John of Riga
Paperback
Originally written in 1709 by St John of Tobolsk, this book became very will known and beloved throughout Russia. Because of the obscurity of the original language (part-Slavonic, part-Ukrainian) many requested that it be translated into Russian. This was undertaken by Fr. Clement Sederholm, one of Elder Ambrose of Optina's closest disciples and author of many of the biographies of the elders of Optina monastery.
This book explore's the profound meaning of "bearing one's cross for Christ's sake". An angel speaks to a young woman named Stavrophila. He guides her to an understanding and acceptance of the Christian struggle to bear the sorrows and difficulities of life as a necessary means to purify oneself - heart, mind, will and body.
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I was so happy to see this book in stock and when I came back to write a review I see that it is now out of stock. If in stock, then you should get it due to its magnificence and rarity. This is an all time great. I first saw it mentioned in ascetic literature when reading about the life of Elder Ambrose of Optina. I looked then but couldn't find it. Holy Trinity Church Supplies to the rescue! The book flows so well that once you start you can't put it down. The dialog format between the Angel of the Lord and Stavrophila (meaning lover of the cross) works well. Many scriptural and patristic references throughout. Many passages deserving to be underlined for future meditation. Lines like this are like honey for the solitary, "For many, it is not useful to have friends, especially if while alive they have turned one away from God."