The Arena: Guidelines for Spiritual and Monastic Life [Paperback]

One of the most important and accessible texts of Eastern Orthodox Christian teaching on the spiritual life, this book draws upon the ascetic and mystical doctrine of the Greek Fathers and greats of the Orthodox Christian church. In an age alienated from spiritual culture and rooted in materialism, these teachings pose both a challenge and an invitation to those seeking heightened spirituality. This book is essential reading for anyone who desires a profound spiritual journey based upon an encounter with Christ as God. People often ask me about books. The one I've been recommending most in the last few years isThe Arena, by St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, a Russian Orthodox bishop of the last century who was canonized in 1988. Although written by a rigorous monk for fellow monastics, all Christians possessing the courage and discipline to engage this book with attention and obedience may study it with great profit.   —Fr. Thomas Hopko, dean emeritus, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary

Ignatius Brianchaninovwas a 19th-century monk and the abbot of the St. Sergius Monastery in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is the author ofOn the Prayer of Jesus.Kallistos Timothy Wareis an Orthodox Bishop of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the retired Spalding Lecturer in Eastern Orthodox Studies at Pembroke College, University of Oxford.He is best-known as the author of the classic textThe Orthodox Church.