Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica was one of the most renowned spiritual guides of Serbia in the twentieth century. As a novice he lived in obedience to Elder Ambrose of Miljkovo Monastery, a disciple of the Optina Elders. From him Fr. Thaddeus learned the Prayer of the Heart and the selfless love that came to characterize his whole ministry to the suffering Serbian people. Born in 1914, Elder Thaddeus lived through all the suffering endured by Serbia in the twentieth century. Over the course of two World Wars, during the Communist takeover, and through the NATO bombings of 1999, he co-suffered with his people. He taught, counseled, and prayed for all who came to him in pain and sorrow. His words of love and hope provided spiritual balm for people from all classes of society. In 2002 Elder Thaddeus reposed, leaving behind a large collection of his teachings, preserved by his faithful spiritual children. His life, teachings, and spiritual conversations are here presented for the first time in English.
Author(s): Elder Thaddeus, Ana Smiljanic, St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood
Edition: 2009
Publisher: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 212
City: Platina, CA
Cover
Contents
Foreword
Map of Places Mentioned
Part 1: The Life of Elder Thaddeus
Childhood and Youth
The Monastic Call
Miljkovo Monastery: In the Paradise of First Grace
Tonsure and Ordination
Two Arrests and the Miraculous Appearance of an Angel of God
The Postwar Years
Consoling through the Words of the Holy Fathers
"Not I, but the Lord"
"Let Us Be the Sons of Light!"
A Quiet Witness to the Quiet Savior
Part 2: The Teachings of Elder Thaddeus
1. On Thoughts
2. On Family Life
3. On Humility
4. On Serving God and Neighbor
5. On Monasticism
6. On Repentance
7. On Prayer
8. On Love
9. On the Fallen World
10. On Spiritual Struggle
11. On Faith
12. On Inner Peace
13. On the Spiritual Realm
14. A Homily on the Dormition of the Mother of God
15. Repentance is a Change of Life
16. Collected Sayings of Elder Thaddeus
Acknowledgments
Index
