Contemporary Ascetics of Mount Athos Vol.1

Surrounded by the tranquil Mediterranean countryside of the Holy Mountain, the ascetics of Mount Athos struggle in “unseen warfare” to achieve a state of inner silence and purity. The only monastic republic in the world, Mount Athos has been inhabited solely by monks for more than a thousand years, setting the tone of Orthodox Christian spirituality worldwide and producing a continuous stream of saints.

“Do not forget that virtue is something hidden … mystically cultivated in the recesses of the heart.” — Elder Callinicus the Hesychast

Contemporary Ascetics of Mount Athos describes the lives and the spiritual images of ten Athonite Elders of recent centuries, who, although differing greatly from each other in their backgrounds, characters and ways of life, all bear the evident seal of the presence of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, testifying to a troubled world that the purpose of man’s existence is union with God.

“Study, my child, to acquire in your life dignity, simplicity, understanding, continuous prayer, manliness, unfeigned love, wisdom, seemliness. Be sympathetic, love the poor. Attain silence and patient endurance. Do not slander, do not laugh at anyone. Acquire angerlessness, modesty, and humility, so that the Lord will glorify you before the angels and the saints.” — Elder Athanasius of Grigoriou Monastery.

The author, Archimandrite Cherubim Karambelas (†1979), lived on Mount Athos in his youth, and searched out firsthand sources and living witnesses for his information on these Elders. In Contemporary Ascetics of Mount Athos, the most exalted teachings on asceticism and the vision of God are seen practically applied in the persons of these new luminaries, stars in our midst.