The spiritual
harvest requires a heart that is harrowed by repentance, softened by
compunction, and irrigated by tears. Â
The field is a place of cultivation and of battle. In this volume the
nineteenth century Christian saint and teacher  Ignatius (Brianchaninov)
instructs his readers in the cultivation of the field of their hearts, with the
aim of producing a harvest of virtues both pleasing to God and of benefit to all
humankind. Drawing on his own military background St Ignatius recognizes that
this cultivation requires discipline and awareness of the enemies that thwart
our efforts to live a holy life. His words combine spiritual wisdom with
reflections on nature that hint at the joy awaiting those who embrace the
saint’s call.
The Field draws deeply on the teachings of the
ascetic fathers of the Church, from the desert dwellers of Scetis in Egypt to St
Ignatius’s Russian contemporaries,  the Optina Elders. He demonstrates how their
voice is one in guiding us on the Christian path. It will be impossible for
either lay people or monastics to read these words without being challenged and
inspired to follow Christ more fully in cultivating the
Field of their own life.Â
Â
| Weight | 1 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 153 × 229 in |
| Author Name | Ignatius (Brianchaninov) |
| Format | BC |
| Publication Date | 20161201 |
| Imprint | |
| Pages | 374 |
| Publisher | |
| Translator | Nicholas Kotar |
| Language | English |
| Book Dimensions | 229 × 153 mm × 20 mm |
| Format Detail | Paperback |
Introduction
Part I
1.              Emulating Our Lord Jesus Christ
2.              On Reading the Gospels
3.              On Reading the Holy Fathers
4.              On Avoiding Books That Contain False Teaching
5.              On the Commandments of the Gospel
6.              On the Gospel Beatitudes
7.              Truth and Spirit
8.              Faith and Works
9.              A Scattered Life and an Attentive Life
Part II
Reflection: The Sea of Life
10.           On the Snares of the Prince of This World
11.           The Pharisee
12.           A Christian and His Passions
13.           On Habits
14.           Conscience
15.           The Eight Chief Passions with Their Subdivisions and
Offshoots
Part III
 Reflection: Thoughts on the Shores of the Sea
16.    On the Virtues That Act Against the Eight Chief Sinful
Passions
17.    On Loving One’s Neighbor
18.    On Loving God
19.    On Fasting
20.    On Prayer
21.    On Faith
Part IV
 Reflection: Dew
22.    On Repentance
23.    On Humility: A Conversation Between an Elder and His
Disciple
24.    On True and False Humble-Mindedness
25.    On Patience
26.    On Purity
27.    A Short Rule of Vigilance for Those Who Live in the
World
Part V
 Reflection: The Tree in Front of My Cell’s Window During
Winter
28.      The Cemetery
29.      A Voice from Eternity: Thoughts on the Grave
30.      Thoughts on Death
31.      Proof of the Resurrection of the Body, Taken from the Effect
of the Jesus Prayer
Part VI
 Reflection: The Garden During Winter
32.      My Cross and the Cross of Christ
33.      The Cup of Christ
34.      On Monasticism: A Conversation Between Two Orthodox
Christians, a Layman, and a Monk
35.      Words of Consolation for Sorrowing Monks
36.      On Tears
37.      Glory to God!
38.      The Praying Mind Seeks Union with the Heart
39.      A Vision of Christ
Appendix 1 – A Short Biography of St Ignatius (Brianchaninov)
Appendix 2 – My Lament
Notes
Subject Index
Scripture Index
