Russian Spirituality
Presentation: September 12, 2009
Fr. Thomas Hopko, Ph.D.
Brief Description of Presentation
Fr. Hopko will introduce the Russian Orthodox spiritual tradition generally, showing the integral relationship in Eastern Orthodox Christianity between theology, liturgy and spiritual life. He will also speak on modern Russian Orthodox spirituality, concentrating on the practical teachings of St. Theophan the Recluse, St. Ignatius Brianchaninov and the Russian Elder St. Silouan of Mount Athos. He will refer to the anonymous Russian tale about the Jesus Prayer, The Way of the Pilgrim. And he will also introduce two 20th century Russian saints of the type of Mother Teresa of Calcutta: St. Elizabeth the Grand Dutchess and New Martyr who was murdered by the Bolsheviks in Russia and St. Maria Skobtsova, a Russian émigré nun who worked among the poor in France and perished in the Nazi concentration camp in Ravensbruck for protecting Jews.
Prayer Exercise
Centering Prayer
Preparation for Session and Bibliography
In preparation for the presentation, read: "Prayer and the Spiritual Life" by Thomas Hopko.
The Way of the Pilgrim, English translation by Olga Savin with an introduction by Thomas Hopko, Boston, Shambala Publishing House. (The introduction may be helpful as an introduction to the Orthodox spiritual tradition generally.)
St. Silouan the Athonite, Introduction and extended commentary by Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov. Crestwood, NY, St. Vladimir’s Press. Essex, England, St. John the Baptist Monastery. (The Elder Sophrony’s long commentary on St. Silouan may be a bit difficult, especially at first reading, but the deceptively simple writings of St. Silouan himself are an excellent example of this spiritual tradition.)
The
Art of Prayer.
Edited by Archimandrite Chariton.
Texts on Prayer mostly from the writings of St. Theophan the Recluse.
Not sure of present publisher. (This is probably the best introduction on the subject available in English.)
The Arena: An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism by St. Ignatius (Ignaty) Brianchaninov. Translated into English by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore. Jordanville, NY, Holy Trinity Monastery. (The sections in this excellent 19th century synthesis of Eastern Orthodox spirituality on spiritual reading, spiritual guidance, asceticism, personal prayer and spiritual delusion are especially instructive.)
Other helpful introductory writings include:
An excellent introduction to the Russian Orthodox Christian sacramental worldview in relation to modern secularization is the now somewhat dated classic by Fr. Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World.
Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, Vladimir Lossky
Of Water and the Spirit, Alexander Schmemann
The Eucharist, Alexander Schmemann
A Treasury of Russian Spirituality, Georges Fedotov
All the Fulness of God, Thomas Hopko
These books should be available from St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY
or Light and Life Publishing, Minneapolis, MN.
About Fr. Thomas Hopko, Ph.D.
Thomas Hopko is Dean Emeritus at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY. He was Professor of Dogmatic Theology and Spirituality at the school, teaching there since 1968 and serving as Dean from 1992 until his retirement in 2002. He has written a number of books on Orthodox theology and spirituality (see below) as well as a popular catechetical handbook in four volumes The Orthodox Faith, now in 17 languages. He also contributed to Speaking of Silence: Christians and Buddhists on the Spiritual Way. He has produced many CDs on the spiritual life, and now also provides regular podcasts on the internet at ancientfaithradio.com. He is an ordained priest in the Orthodox Church, holding the rank of Protopresbyter with over 40 years of priestly service. Married to Anne Schmemann in 1963, the Hopkos have 5 married children and 16 grandchildren.
Fr Thomas' academic preparation included:
His books include:
Christian Faith and Same-Sex Attraction: Eastern Orthodox Reflections (Conciliar Press, 2006)
During his career he served as: