Sergey Fudel. The Way of the Fathers

Introduction
Chapter I. On remembrance of God
Chapter II. On fear of God
Chapter III. On the good fight and grace
Chapter IV. On abstinence and prayer
Chapter V. On love
Chapter VI. On prayer
Chapter VII. On the fruition of hopes
Conclusion
Appendix. On living in the world

Introduction

Tie your weary, burdened boat to the ship of your Fathers, and they'll guide you to Jesus, who alone can give you humility, power, intelligence, the Crown of Thorns and boundless joy. Amen.
- Barsanuphius the Great

'Even those who aren't doing good shall be speaking about it, so that their words bring them shame and move them to also do good works'. These words of St. Nilus of Sinai somewhat justify this my attempt to briefly introduce my readers to the great way of the ascetic Fathers. Their way is that of the Gospel, the way of their Teacher's most faithful students. The more you study their works, the more you breathe the air of the original Christianity. It's due to this evangelical power that their word is also 'living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword'.

The works of the Fathers have become the primary guide for those who seek salvation. <...> By reading them, we're communing with the Holy Spirit who abides in the Fathers.
- St. Ignatius Branchaninov

It's impossible to deny that the spiritual life of the modern man is quite difficult. This difficulty lies in the fact that we, weak and careless people, are called to maintain an unceasing remembrance of God in the world that surrounds us.

Of course, it has always been dangerous to think that remembrance of God should be confined to when we are attending the liturgy. We must always have prayer in our souls, be it at church, at home or in the street. That's what the Christian narrow path means; that we must remember God always.

St. Isaac the Syrian said:

The way of God is a daily cross. No one has ascended into heaven by means of ease... God's way can only ever be paved with death and the cross. Such is the will of the Spirit that whoever loves Him should be in spiritual toil.

Yet the more clamour is around us, the harder it is to remember God. Yet that is our duty, if we want to ensure 'the great idea would not die', that the history of the Christian way would not be interrupted. 'Remembrance of God is the source of all power', according to St. Theophan the Recluse.

The Fathers said: 'The life of the soul is unceasing remembrance and love of God' (St. Anthony the Great).

The entirety of the Fathers' teaching is about this life of the soul.

Table of contents

Introduction