FAITH & CULTURE - BOOK NOTES

• My Life in Christ - St John of Kronstadt


Now in its fourth hard cover printing, this is one of the most beloved modern works of Orthodox Christian spirituality. It is a reflection of the profound spiritual experience and elevated theological reflection of its author, St. John of Kronstadt. Appropriate both for beginners and for those more experienced, no one can come away from reading this work without profit. This is the kind of book you will return to time and again.


• Everyday Saints - Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov)


From the author: "In this book I want to tell you about this beautiful new world of mine, where we live by laws completely different from those in "normal" worldly life - a world of light and love, full of wondrous discoveries, hope, happiness, trials and triumphs, where even our defeats acquire profound significance: a world in which, above all, we can always sense powerful manifestations of divine strength and comfort."


• A Mirrored World: Novel - Debra Dean


Xenia, falls in love with Andrei, a charismatic soldier. Their happiness is overshadowed by the demands of court life. After a tragic event, Xenia descends into grief, undergoing a life-altering transformation. Turning from family and friends, she gives all her money to the poor, and one day, mysteriously vanishes. Years later, Xenia reappears among the paupers of St. Petersburg. In this evocative tale, the author reimagines the intriguing life of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg, one of Russia's most beloved holy figures.


• A Christian Ending - Mark & Elizabeth Barna


This handbook for burial in the ancient Christian tradition provides details on the ancient practice of the Orthodox Church of preparing a body for burial, and performing a vigil and funeral. The book grew out of serious questions about the profit-driven funeral industry and the cult of body preservation. A fascinating Orthodox perspective for those who long to see a return to dignified, Christian attention to the care of our Orthodox departed.


• Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives - Elder Thaddeus


Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica was one of the most renowned spiritual guides of Serbia in the twentieth century. Fr. Thaddeus learned the Prayer of the Heart from a disciple of the Optina Elders, and the selfless love that came to characterize his whole ministry to the suffering Serbian people. He reposed in 2002, leaving behind this collection of his teachings, preserved by his faithful spiritual children.