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The Syriac Fathers on Prayer and the Spiritual Life (Cistercian Studies Series) (Volume 101) Paperback – November 1, 1987
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length437 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateNovember 1, 1987
- Dimensions5.5 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-100879079010
- ISBN-13978-0879079017
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Editorial Reviews
Review
. . . an outstanding introduction to a little-known region in the history of spirituality, as well as a wise store of practical counsel for those seeking to pray more deeplyChurch History
. . . provides a badly needed general introduction to the tangled history of Oriental Christianity . . .Journal of Roman Studies
Product details
- Publisher : Cistercian Publications (November 1, 1987)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 437 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0879079010
- ISBN-13 : 978-0879079017
- Item Weight : 1.2 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #770,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #259 in Christian Monasticism & Asceticism (Books)
- #261 in Monasticism & Asceticism
- #2,072 in Prayer (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book offers spiritual insights and wisdom from the Syriac Fathers. They appreciate the humility of heart and the approach to a deeper and more loving relationship with God. The words have a special quality, a lyrical quality, and eschatological vision. Readers describe the commentaries as brief yet insightful, helping present the sufficient content.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book enlightening. They say it provides spiritual insights from the Syriac Fathers about humility and love. The book offers wisdom and insight into a deeper, more loving relationship with God.
"...writings show the fact that he was deeply and personally acquainted with the Holy Spirit in a way which some charismatic Christians could recognise..." Read more
"...of the simplicity and childlike approach to a deeper and more loving relationship with God the Father of us all...It comes to the realization that..." Read more
"True masters of humility and purity." Read more
"...A treasure trove of wisdom!" Read more
Customers find the book's language lyrical and engaging. They appreciate the brief yet insightful commentaries that help present the essential message. The words of these wonderful men of God are read and exciting, making it a great read for readers.
"...many other translations of his writings and those in this book are as readable and exciting as anything else he has published...." Read more
"...Philokalia, for example, but have their own special quality, a particular lyricism and eschatological vision that warms the heart and cleanses the..." Read more
"...only is the translation wonderfuly accomplished, but his brief yet insightful commentaries help present the sufficient background which allows the..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2010Dr. Brock is a wonderful translator who really gives a living reading of what the Fathers actually wrote. This book is a delight for anyone interested in early Christian spirituality around the world. The Syriac Fathers are little known in the Western World, and it is a shame because their depths of delight in God and understanding add layers of interest and insight to what I think is a certain cultural backdrop. These people grew up in a mediterranean to hot climate with none of the conveniences we know and at a time when life was harsh no matter who you were. And yet, many of them sought to come closer to God by piercing through the barrier that is the flesh, and denying it in as many more ways as possible.
I was particularly interested in St Isaac of Nineveh (so called because he had been for a short time Bishop of Nineveh) because he was born in Qatar. His amazing writings show the fact that he was deeply and personally acquainted with the Holy Spirit in a way which some charismatic Christians could recognise today. Dr. Brock has made many other translations of his writings and those in this book are as readable and exciting as anything else he has published. Many thanks, Dr. Brock.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2023There are so many books on prayer...this one is unique because of the simplicity and childlike approach to a deeper and more loving relationship with God the Father of us all...It comes to the realization that to know who we were created for, is the key...if we were created for God, that should instill in us a driving love towards him...and it comes down to humility of heart and when that love overwhelms us it leads to sacrifice for the love of God
- Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2011This is a beautiful collection of prayers and theology from Syrian monastic writers of the patristic period, including such luminaries as Evagrius and Isaac of Nineveh. These writings are similar to other collections from Greek and Russian writers as found in the Philokalia, for example, but have their own special quality, a particular lyricism and eschatological vision that warms the heart and cleanses the mind. I have placed a copy of the prayer of John the Elder (p.362-63) on the wall of my office as a daily reminder and encouragement of the calling of each Christian to become a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. If you enjoy this then you should seek out a copy of the classic 'The Ascetical Homilies of Isaac of Nineveh', published by Holy Transfiguration Monastery in New York.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2024True masters of humility and purity.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2011Sebastian Brock has done the Christian world a great service in bringing this collection of the wisdom of many early Syriac Fathers to print. Not only is the translation wonderfuly accomplished, but his brief yet insightful commentaries help present the sufficient background which allows the reader to get to the real heart of the matter: the words of these wonderful men of God. If you are among the ones fortunate enough to pick up this book, I think you will do as I did and afford the volume a special place on the bookshelf where it will remain close at hand for years to come.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2022This was highly recommended by a priest who gave a lecture on spiritual life and it does not disappoint! A treasure trove of wisdom!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2008Contains writings from 15 different Fathers between the 4th and 8th centuries with short introductions. The authors selected come from Syria, Palestine, eastern Turkey and Persia. Some well known writers included are St. Ephraim of Syria, St. Isaac of Nineveh, Evagrius of Pontus, John of Apamathea, but there are also several anonymous texts previously unpublished in English. I think this book would be a great value to anyone interested in Patristics, Eastern Orthodox Spirituality, or Monasticism in general. On a personal note, I found that I benefited greatly from spending time with these texts. The book is fairly long and incredibly dense with wisdom. Worth reading for scholarly or devotional purposes.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2017For Christians seeking union with Christ these pages will feed the Christ within.
Top reviews from other countries
- Joe JonesReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Excellent as advertised.
- Christopher HunterReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational and Inspiring
The prayers and writings caught here are a good example of the depth of spiritual understanding and belief in ancient Syria, much of which is maintained in the modern Syrian Church. I like to turn to this if I am feeling a little bereft of spirit and comfort.