St. Ignatius Brianchaninov on Lay Spirituality

A layperson living in the world should not read books written for monastics. Such reading will distract the layperson from the virtues proper to their way of life by filling them with dreams of higher spiritual endeavors. This dreaming may at times delight their imagination, while at other times plunge the soul into despair and despondency. Even if a layperson temporarily succeeds in an endeavor unsuited to their way of life, which is usually achieved by inflaming the flesh and blood, they will not be able to sustain it for long and will soon abandon the effort that exceeds their capacity. However, the temporary practice of an exalted endeavor may render them incapable, for their entire life, of pursuing the pious efforts appropriate to their way of life.

To Christians whose spiritual struggle takes place within the conditions of worldly life, Bishop Ignatius recommends reading the works of the Holy Fathers who wrote generally for all Christians. These include St. John Chrysostom, St. Demetrius of Rostov, St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, [Archbishop] Nicephorus [Theotokis] of Astrakhan, and [St.] George [of Zadonsk] the Recluse.

It may seem that the Bishop offers few spiritual writers to the layperson, but as he himself notes, the works of these writers are "a vast field for reading! A rich spiritual pasture where the rational sheep of Christ may feed to fullness and abundance!"

Having advised one "statesman" to engage "deeply" in reading all the works of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop Ignatius wrote to him: "I offer you that ecclesiastical writer who, with extraordinary purity, clarity, and power of Christian teaching, elevates the reader above all earthly things. Like a spiritual eagle, he soars at heights above the clouds and from there shows the earth to his disciple."

Although Bishop Ignatius recommends the works of St. Demetrius for reading as those of a writer bearing the seal of grace-filled anointing and imparting this anointing to readers, he nonetheless warns that his works are "not entirely pure, not fully in the Eastern character... This is a significant shortcoming in the writings of St. Demetrius." Bishop Ignatius explains some deviations from the spirit of the Eastern Church in St. Demetrius's works by the fact that the Rostov hierarch lived for a long time in Western Russia, where he received his education. At that time, Western Russia was under a strong influence of Latinism. Among all the writings of St. Demetrius, Bishop Ignatius particularly favored the appendix to the Sacred History in the fourth part for its "maturity of spirit." He speculates that this was the last work of St. Demetrius. "The fourth part of St. Demetrius's works," wrote Bishop Ignatius, "is especially good; one can draw from it much that is very necessary and very useful."

Bishop Ignatius held the works of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk in very high esteem. He even included excerpts from his writings in the Patericon alongside the ancient ascetics. Bishop Ignatius regarded the personality of the Zadonsk ascetic with particular reverence, and it seems not without reason—there is a certain similarity between the two hierarchs in their ascetic direction, teachings, and even the outward events of their lives. (Leadership of a monastery, a brief tenure as diocesan administrator, literary activity during retirement, and passing away on the Lord's Day).

Archbishop Nicephorus of Astrakhan (1731–1800) wrote a Commentary on the Sunday Gospels. According to Bishop Ignatius, he was a writer "very profound and with anointing." By nationality, he was Greek. He received his education at European universities, later embraced monasticism, and was invited to Russia, where he eventually became Archbishop of Astrakhan. Recommending the Commentary on the Sunday Gospels by Archbishop Nicephorus to his sister, Elizabeth Alexandrovna, Archimandrite Ignatius wrote: "He stands incomparably above all our ecclesiastical writers (i.e., Russian ones), combining profound scholarship with spiritual anointing. There are signs by which it is presumed that his body is incorrupt. You will see for yourself how excellent his book is and how great a spiritual worth the writer possesses."

The Zadonsk recluse George (1789–1836) was a contemporary of Bishop Ignatius. In his youth, he was a soldier, later entering a monastery where he spent 17 years in complete seclusion. He passed away relatively young, at the age of 47, but, as Bishop Ignatius said, he "replaced many years with spiritual success." George the Recluse maintained extensive correspondence with many individuals, and after his death, many of his letters were collected and published.

Saint Ignatius highly valued the worth of these letters, stating that the book of George the Recluse became one of his "desk companions." Recommending this book to his acquaintances, the bishop testified that George was a spiritual writer who surpassed all other spiritual writers of his time, "from whose pen flow streams of grace." Indeed, the bishop noted the writer's lack of formal education, but this deficiency was compensated by his abundant spiritual worth. Bishop Ignatius referred to the letters of George the Recluse as a "precious book" filled with consoling instructions, especially for those who suffer.

A Christian who studies the works of the Holy Fathers nourishes their soul with heavenly blessings. "Turn more to the reading of the Holy Fathers; let them guide you, remind you of virtue, and direct you on the path of God. This way of life belongs to our times: it has been commanded and handed down to us by the Holy Fathers of later centuries. Complaining of the extreme shortage of God-enlightened mentors and counselors, it enjoins the zealot of piety to be guided in their life by the writings of the Fathers. The counsel of the saints is wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)." This is the instruction of Bishop Ignatius, which every Christian should, as much as possible, follow in their spiritual life.

 

Source: Духовная жизнь мирянина и монаха по творениям и письмам епископа Игнатия (Брянчанинова) [The Spiritual Life of a Layperson and a Monk According to the Works and Letters of Bishop Ignatius (Brianchaninov)], by Abbot Mark (Lozinsky), "Blago" Publishing House of the Moscow Patriarchate, 1997.