“Keep thy mind in hell and despair not”

“Keep thy mind life of a Christian, the cultivation of humility, and how to

seek advice from one’s spiritual father.

in hell and

If not for the contributions of Saint Silouan’s disciple

and the author of his biography, Saint Sophrony, it is

entirely possible that the ascetic would never have been

despair not”

revealed as a saint, and his life would be kept hidden from

the world. Externally, Saint Silouan led an unremarkable

life; he was not considered an elder in his own time and

Saint Silouan had no group of disciples around him. Outwardly, he

lived like any other monk, his daily routine consisting of

the Athonite attending church, reading sacred books, observing the

fasts, showing obedience to his superiors, and diligently

performing his duties as a monastery steward.

The lives of ascetic fathers are particularly difficult It was Saint Silouan’s remarkable prayer life which

to capture in writing, owing to the reclusive nature of distinguished him from others. His nightly vigils were a

their subjects. Often, these hagiographies only manage real spiritual battlefield, where he wrestled, ‘not against

to supplement dry biographical detail with stories of flesh and blood, but against... the rulers of the darkness

extraordinary ascetic feats and miracles performed. of this world’ (Eph 6:12).

This leaves the reader feeling disconnected from the

person who is being portrayed, especially as regards Arguably the most well-known and influential account

their secret inner world, thoughts, and feelings. from the life of the saint takes place during one of these

nocturnal vigils, when Saint Silouan is already fifteen

Saint Silouan the Athonite differs in this respect from years into his monastic life.

other spiritual biographies, due to the attention it

devotes to the inner life of the saint. The first part of The Saint, wrestling with constant demonic torments

the book tells his life story from a spiritual perspective, and feeling utterly abandoned, turns to the Lord in his

while the second part contains the writings of the saint. heart and humbly asks for instruction.

Less attention is given to historical facts about Saint

Silouan’s life than to his spiritual journey, delving into In his soul, Saint Silouan hears a reply, “The proud

such topics as the experience of spiritual trials in the always suffer from the devils.”

“Lord,” he says, “teach me what I must do that my soul

may become humble.”

Again, his heart hears God’s answer: “Keep thy mind in

hell, and despair not.”

Saint Silouan the Athonite is filled with such direct

spiritual truths both from the life and writings of the

ascetic, as well as from the perceptive theological

commentary of its author. This book can be

recommended to those who are seeking a deeper

examination of the spiritual life and are ready for a

challenge.

ORTHODOX

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