John Chryssavgis is a Professor of Theology at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston. He completed his undergraduate studies in Athens and earned his doctoral degree at Oxford. Recent publications include The Way of the Fathers: Exploring the Minds of the Church Fathers (1988), Beyond the Shattered Image: Insights into an Orthodox Ecological Worldview (1999), and Soul Mending: The Art of Spiritual Direction (2000).

• Table of ContentsTable of Abbreviations   9Preface   11Introduction   131     Rules for the Brothers who Live with him   392     On the Natural State of the Intellect   433     On the Condition of Beginners and Anchorites   474     On the Conscience of Those who Stay in Their Cells   535     Faithful Commandments for the Edification of Those who Wish to Live Peacefully Together   696     On Those who Desire to Lead a Life of Good Silence   777     On Virtues   818     Sayings   879     Commands for Those who have renounced [with World]   9510   Another Discourse   9911   On the Grain of Mustard Seed   10112  On Wine   10313  On Those who have Struggled and Reached Perfection   10514  Acts of Mourning   11115  On Detachment   11516  On the Joy that Comes to the Soul that Desires to Serve God   11917  On Thoughts about Renunciation and Exile   13118  On Forgiveness   13919  On Passions   14320  On Humility   14721  On Repentance   14922  On the Conduct of the New Person   16323  On Perfection   17324  On Tranquility   18125  To Abba Peter, his disciple   18326  Recorded by Isaiah's Disciple, Abba Peter, who had Heard it Spoken by his Master   21127  In which he says, 'Attend Diligently'  21928  The Branches of Malice   22729  Lamentations   235Bibliography   247Patristics Index   257Scripture Index   261Index of Names   271Subject Index   275

The illuminating introduction to the translation of these twenty-nine monastic discourses written in the mid-fifth century explores scholarly issues . . . this volume is a model for showing how to make a book user-friendly . . . Until this translation appeared, we had only a bit of Abba Isaiah in English (in the translation of the Philokalia), so this work is a welcome addition, made all the more welcome because of the readable translation and useful apparatus.Cistercian Studies Quarterly