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Cistercian Studies Series #33
Dorotheos of Gaza: Discourses and Sayings
A shrewd observer, a master psychologist, an accomplished raconteur, Dorotheos is also a learned man with a prodigious capacity for assimilating in an organized harmony the wisdom of his precedessors in the life of the Spirit. Yet he is far more interested in humbly serving his brethren than in discoursing about the recondite aspects of the hescyhast experience. His genial candor makes him the ideal spiritual master to introduce modern readers to the rich spiritual universe of the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria.
259 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 9, 2013
A pearl of the Orthodox patristic tradition. This book is excellent for catechumens and people interested in the Orthodox Church as well as those who are already baptized. St Dorotheos' teachings are part of the fundamental wisdom of the Church Fathers and as relevant today as it was in his own time. Easy to read and divided into short chapters, this book gives instructions on how to acquire humility, obedience and freedom from judging our neighbour, qualities which are absolutely necessary in order to have true love for God and our neighbour. This book can be read and re-read and re-read throughout your whole life.
December 7, 2013
Re-reading a 6th century classic by a Palestinian monk. Maybe something will sink in this time. To whit:
"Why is the devil called not only 'enemy' but 'adversary'? He is called 'enemy' because he is a hater of men, one who hates what is good, a traitor; an 'adversary', because he always puts obstacles in the way of good. If a man wants to pray he puts obstacles in the way through evil suspicions, shameful thoughts, and spiritual torpor. If someone wants to give alms he obstructs it through avarice or procrastination. If a man wants to keep vigil he obstructs it with hesitations or laziness. In every single thing he is against us when we desire to do good."
"Why is the devil called not only 'enemy' but 'adversary'? He is called 'enemy' because he is a hater of men, one who hates what is good, a traitor; an 'adversary', because he always puts obstacles in the way of good. If a man wants to pray he puts obstacles in the way through evil suspicions, shameful thoughts, and spiritual torpor. If someone wants to give alms he obstructs it through avarice or procrastination. If a man wants to keep vigil he obstructs it with hesitations or laziness. In every single thing he is against us when we desire to do good."
February 15, 2024
Wish I can give this book 100 stars! It’s packed with wisdom and very practical instruction on how to live according to God, how to abandon our pride and our own foolish will. It gives hope for when you fail and encouragement to stay in the fight. It is very different from what our society and culture promotes but it is the way to true peace. It is a book I will come back to over and over again due to my own stubbornness.
“Disgrace and contempt is a healing remedy against arrogance of the soul. Pray earnestly for those who as tru healer, abuse you.�
“For it is not good for us to be completely satisfied in everything.�
“Disgrace and contempt is a healing remedy against arrogance of the soul. Pray earnestly for those who as tru healer, abuse you.�
“For it is not good for us to be completely satisfied in everything.�
January 26, 2013
While many other ancient biographies of the desert fathers paint them in a picture that is oftentimes too perfect to be related to by modern readers. This collection of sayings and stories from Dorotheos of Gaza, while often miraculous in nature, also tells the story of his very human side as well. Marvelous!
May 19, 2019
To sit a while with Dorotheos of Gaza is to be sitting under the guidance of an insightful and humane spiritual director. His observations and instructions are sharp and hit the target, but they leave behind no wound that is not ultimately beneficial, because his deep kindness and love for the Body of Christ as incarnated in the people of Christ provide the balm.
Dorotheos was introduced to me by my boss when I was looking for a writer who could help me understand the idea of what it means to be "in Christ" with others. Who better than this desert monk to explicate upon the difficulties, lessons, and deep joys of this necessary life together in Christ?
The translator, Eric Wheeler, begins with an illuminating introduction to Dorotheos that sketches, as best he is able, the known details of the saint's life. This part is not to be skipped, because it really frames and lends context to the discourses that follow.
It is kind of comforting to know that holy men of God who live apart from the world can still be so stinking full of the vices and failings of Christians in the world. Dorotheos teaches us not only how to contend with these myriad stinkers, but also how to identify our own spiritual sticking points and why it is absolutely necessary that we dwell with our brothers and sisters in peace and humility.
I underlined many ideas to revisit later, many places where I felt that Dorotheos had crossed the breach of time, culture, and language to speak God's truth directly into my soul. I made many notes in the margins, connecting his ideas with those of others, watching how God weaves the threads of truth and freedom through many voices. I enjoyed Dorotheos thoroughly and would recommend him heartily to anyone willing to, no matter how tremblingly, hold a mirror up to his soul.
Dorotheos was introduced to me by my boss when I was looking for a writer who could help me understand the idea of what it means to be "in Christ" with others. Who better than this desert monk to explicate upon the difficulties, lessons, and deep joys of this necessary life together in Christ?
The translator, Eric Wheeler, begins with an illuminating introduction to Dorotheos that sketches, as best he is able, the known details of the saint's life. This part is not to be skipped, because it really frames and lends context to the discourses that follow.
It is kind of comforting to know that holy men of God who live apart from the world can still be so stinking full of the vices and failings of Christians in the world. Dorotheos teaches us not only how to contend with these myriad stinkers, but also how to identify our own spiritual sticking points and why it is absolutely necessary that we dwell with our brothers and sisters in peace and humility.
I underlined many ideas to revisit later, many places where I felt that Dorotheos had crossed the breach of time, culture, and language to speak God's truth directly into my soul. I made many notes in the margins, connecting his ideas with those of others, watching how God weaves the threads of truth and freedom through many voices. I enjoyed Dorotheos thoroughly and would recommend him heartily to anyone willing to, no matter how tremblingly, hold a mirror up to his soul.
October 18, 2018
timeless! very readable - a great choice for all seekers!
January 5, 2020
Chock-full of wisdom!
October 27, 2021
Vägledning och god mat för själen; för munken och mig.
February 8, 2025
Well written
Made.me think about my life and my walk with Christ
Not written so high level that I had to annotate; I could read and comprehend the content with decent ease
Made.me think about my life and my walk with Christ
Not written so high level that I had to annotate; I could read and comprehend the content with decent ease
December 26, 2020
A wonderful and challenging devotional book with great psychological depth.
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