Books on Gnosis and related themes

[A. Marinis]

I have been given a copy of Boris Mourvavieff's "Gnosis - Study and Commentaries on Esoteric Tradition of Eastern Orthodoxy", to read.

I have been told that the Orthodox Church does not 'recognize' this book - which lessens my 'appetite' to read the book.

Has anyone read this book or have any comments regarding it? Is it helpful to read or would it be better to disregard it?

[Owen Jones]

In some ways there is no such thing as "the" Orthodox Church -- there are so many different jurisdications. But there is certainly no central body which says what you should or should not read. That would be between you and your spiritual father.

Owen Jones

[Moses Anthony]

There's two books which I've read that I've got to re-read, to at least begin to understand what I'm reading. Those books are: The Mystic Theology of The Eastern Church, by Vladimir Lossky, and The Communion of Love, by Matthew The Poor.

I've not heard of the book you mentioned, or its author Boris Mourvavieff. I've not been a convert to Orthodoxy very long so there's not much I can say about the man, or how he's viewed officially in the Church. The best "bet" for where you are would be to talk to your priest,or spiritual father and follow their counsel. They would know you better than anyone in this group.

An unworthy servant,
(Aus)
Moses

[A. Marinis]

Thank you for your advice. I noted that I spelt the author's name incorrectly - it is Boris
Mouravieff. Regardless, I've decided that it is better to keep things simple and not read the book. I reckon find enough inspiration and guidence from the scriptures and lives of the saints.

Perhaps I've not reached the stage where I would understand the book anyway.

Thank you again for your kind advice.

[Philip Kontos]

Glory to Jesus Christ,

I would not recommend those books on the grounds that the premise that there is an "esoteric" Orthdoxy is a false one. The True Teachings of Orthodoxy are open to all. Also this author has been linked to the teachings of Gurdjieff. In fact he (Mouravieff)claimed that Gurdjieff was teaching a less pure version of what he was teaching, namely "esoteric" Orthodox Christianity.

Plus the publisher is, I believe, a "new age" publisher.

in XC,
Reader Philip

[Moses Anthony]

A. Marinis,
You're welcome. However, I think that it's advice I've heard from my parish priest. Like the Early Church I'm just passing along the good stuff from my surroundings!

Aus,
Moses

[Theron Mathis]

Most of the posts in this area revolve around didactic or theological reading material. Alongside this type of fruitful reading, Orthodox fictional literature is of great interest to me.

For example, the Orthodox novelist, Dostoevsky has written works that are moving, redemptive, and spiritually enlightening.

Are there any other representatives of other Orthodox lands that could compare with Orthodox Russia's Dostoevsky?

Also, does anyone know of any modern Orthodox writers that are trying to influence culture through fiction. Frank Schaeffer would be the only person that comes to mind in America. Although it has been sometime since he has released any new books.

Everyone on this message seems to yearn for Orthodoxy not only to transform themselves, but their culture as well. Fiction, poetry, and other forms of literature seem to be viable modes of communicating God's truth to a jaded world. Owen has mentioned before the need for a contemporary Orthodox voice that speaks to postmodernity. Has anyone found such a voice in fiction, whether they be well-known or not?

Also, can anyone in traditional Orthodox lands speak for any writers there?

God Bless,

Theron

[Martin Graives]

Mr. Mathis,

I think that it would be hard for any Orthodox writer to compare with Dostoyevsky. I think "The Brothers Karamazov" is the greatest Christian fiction book of all time.

--Martin

[Andreas Prodromou]

Theron,

in addition to Dostoyevsky you have Alexander Papadiamantis from Greece (1851-1911). He's called by many as the 'Saint' of Greek letters. He wrote something like 4 novels and more than 150 short stories soome of which have been translated into English.

Andreas

[M.C. Steenberg]

Andreas mentioned the works of A. Papadiamantes. Among the English translations of his works are the nice texts:

Papadiamantes, Alexandros, The Murderess (Gr. He phonissa), English trans. by Levi, Peter (London/New York: Writers and Readers, 1983). Available via out-of-print search via Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0904613941/qid=1025437442/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-2746909-4775116)

-----, Tales from a Greek Island, English trans. with introduction and notes by Constantinides, Elizabeth (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, c1987). Available in-stock from Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0801848466/qid=1025437330/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-2746909-4775116)

INXC, Matthew

[Theron Mathis]

Thanks for the reading ideas so far.

I offered Frank Schaeffer as a possibility for a contemporary American Orthodox novelist. Because of this tacit endorsement, let me give a brief review of his two works of fiction--Portofino & Saving Grandma.

Both of these books are extremely entertaining, and I found myself laughing out loud at times. If you are a convert from conservative Protestantism, you will find them especially amusing. However, this is one of the downfalls of the novels. While entertaining they fail to present a clear Orthodox worldview, but serve more as a polemic against the Calvinistic upbringing of Mr. Schaeffer. Perhaps this was his purpose, and if so he accomplished it. The only other major criticism I would give is that these books should be only read by adults. There is a little too much adolescent sexuality in the book for my tastes. The second book definitely went over the line in this area.

Theron

[Theron Mathis]

One other modern Orthodox writer of literature that I forgot to mention was Solzenitsyn <sic>.

he had more influence on western scoiety during the Communist era, and has seemed to disappear post-USSR, but many of his books set forth an Orthodox worldview.

In fact, my priest claims that it was the Gulag Archipelago that forced him to take his Christianity seriously, and woke him up to the eternal seriousness of life.

Has anyone read any of his newest books that chronicle the Russian Revolution.

God Bless,

Theron Mark

[Andonis Saridopoulos]

i have just received two fantastic book i would like to reccomend:

1) Orthodox Psychotherapy

2) The mind of the Orthodox Church

both by Metropolitan of Nafpaktos Hierotheos. the web site to go to is www.Pelagia.org (http://www.Pelagia.org)
i was amazed at how quickly i received them after sending an international cheque to Greece, the books where with me in Australia in two weeks. Fantastic reading...