In late antiquity the rising number of ascetics who joined the priesthood faced a pastoral dilemma. Should they follow a traditional, demonstrably administrativ

What expectations did the women and men living in early monastic communities carry into relationships of obedience and advice? What did they hope to achieve thr

In a culture intrigued by various forms of “spirituality,” this study invites readers to explore the deep, historically rooted resources of the Christian sp

The contemporary Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is in a paradoxical situation: On all levels of Church life, new practices and concepts are considered to belong

For centuries, people have been drawn to the Christian mystics—women and men who have known God in powerful and experiential ways. Mystic Bonfires is for stud