"The Mountaion of Silence" by Kyriacos Merkides

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	• The Mountain of Silence: A Search for Orthodox Spirituality Kyriacos C. Markides Image, 2002 - 272 pages average customer review:based on 40 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A Mixed Bag

There is real value in this book for anyone interested in Orthodox Christian spirituality, maily due to the fact that so much of the text consists of extensive dialog with an actual monastic of the Athonite tradition.

However, Markides' own commentary falls short of the mark and follows a synchretistic line at times. His presentation of Orthodox mysticism as a sort of "Christian yogic system" that can be of value to the modern, rationalistc West seems to overlook the Orthodox Church's stance on the dangers of practising spiritual disciplines outside of their context. Markides seems to seek an avenue for bringing Orthodox mysticism to the modern world without necessarily bringing Orthodoxy.

Also, Markides should have stayed away from writing history as much as possible. His historical synopses in his final chapters are terribly oversimplistic and would have the reader believe that the Orthodox Church never engaged in politics; that Byzantium was a sort of ecstatic, peace-loving city on a hill; that Eastern monastics stayed locked in their cells and never made trouble. His best moments as an historian are his accounts of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Good correctives to some of Markides' shortcomings are Schmemann's Historical Road of Eastern Orthodoxy and Meyendorff's Orthodox Church. Ware's Orthodox Church and Orthodox Way are also invaluable resources for anyone who wants to make further study of Orthodox history and spirituality.

Shortcomings aside, this book is well worth the read.

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"The Mountaion of Silence" by Kyriacos Merkides

The book is informative, historically correct, and keeps the reader wanting to read more. Brings alive the traditional goal of The Eastern Orthodox Church - THEOSIS.

Rev. Dr. Christopher Eriksson

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God became man and Markides became Orthodox

THE MOUNTAIN OF SILENCE is a rare treat, an insight into Orthodox spirituality and theology that also delights as a narrative and travelogue!

The author is an ethnic Greek professor of socilology in Maine. He had lost his faith until he started investigating spirituality and healing, including a long visit to Mount Athos, the legendary Orthodox monastery. There he met Father Maximos, a devout, eloquent, and intellectual monk.

The Mountain of Silence picks up this story as Father Maximos is called to Cyprus to help revive monasticism on the divided island. Markides gets to spend a summer with the holy man, serving as his driver and foil for theological discourse. It's a fabulous story full of insights into topics as diverse as Theosis (the Orthodox idea that God became man that man might become God), uncreated light (think St. Gregory Palomas), drug treatment, magicians, and iconography.

The book is fascinating and intriguing. It becomes obvious that the author has had his faith renewed and reinforced, although he does not make a major issue of this; instead, he concentrates on the importance of a Christian life in the modern world.

The volume is not a fast read but it is accessible and clear. The author's follow-on book, Gifts of the Desert, will satisfy those who want to know more.

By all means, Orthodox or not, if you are looking for spirituality or plumbing its nature, this book is a key to the portals of the All-Holy Trinity!

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Fascinating conversations about Orthodoxy

As one currently exploring the Orthodox Church, this is perhaps the best book on Orthodox spirituality that I have read so far, and I and my wife have read several in the past few months. If this book is faithful and accurate in terms of setting forth the spiritual exercises and theology of Orthodox monks and what Orthodox Christianity is all about, then this book is must reading for all Christians - Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox. (I must leave it to persons well-versed on Orthodox Christianity to judge the book's accuracy and faithfulness, but my 5 stars are based on the assumption that it is faithful and accurate.) Even if one disagrees with the Orthodox goal of Theosis = divinization = union with God, this book will nourish one spiritually because of the many truths it teaches about Christianity and spiritual growth.

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a broad appeal towards the Infinite

A beautiful book that ends too soon. Hiding genially underneath a New England scholar's personal spiritual adventure to Mount Athos is a vibrant, penetrating, all-encompassing examination of religion and spirituality. Yet, the book never tires, and only refreshes. Author Markides' sparkling writing is taut and clean, with a seriousness and intelligence palpable on every page. It's a startling journal of a seeker, and offers a surprisingly rare insight into Orthodox mysticism, through the teaching of Father Maximos, lovingly supplanted by the author's genuine experience of discovery. I'm struck again by the fascinating parallels of approach and understanding between mystical Orthodoxy and Buddhism, also apparent in studying the Philokalia. Not to overstate it, although it's touted as an Orthodox book, the depth of understanding that permeates Mountain of Silence gives it a broad appeal across religions, towards the Infinite. It's interesting that the distinct mystical traditions of Judaism, Orthodoxy, and Catholicism forge a spiritual synthesis that mostly escapes finding in church and synagogue, when it's a deeper understanding we most seek; this book goes a long way towards bridging that curious disconnect. Every important element of the author's experience is plumbed and vividly conveyed, riveting, in fact. There seems no superficial way of reading this book, and that indicates an authentic attainment. Mountain of Silence is unexpected and deep, and wisely expressive. Best of all, it's wholly compelling. Radical recommendation, no hesitation.

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