The Illumined Heart: Capture the Vibrant Faith of Ancient Christians

Despite its small size, this book is packed with so much spiritual food, presented in an easy-to-read, understandable manner. I read it through four times in a row, and sent copies to friends who I thought would gain a lot from reading it. Some of those, in turn have bought multiple copies to give to others. Anyone who is interested in the spirituality that Christianity held from the beginning should have this book!

This is a well written, yet compact primer for one who is seeking a new Christian life in Orthodox Christianity. Frederica's writing style is easy to understand. She simply explains the facets of Orthodox Christianity in a way that allows the seeker to grasp the concepts of orthodox faith. I would definitely place this wonderful book on any reading list of a one who is trying to find a new Christian home in a church that has not changed in nearly 1000 years.

This is a small book. I thought I could knock it off in one setting. Two months later...I did not expect it to become a book I'd have to slam down every other sentence for the richness of what I read. This is one of those books. Once again, I'm rearranging my "Top Ten Most Influential" book list. I heard this woman, who should be feted and bedecked with Mallowcups, speak at a conference; I remember thinking she was a soft-spoken woman I would not want to meet in an alley for the tough truth she owned. This book confirms that thought. This book took me back to some hallowed basics of Christianity. It took me back to a simplicity I have long looked for without knowing. Here's a few things it did: 1. It reminded me that my other enemy is the devil (the first being myself.) That's not popular, Frederica, to own the devil as an enemy. Mallowcups for speaking truth. 2. It reminded me of fasting. Thanks a WHOLE LOT for that one--even my hair shrieks at the thought of missing a meal. But the truth of fasting, the realization that it is a sacrament and that I've been missing out, is louder than the shrieking. 3. It reminded me that I am a sinner. The tacit understanding is that we are NOT sinners. We are saved by grace, skip the sinner part. We think the grace part erases the sinner part. Owning the sinner part again is...huge. And, last, #4: The Jesus Prayer. The idea of chanting a prayer over and over is anathema to many believers. It's too fearfully close to vain repetition. But there is something about "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner." It's aligning. Frederica says, "Do not be deceived into thinking that the words have magic of their own...that is the kind of thing Jesus meant by "vain repetition."...you do it in vain if you don't mean it." So for those four things, plus the reprint of the prayer of Nikolai Velimirovic (where did you dig that up? another thing that had me slamming the book down...)...Mallowcups, Frederica.

-- THIS is the book that every Christian should be reading! Ms. Mathewes-Green does an excellent job of distilling the timeless wisdom of the early Church into a wonderful introduction to traditional Christian life and spirituality. This approach to the Christian life has stood the test of time for centuries, and is a welcome corrective to the faddish pop-spirituality that fills the shelves at Christian bookstores. But be warned! Despite being an easy read (about 100 pages; I read it in an hour and a half) it presents some very challenging concepts. Not in terms of understanding them, but in terms of living them out. When was the last time you heard a sermon on "praying without ceasing?" How about "loving your enemies?" The early Christians took Biblical concepts like these at face value, and so does Mathewes-Green.So be prepared to be confronted with the greatest challenge of the Christian life: to be transformed into the image of Christ. But the greatest challenge is also the greatest joy!Buy this book, read it, and pass it on. You won't be sorry.