Ascetic Experiences, Volume One
19th c. · Ascetical work · English translation, 2026
Source edition: Святитель Игнатий (Брянчанинов). Полное собрание творений. — СПб., 1865–1886 (дореволюционное издание, переизд.).
Cover art: The Quiet Abode — Isaac Levitan (Russian, 1860–1900) (Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
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St Ignatius Brianchaninov gathered the work of a lifetime into this first volume of his Ascetic Experiences — essays, homilies, and meditations set down as an archimandrite in answer to the questions of monks and devout laypeople. He treats monasticism as the science of sciences and teaches it from Scripture and the Fathers rather than from theory. Grave chapters on repentance, prayer, and the passions stand beside lyrical readings of a winter garden, a graveside, and the sea, each pressed to yield its lesson for the soul.
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Contents
On Following Our Lord Jesus Christ
On Fasting
On Prayer: Article 1
On Prayer: Article 2
- 18. On Prayer: Article 2 (Part 1)
- 19. On Prayer: Article 2 (Part 2)
- 20. The Eight Principal Passions, With Their Subdivisions and Offshoots
- 21. On the Virtues Opposed to the Eight Principal Sinful Passions
- 22. The Apostle Reading for the Day, February 1, 1840
- 23. A Meditation on Faith
- 24. A Garden in Winter
- 25. A Tree in Winter Before the Windows of the Cell
- 26. A Reflection on the Seashore
- 27. The Prayer of One Persecuted by Men
- 28. The Cemetery
- 29. A Voice From Eternity (A Reflection at the Grave)
- 30. The Teaching of Saint Pimen the Great on Weeping
- 31. On Tears
On the Jesus Prayer
- 32. On the Jesus Prayer (Part 1)
- 33. On the Jesus Prayer (Part 2)
- 34. On the Jesus Prayer (Part 3)
- 35. On the Jesus Prayer (Part 4)
- 36. On the Jesus Prayer (Part 5)
- 37. On the Jesus Prayer (Part 6)
- 38. On the Jesus Prayer (Part 7)
- 39. On the Jesus Prayer (Part 8)
- 40. On the Jesus Prayer (Part 9)
- 41. On the Jesus Prayer (Part 10)
- 44. A Rule of Attentiveness to Oneself for One Living in the Midst of the World
- 45. The Praying Mind Seeks Union With the Heart
- 46. Render True and Peaceable Judgment in Your Gates, and Love No False Oath…
- 47. A Proof of the Resurrection of Human Bodies, Drawn From the Working of…
On Humility (A Conversation between an Elder and His Disciple)
On Purity
- 52. On Purity (Part 1)
- 53. On Purity (Part 2)
- 54. A Word of Consolation to Grieving Monks
- 55. One’s Own Cross and the Cross of Christ
- 56. The Dew
- 57. The Sea of Life
- 58. The Conscience
- 59. On the Distracted and the Attentive Life
- 60. On Habits
- 61. A Meditation on Death
- 62. Glory to God!
- 63. The Snares of the Prince of This World
- 64. A Song Beneath the Shadow of the Cross
- 65. A Meditation at Sunset
Faith and Works
On the Gospel Commandments
On the Gospel Beatitudes
The Christian’s Relation to His Passions
On True and False Humble-Mindedness
The Cup of Christ