In the Stillness, Waiting

“A masterly distillation of the central teachings of the Eastern Christian tradition of prayer and discipleship.”—Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury

Many are familiar with the Orthodox "Jesus Prayer," also known as "the prayer of the heart,” as a central prayer for monastics, but there is much more to discover about its tradition of contemplation as a grounding both for the interior spiritual life, and for compassionate action in the world. Nicholas Worssam, Franciscan friar and theologian, reflects on the wealth of Eastern Orthodox Christian spirituality through the teachings of its key figures and texts including Evagrius of Pontus, John Climacus, Isaac of Syria, Maximus the Confessor, Symeon the New Theologian, and Gregory Palamas. In the Stillness, Waiting provides an accessible introduction to these saints of Eastern Christianity and how they serve as wise spiritual guides for all Christians today.

Nicholas Alan Worssam, SSF, studied theology at Cambridge and taught at Seoul Anglican University before joining the Franciscans. He is Guardian of Glasshampton Monastery and an Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral.