This is a scholarly work, but quite readable for general audience. The book gives a delightfully detailed account of the life of St. Innocent of Alaska–the married priest who gave up a position in a prestigious parish to travel for a full year with his wife and first son and others to reach Alaska and become a parish priest there. St. Innocent is a giant intellectually, as well as physically, and his accomplishments include scientific papers submitted to Russian journals half a world away, translations of the Bible and other works into Fox Aleut, the building of churches, and once even the building of an organ for some Jesuits down in California. Eventually, he becomes Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia. And extraordinary man with an extraordinary story.

St. Herman prophecied that after his own memory was almost forgotten another hermit similar to himself would flee to Spruce Island and live the life of the hermit. This man proved to be Fr. Gerasim, a priest monk who originally came to Alaska as a missionary priest to serve in the native village of Afognak. After the revolution he became a permanent exile with no home to return to. It was Fr. Gerasim who found the saint;s grave and built a church over and renewed the memory of St. Herman, eventually bringing about his canonization. For all of this he was slandered, villified, and some church officials even tried to force him off the island, as the tried to do to St. Herman and others who follow in his footsteps. This is a quick read, and a very good inspiring read about the life of one of the heavenly Orthodox choir over America.

Vol. 1 The Serbian People as Servant of God

One might get the impression that this series is only of interest to Serbs, but it is not true. This first volume contains 99 brief meditations by St. Nikolai Velimirovic on the action of God’s Providence in the history of the Serbian people. Serb’s frequently define themselves by their faithfulness to their Orthodox faith. And this makes the work useful to all who seek to live as Orthodox Christians in a difficult world. Add to that, St. Nikolai’s reputation as a “Golden Tongue.”–The only saint since St. John Chrysostom to be given this title. His writings are deep, insightful and yet simple–thereby accessible and useful to the very learned and the simple–such a rare quality for any writer to cultivate. This first volume is certainly addressed to Serbs to remind them of their history and their destiny as servants of God. Here is a destiny we all need to tie ourselves into.

Vol. 2 The Faith of Chosen People

This volume reflects on the Nicene Creed, phrase by phrase. It is an excellent book for an inquirers class or for any catechism class. Certainly it is addressed to adult Orthodox Christians in the mellifluous voice of the Golden-tongued St. Nikolai. This book is also written in a series of meditations intended to inspire and provide apologetic tools.

Vol. 3: The Mystery and Meaning of the Battle of Kosovo

What kind of a people defines themselves and their meaning by a military defeat? This volume focuses on the Life, Testament and the moral and spiritual Victory of Tsar Lazar. Written by St. Nikolai Velimirovich and St. Justin Popovich.

Vol. 4 The Struggle for Faith

Writings by St. Nikolai Velimirovich and Archim. Justin Popovich. Five essays by St. Nikolai and six by Fr. Justin. Full of Wisdom, and thus satisfying to the hungry soul.

Vol. 5 Prayers by the LakeBy St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Until recently this was the crown of this series. It has long been popular. St. Nikolai gives a series of 100 meditations written by Lake Ochrid in the year 1921-22. They are full of wisdom and insight.

Here is a little bite:

“I once watched a chicken on top of a blackboard running around inside a circle that had been drawn on it with white chalk. I watched him for a long time as he ran to and fro and hesitated to jump over the white line, which he probable perceived to be a living creature or a high wall.

“This is like my soul, I said in sorrow, when she thinks she is cut off from her freedom either by some mighty giants or by frightful towering walls. In actual fact, between her prison and her freedom there exists only an imaginary line thinner than a hair….”

It would be a shame to miss this one.

This is another work that has been available for so long that it’s invisible on the shelf. St. Paisius Velichkovsky called it the “ABCs of spiritual life. The Discourses introduces the reader to the most basic principles of spiritual life with clear and sometimes humorous stories and sayings. One of my favorites goes something like: “Don’t be like a pumpkin that turns rotten the moment a flea bites it.” Like most of the early Christian sources, Abba Dorotheos is a much more delightful than his later commentators. This book shouldn’t be just sitting there. Every Christian should read this book.

Homilies orginally addressed to Nuns on various feast days. This is an incrediblly inspiring book to help warm your heart and your prayer. The homilies make short reads for those who can’t work in longer readings. My question is, why is it just sitting there like last year’s reader’s digest? Although this book is not out of print and you can find used copies on the web for as much as $60.  Well, the book is worth a lot more than that but you can get it from any Orthodox bookstore for the publisher’s price.