Holy Trinity Jordanville Publications

Holy Trinity Publications in Jordanville, New York, recently sent me a number of books both new and recent including How to Live a Holy Life by Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg (2005; 150pp.).

This is a small book, the size of one's hand, containing a series of very practical reflections on how to pray, how to work, how to deal with problems and people in life. The publisher further elaborates:

This pocket-sized book, originally published in Russian in 1904, is a short but comprehensive work offering guidance to the Christian on how to conduct himself through the course of the day. In a eminently straightforward manner the author describes how to conduct oneself in the morning, in relation to God, in common situations of life, in daily work, during meals, during the afternoon rest, in the evening, before sleep, and during sleeplessness. He concludes with a consideration of prayer and guidance and on how to spend Sundays. A biography of the author, Metropolitan Gregory (Postnikov) of St. Petersburg (1784-1860), concludes the work.

Published in 2011 is a book by Mikhail Chevalkov, Testament of Memory: A Siberian Life (xix+146pp.). This book, the publisher tells us, is a:

remarkably simple and yet profoundly deep narrative, this translation is an introduction to the remote world of the 19th-century Altai: a mountainous region of southern Siberia possessing unique flora and fauna and peaks rising to nearly 15,000 feet. Native Altai tribesman Mikhail Chelvalkov vividly describes the physical beauty of the region while chronicling many of the encounters that took place throughout his life as the population transformed from competing nomadic pagan tribes to a settled and harmonious Orthodox Christian culture. One of the first native disciples of the Russian Orthodox missionary priest Makarii Glukharev—who was made a saint in AD 2000—Chelvalkov’s testament provides invaluable insights for students of Christian mission, ethnography, geography, and botany.

Last year, Holy Trinity brought out the second edition of a book they first published in 1970 with a foreword from then-Archimandrite Kallistos Ware: Ignatius (Brianchaninov), The Arena: Guidelines for Spiritual and Monastic Life (xxiii+ 282pp.).
About this book we are told:

One of the most important and accessible texts of Eastern Orthodox Christian teaching on the spiritual life, this book draws upon the ascetic and mystical doctrine of the Greek Fathers and greats of the Orthodox Christian church. In an age alienated from spiritual culture and rooted in materialism, these teachings pose both a challenge and an invitation to those seeking heightened spirituality. This book is essential reading for anyone who desires a profound spiritual journey based upon an encounter with Christ as God.

And finally, published just last month is another small handbook originally written by St Innocent of Alaska:  Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven: An Introduction to Christian Life (xii + 82pp.). About this book we are told:

Originally published in the Aleut (Eskimo) language in 1833, this book is a simple yet challenging introduction to Christianity from one of the greatest teachers of the Russian Orthodox Church: sainted Russian Bishop and missionary Innocent Veniaminov. Timeless and universal, this updated edition—which includes a new section entitled "Points for Reflection" at the end of each chapter—discusses what it means to know God and have a relationship with Jesus. It will appeal to those seeking to understand their own faith more fully.