The Life
Childhood and Youth 35
Initial Difficulties and Aid from Grace 41
Settlement in Katounakia with Elder Ephrem 49
The Move to St Basil and the Death of Elder Ephrem 58
The Time of Bitter Struggles 62
The Nature and Forms of Trials 66
The Discovery of the Hesychast Elder Daniel
as Spiritual Father 70
The Trials Grow More Intense 81
Various Trials and Manifest Aid from Our Lady
the Mother of God 93
From St Basil to Little St Anna 109
The Move to New Skete 141
Teaching
On Sanctification and Dispassion 159
On Discovering the Will of God 166
On Regime and Disorder 172
On Trials and the Spiritual Law 178
The Differences between the Trials 182
The Law of Changes in Our Practical Life 187
Negligence, the Unsleeping Danger for the Christian 195
On Prayer 198
On Discrimination and Perspicacity 209

On Obedience 214
On Contemplation, and How Those Who Are Worthy
Contemplate 219

Prologue 9
An Introduction to the Elder’s Counsels 19

PART ONE
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LOVE
CHAPTER ONE
The Indifferent Generation 33
CHAPTER TWO
The Presence of a Christian Is a Confession of Faith 49
CHAPTER THREE
To the Pure All Things Are Pure 68
CHAPTER FOUR
Actions With Prudence and Love 81

PART TWO
STRUGGLE AND DEVOUTNESS
CHAPTER ONE
The Good Fight 103
CHAPTER TWO
How the Devil Works 123
CHAPTER THREE
The Benefits of Good Fellowship 134

CHAPTER FOUR
Devoutness Moves God 147
CHAPTER FIVE
Self-Offering Provides Divine Oxygen 171

PART THREE
SPIRITUAL BRAVERY
CHAPTER ONE
The Signs of the Times 197
CHAPTER TWO
Sacrifice Brings Joy 218
CHAPTER THREE
Bravery Is Born of Trust in God 241
CHAPTER FOUR
For the Faithful, Martyrdom Is a Festival 257

PART FOUR
DEPENDENCE UPON HEAVEN
CHAPTER ONE
God’s Providence For Man 277
CHAPTER TWO
Faith and Trust in God 294
CHAPTER THREE
Where Man Cannot Reach, God Provides Help 315

PART FIVE
SPIRITUAL WEAPONS
CHAPTER ONE
Prayer Is a Powerful Weapon 333

CHAPTER TWO
Monasteries Are the Fortresses of the Church 355
CHAPTER THREE
The Deeper Meaning of Life 3 81

INDEX
Scriptural Index 399
General Index 403