Two Must-Reads!

So, well, it's been a while, I know. My inspiration to write comes and goes -- and sometimes, even when it comes, it's not enough to get me over the speed bump of sloth.

In my defense, I've been reading, and can enthusiastically recommend two books by exceptionally thoughtful and literate converts to the Orthodox faith, similar in quality and character, but distinct enough in the particulars that you'd be happy to read both.

Short Trip to the Edge: Where Earth Meets Heaven--A Pilgrimage, by Scott Cairns, is the story of a university professor's quest for a spiritual life, and his subsequent journeys to the monastic republic of Mt. Athos, where he meets, among others, Fr. Iakovos of Simonos Petra. Fr. Iakovos originally hails from Winthrop, Massachusetts, and on trips home to see his family, has come to visit St. George's in Worcester. I've met him once, and he left a most indelible impression, as did Cairns's very fine book.

A Place of Healing for the Soul: Patmos is, similarly, a travelogue of sorts, though in this case, the author, BBC journalist Peter France, is not looking for a spiritual life, but finds one courtesy of the many gifts of the Holy Island of Patmos. The connection for me, here, is that France made his first visit to Patmos at the invitation of Kallistos Ware, who was, when I was in the process of converting, one of the few Orthodox writers available in English. Metropolitan Kallistos served at St. Vladimir's Seminary some twenty years ago, at an Orthodox Education Day, and I had the joy of serving with him. (I hope I didn't make too much of a git of myself.) Apparently, he's just been back at St. Vlad's this spring.

The interesting contrast between the two books is that Cairns is a man of deep faith, and out of that faith, seeks to deepen and enrich his prayer life. France, on the other hand, is a man of convinced agnosticism, and out of that agnosticism, finds faith -- not by obtaining knowledge, but by simply opening himself to the possibility of it. That is to say, the one man's journey is enabled by his faith; the other, by his doubt. Both are journeys well worth taking with them.

[GET A SHORT TRIP TO THE EDGE]
[GET A PLACE OF HEALING FOR THE SOUL]