A Night in the Desert of the Holy Mountain

The book A night in the desert of the Holy Mountain was Metropolitan Hierotheos’s first book and is still unsurpassed in inspiration and popularity. In the book A night in the desert of the Holy Mountain he distils his own search for teaching on the Jesus Prayer, which took him to many great spiritual Elders. The book takes the form of a discussion between the author and a holy Elder in the desert of the Holy Mountain. It looks at the stages through which the Jesus Prayer unfolds and at its fruits. We are informed of the dangers that may arise in the course of the Jesus Prayer, including the devil’s complex warfare. The supreme importance of obedience to a spiritual father is emphasised. The basic prerequisite for attracting God’s grace and mercy is to remember the name of God with repentance and humility, and to participate in the Mysteries of the Church.

The book A night in the desert of the Holy Mountain shows that Jesus Prayer is the greatest of sciences, encompassing all the theology of the Orthodox Church, and is indispensable for everyone. For decades this compelling book has helped innumerable people.

ΠΕΡΙΕΧΟΜΕΝΑ

Foreword to the Third Edition

Preface

Introduction

Silence, Speech and the Life of the Monks

Sunset on Mount Athos

Ascending to my own Tabor

Encounter with the Hermit

Discussion with the Gerondas on the Jesus Prayer

- The Significance of the Jesus Prayer

- The Stages of the Jesus Prayer

- Ways of Praying the Jesus Prayer

- The Devil's Warfare and Countering It

- The Advent and Withdrawal of Grace

- The Fruits of the Jesus Prayer

- Errors in Practising the Jesus Prayer and How We Cope with Them

- The Jesus Prayer is Necessary for Clergy and Laymen who Live in the World

- Saying the Jesus Prayer for Others The Requests of the Hermit Midnight in the Desert of Mount Athos

Celebration of the Divine Liturgy

Descent from my own Tabor

Epilogue

Glossary