Dear Readers, since I did not meet my fundraising goal a few months ago in the Spring, and currently am facing a bit of a financial burden that may hinder me from working on this website for a while within a few days, I thought it would be best to appeal to your help to meet my goal at this time. My work here depends on your help, so if you find it beneficial or of interest, please send your financial support. It is greatly appreciated.



Goal: $220 or $3000

October 8, 2014

Book Review: "The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society"


These thirteen lectures by Archbishop Averky, former Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, were delivered shortly after the end of World War II in Western Europe to help introduce the Orthodox method of asceticism as a means of healing and transformation of the human person to the modern world not acquainted with it. It accomplishes its goal and is an excellent book of introduction for those who desire to root out evil and the passions within us in order to live a life of virtue in Christ.

Below are the contents of the book:

Preface: The Essence and Meaning of Asceticism

1. Self-asserting Pride and Christian Humility

2. The Importance of Spiritual Discernment

3. Gospel Love and Humanistic Altruism

4. Acquiring Gospel Love

5. Reawakening our Conscience

6. The Christian Understanding of Freedom

7. Guarding the Heart Amidst the Distractions of Life

8. Resisting Evil

9. Waging Unseen Warfare

10. Christian Struggle

11. The Holy Fathers on Combating the Passions

12. Pastoral Asceticism

This book can be acquired from Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York - here.

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