The Orthodox understanding of spirituality cannot be
separated from the content of its history, worship, and way of life.
Elisabeth Behr-Sigel’s introductory work encapsulates the heart of
Orthodox spirituality and two millennia of Christian tradition. She
examines the content of the Christian life beginning with the
Orthodox understanding and use of Scripture, as well as the vitality
of the early Church that produced some of the greatest minds and
heroes of the Faith. She proceeds to trace the development of
asceticism from the deserts of Sinai to the modern use of monastic
wisdom in the West.
This work also includes a chapter by Metropolitan Kallistos
Ware entitled The Power of the Name. Metropolitan Kallistos explores
the nature of silent prayer as well as St. Paul’s admonition to “pray
without ceasing.” Silent prayer is the means by which prayer can
evolve from simply speaking to God, to listening to God. We can
accomplish this, says Ware, by developing the prayer of the heart:
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.”

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