a spiritual portrait of Elder Sophrony, by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos

Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos

wrote this book about Elder Sophrony

as an expression of gratitude

for his long association (17 years)

with the Elder and

 “to share with readers the spiritual wealth

that I unworthily received”. 

The first part of the book is

a spiritual portrait of Elder Sophrony. 

After a brief survey of his theology,

the author examines the Elder’s writings

in the light of the experience of saints

of the Church, particularly St Paul,

St Symeon the New Theologian

and St Gregory Palamas,

thus placing his teaching in a wider context. 

There is a careful analysis

of the Elder’s correspondence

 with David Balfour, which reveals

 “many subtle details of the spiritual life”

but also how

“a genuine spiritual father guides those

entrusted to him”. 

The second part of the book

records what the author learnt and

experienced during visits to the Monastery

of St John the Baptist in meetings and

informal conversations with the Elder

and as a concelebrant at the Divine Liturgy. 

Over the years he carefully recorded

the Elder’s words and amassed

an archive of notes that he publishes here. 

The subjects covered reflect both

Father Sophrony’s and the author’s

personal and pastoral concerns

and include prayer

(particularly the Jesus Prayer);

monasticism and obedience;

 priesthood and the temptations it brings;

giving spiritual guidance;

the problems facing those

who become Orthodox;

and family life. 

The discussions also shed light

on theological issues close

to the Elder’s heart.  

The Elder’s teachings are presented

mostly in his own words,

interspersed with brief accounts

of the author’s impressions

of the blessed life he lived during visits

to the Monastery of St John the Baptist. 

 We see the Elder in church during

the Divine Liturgy and daily services,

in the refectory, and meeting pilgrims. 

The author also describes visits

to the Holy Mountain

to see the places where the Elder lived

and to meet monks following

the same tradition.  

After the chapters arranged chronologically

by year, this part of the book ends

with a collection of undated sayings

of the Elder which were not spoken

directly to the author

but were passed on to him by others.  

The book shows us

a “great hesychast and theologian,

but also a wise, discerning and prophetic

spiritual father”

and brings us closer to the man in Christ. 

http://pelagia.org/index.php