Overview
"Upon this rock I shall build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18).
The question of the self-identity of the Church, its membership, hierarchy, and sacraments, is one of the primary issues separating Orthodox from heterodoxy. As such, it is paramount in the aspiration to maintain Christian unity in the true teaching of Christ.
In Essays on the Doctrine Concerning the Church, Hieromartyr Hilarion (Troitsky) turns to patristic resources from the early centuries of Christianity, seminal works at the periphery of the consciousness of every Christian, and brings them to the forefront as living witnesses to the unbroken tradition of the Church. Rather than shunning the works of non-Orthodox historians and theologians, the author acknowledges their scholarly contribution, while simultaneously demonstrating their inconsistencies, often citing experts of their own confession. St. Hilarion's staggeringly extensive familiarity with sources both patristic and modern, coupled with his own lucid thinking and profoundly Orthodox mindset, superbly equip him for his extensive analysis of the subject.
Eminently engaging and highly readable, this collection of essays takes the reader on a journey through the development of the Church in the person of her members, both prominent and plebeian. St. Hilarion presents the reader with historical affirmations of present-day church life and worship, touching on subjects ranging from hierarchical roles to biblical mistranslations. In the words of the foreword to the 2004 Russian edition, "in his works Hieromartyr Hilarion expounds the catholic truth of the Church, and does so perfectly naturally and organically, for his whole life melded entirely with the life of the Church. This is why, when discussing things well-known and generally accepted, Father Hilarion was able to present them in his own way and in a new light."
This superb collection of essays is one that will edify the minds and enrich the ecclesiastical lives of new generations of Christians of all walks of life, while providing invaluable context for evaluating the authenticity and Orthodoxy of ecumenical dialogue.
Notes
- First time in English
- 1st edition
- Translated by Fr. Nathan Williams
Details
- Length (softcover): 440 pages
- Size (softcover): 6 x 9 inches
- ISBN (softcover): 978-1-63941-006-4