B. Complete Audio-Book: The Way of a Pilgrim

The Way of a Pilgrim is the English title of a 19th century anonymous Russian work, detailing the narrator's journey across the country while practicing the Jesus Prayer, with the help of a prayer-rope and the study of the Philokalia. The Russian title of the book is actually much longer than its English translation: "Откровенные рассказы странника духовному своему отцу" - literally, "Candid tales of a pilgrim to his spiritual father'. It is unknown if the book is literally an account of a single pilgrim, or if it uses a fictional pilgrim's journey as a vehicle to teach the practice of ceaseless inner prayer and communion with God. The Russian original, or a copy of it, was present at a Mount Athos monastery in Greece in the 19th century, and was first published in Kazan in 1884. The pilgrim's inner journey begins when he is struck upon hearing the words of Paul (in 1 Thessalonians 5:17) to "pray without ceasing”. He visits churches and monasteries to try and understand how to pray without ceasing. His travels lead him to a staretz (a spiritual father) who teaches him the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me", and gives him practical advice on how to offer the prayer uninterruptedly. The book details the gradual spiritual development and struggles of the narrator, and the effect the Pilgrim’s spirituality has on those around him. The sequel, also included in this podcast, is titled ‘The Pilgrim Continues his Way’. Shared freely for the purpose of Orthodox Christian education and edification. Contact: [email protected]