Kindling the Divine Spark: Teachings on How to Preserve Spiritual Zeal

Publication Data: Wildwood, CA: St. Xenia Skete, 2004
Format: softcover
Number of Pages: 159
Dimensions (l × w × h): 21.0 cm × 13.4 cm × 1.0 cm
Additional Information: black-and-white illustrations
ISBN: 0‒887904‒38‒7

   
by St. Theophan the Recluse

Volume 6 of Modern Matericon Series: God-Pleasing Women

“During St. Theophan’s time, women’s monasticism grew considerably both in his diocese and in the neighboring ones. New monasteries were established, and St. Theophan labored to instruct the sisters in spiritual life according to time-tested patristic principles. It was out of this labor that the present book was born. Originally titled A Reminder to Honorable Nuns Concerning What Monasticism Requires of Them (Moscow, 1897), it consists of sermons that St. Theophan gave in women’s monasteries.”
—“INTRODUCTION”

CONTENTS

Introduction
Homily 1 Keeping of the Monastic Vows
Homily 2 Indications of Monasticism from the Life of St. John the Forerunner
Homily 3 The Model of Great Martyr Catherine
Homily 4 Purification of the Heart: The Major Aim of Monasticism
Homily 5 Nails for Self-Crucifixion
Homily 6 Erecting the Inner Cross
Homily 7 A Mirror of Monasticism in the Life of Alexis, the Man of God
Homily 8 God Gave Us a Church—We Need to Make Use of It As We Should
Homily 9 Disposing and Training Oneself to Pray
Homily 10 Erection of the Inward Temple for God
Homily 11 The Wings of Prayer
Homily 12 The Heavenly Quest—The Primary Work of Monasticism
Homily 13 The Holy Myrrhbearing Women—An Image of Seeking the Lord
Homily 14 A Model of the Monastic Life Shown in the Life of the Apostles After the Miraculous Feeding of 5,000 People by the Sea with Five Loaves of Bread
Homily 15 Elder Hilarion’s Convent: The Elevation of a Community to the Rank of a Monastery
Homily 16 Inspiration for Monastic Labor
Homily 17 Keeping Up the Monastic Zeal Without Excuses
Homily 18 The Healing Pool: That Those Who Struggle to Heal Their Own Spiritual Diseases May Also Serve Others
Homily 19 The Wise Virgins: How Nuns Should Live In Order to Enter the Palace of the Eternal Bridegroom
Homily 20 The Saviour Comes and Brings Salvation
Appendices:
   A Biography of St. Theophan the Recluse, by E. Sumarokov
   Troparion & Kontakion to St. Theophan
   The St. Theophan the Recluse Society of America
   The Path to Salvation
Index