Orthodox Monasticism

A new Book by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos

Available from St John's Bookstore

Orthodox Monasticism is the latest translation of the work by

Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos. In Part 3 of the book, the 

section on "The Mystery of the Cross in the Monastic Life" 

p.368 to 369, Metropolitan Hierotheos writes a moving tribute

to Elder Sophrony of Essex and his disciple, Archimandrite

Zacharias Zacharou,

"Archimandrite Zacharias' whole book (Christ Our Way and 

Our Life) is a hymn of praise to the living, robust, manly, 

apostolic and patristic theology of Elder Sophrony. This text

conveys simply, plainly and clearly the figure of a great Elder

of our time, who is comparable to major prophetic, apostolic

and patristic figures. Reading it we rejoice, glorify God and 

are moved to contrition. We pray, repent, bewail ourselves,

mourn, hope and give thanks.

The sanctity of Elder Sophrony is clearly demonstrated. How

can he not be a saint when in the earthen vessel of his human

frailty he experienced theoria of the Uncreated Light to the 

highest possible degree? 

I have no hesitation about writing once again that Elder 

Sophrony is a saint, with extraordinary experience and 

an extraordinary record of this experience"

From 'Orthodox Monasticism as the Way of Life of Prophets, Apostles

and Martyrs', Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, Translated by Sister

Pelagia Selfe, Birth of the Theotokos Monastery 2011, Levadia Greece.