www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Books Kyriacos Markides: The Mountain of Silence

Anyone read this? It's some of the best spiritual reading material I've come across in awhile.

Oh! I read that about two years ago and enjoyed it. It was very helpful in helping me learn a little something about Orthodox theology.I definitely need to reread that one; I'm glad you brought it up. I notice it is a book pick at St.Michael's Russian Catholic Church . Perhaps we could form an online book club and discuss books such as this one. Would one of our priests be willig to moderate such a discussion?

Peace,
Cynthia

Dear MizBiz,

I read the book, and also finished his second book 'Gifts of the Desert'. It seems that his quest for spirituality was within the mental framwork of the intellectual elite. Those that tend to search for spiritual fulfillment in Eastern religions. :rolleyes:

I can't help but believe Kyriacos Markides was spiritually inspired to write these books, not only to show the virtues and gifts of saintly Bishop Maximus, (not his real name), but by using the words of Bishop Maximus so that others may find God.

I say this because if you recall, at the beginning Elder/Bishop Maximus was highly frustrated with Kyriacos. He felt he wasn't getting through to him considering the questions and concepts that were being presented to him. But after praying at a liturgy, he was given the enlightment to continue the interviews, and that it had God's blessing.

In the second book, Kyriacos interviewed Bishop Kallistos Ware, the former Anglican Bishop Timothy Ware. What Bishop Ware said was highly interesting. Again though, the questions and answers were within Kyriacos' own intellectual thought processes as a Professor, and he certainly can go a little off...especially in his second book. But they're great books for the intelligencia, as well as the spiritually astute.

Zenovia

Hi Cynthia,

Yeah, it's a great book. I sent a copy to my sister in Alaska, and so far she likes it. I'm trying to get her interested in the Eastern Church, and I think this might do it. :-)

I think the online book club thing could be done right here! :-)

God bless,

Karen

Hi Zenovia!

I read both of those books, and I have to agree that Markides was meant to write them!

I didn't find them hard to read, except for a couple of concepts that Fr. Maximos presented. Extremely interesting.

Fr. Maximos just has an excellent understanding of what Christianity is supposed to be, and doesn't get sidetracked as so many other clergy do. :rolleyes:

God bless,

Karen

Both of Mr. Markides' books were excellent!

They were easy to read, enjoyable, and very inspirational...

The treasure of mystical spirituality of the East, as conveyed by the contemporary 'Father Maximos', is unparallelled.

In Christ,
Alice

Okay Y'all,
Who's in for an online book club, and if yes how to get started, etc?

Peace,
Indigo

I've also read his book -- twice. I think books like this are meant to be read first for overall knowledge and then a second time as meditation and food for one's soul. I'm currently trying to get "Gifts of the Desert."

Occasionally I like to discuss books I've read and I read others' comments on possible reading material for the future.
However, I tend to read the Forum for news and upcoming and past events.

This is a link to Frederica Mathewes-Green's book review of Gifts of the Desert [frederica.com]

Comments or thoughts?

God bless,

Karen

With all due respect to Khouria Frederica Mathews-Greene, I do not agree with her assesment of the book, 'Gifts of the Desert'.

Contrary to her opinion, I do not believe that this book leaves out Christ--and there are many quotes I could provide, if I were not presently so tired and jet lagged to look them up again to prove it.

Besides, the Church (Ekklisia) which Father Maximos' repeatedly refers to is nothing less than the Body of Christ Himself!

I cannot help but wonder if her ambiguous review is nothing more than a thinly veiled bias of some American Antiochian Orthodox towards Athonite monastic spirituality.

So I would conclude that even though Khouria Frederica finds 'Gifts of the Desert' a " head scratcher ", the only thing that I personally find a "head scratcher" about the book is her review! :rolleyes:

Just my opinion, for what it is worth,
In Christ,
Alice

I loved how the skeptic in Markides was enlightened by Father "Maximos" in the Mountain of Silence. As Mother Victoria said, "This is the book to place on your coffee table for your husband to read. There is no need to say anything. Sooner or later curiosity will get the best of the man and he will read it."

Oh, and yes, my hubbie also read that book. He spirited it away from me, so that I had to wait for him to finish reading it.

Have to love her wisdom!

I hesitated buying and reading Kyriacos Markides follow up book.

Do you really think that it is a good read?

Dear Elizabeth Maria,

Yes, I liked the second book. There is a whole chapter dedicated to an interview with Bishop Kallistos Ware, which is most definitely worth reading.

If you liked the first book, you will also like the second book.

I hope that your husband liked the book!

In Christ,
Alice

Yes, of course.

He asked me to buy an additional copy of THE MOUNTAIN OF SILENCE to give to a relative as a Christmas gift.