Product Description

The prayer of the heart is a spiritual practice that produces joy, inner peace, and a heart brimming over with love for all creation. This delightful account is the story of one man who sets out to learn the prayer of the heart--also known as the "Jesus prayer"--and how the practice transforms his existence. Its anonymous author was one of the wandering pilgrims who were a regular feature of the Russian countryside from medieval times up until the early twentieth century. Through his eyes we get a charming look at rural life in nineteenth-century Russia, and with him we discover the secret to putting into practice the words of St. Paul: "Pray without ceasing."

This SkyLight Illuminations edition guides you through an abridged version of the text with facing-page annotation explaining all the names, terms, and references for you. Including a glossary of terms as well as an annotated list of other resources, it provides interesting facts, demystifies theological language, and brings the text beautifully to life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #403592 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 138 pages

From Publishers Weekly
A famous 19th-century Russian spirituality text finds new expression in The Way of a Pilgrim: Annotated & Explained, translated by Gleb Pokrovsky. In the story, a wandering mendicant learns the Jesus Prayer ("Jesus Christ, have mercy on me") and becomes utterly transformed by praying it continuously. Pokrovsky's commentary appears on facing pages to the abridged text, explaining issues such as Orthodox liturgical customs and the revitalization of Russian monasticism. This volume is the launch title of SkyLight Paths' SkyLight Illuminations series, which will reissue classic spirituality texts from many different world religions.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian

About the Author
Gleb Pokrovsky is a graduate of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, New York. He lives in Boston.

Customer Reviews

A Most Helpful Edition
I have many copies of this spiritual classic in my home library, but this is the edition that I will stock for our parish book table, given that it provides on facing pages an array of wonderful annotation/explanation for the catechumen and/or the Orthodox-interested seeker. This parallel commentary also provides a wonderful cross-reference between the Pilgrim's journey and the larger tradition of Eastern Christianity, including the writings of the early Fathers and Mothers of the Church.