"The task of man&;s earthly life is preparing himself for eternal salvation and blessedness. To attain this, a man must live in a holy and pure manner - that is, according to God&;s will." In this short but incisive treatise the reader is guided on a spiritual journey that begins with the awakening of conscience and the realization of the presence of both sin and virtue in the world, culminating in a union with God: that is &;a living, personal relationship with the one we love.&; In following the path of this ascent, the author delineates many of its markers and stresses that these have both personal and societal aspects. This book is suitable for both private reading and group study. Questions for discussion or contemplation are interspersed throughout this edition. A short biography of the author is also included.
| Foreword |
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ix | |
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1 Conscience and Moral Responsibility |
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1 | (4) |
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5 | (8) |
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13 | (3) |
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16 | (4) |
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20 | (5) |
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25 | (4) |
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29 | (4) |
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33 | (4) |
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37 | (4) |
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41 | (4) |
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45 | (4) |
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12 Emotional Development in Children and on Christian Hope |
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49 | (4) |
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13 The Education and Development of Man's Will |
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53 | (4) |
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14 Strengthening the Will with Work and Vows |
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57 | (4) |
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15 The Struggle against Lust |
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61 | (5) |
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16 Drunkenness, Greed, and Other Carnal Problems; Christian Death |
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66 | (5) |
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71 | (5) |
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18 Falsehood: Christian Charity |
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76 | (5) |
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19 Envy; Cursing and Anger |
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81 | (6) |
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20 Insolvent Ethical Systems |
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87 | (5) |
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21 Christian Love as the Basic Principle of Morality |
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92 | (5) |
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97 | (8) |
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23 Family and Society; Patriotism |
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105 | (8) |
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24 Christian Service; War |
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113 | (5) |
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25 The Unity of Love for God and for Neighbor |
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118 | (5) |
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26 The Christian Obligation to Know God |
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123 | (4) |
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27 The Necessity of Prayer |
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127 | (5) |
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28 The Model of Christian Prayer |
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132 | (6) |
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29 Prayer; Feasts and Fasts |
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138 | (9) |
| Appendix 1 A Short Biography of Metropolitan Philaret |
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147 | (4) |
| Appendix 2 The Transfer of the Blessed Remains of Metropolitan Philaret |
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151 | (5) |
| Appendix 3 Metropolitan Philaret on Christianity and Communism |
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156 | (4) |
| Notes |
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160 | (1) |
| Scripture Index |
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161 | |
Metropolitan Philaret (1903-1985) was the third First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia. He was elected to that position in 1964, being at the time the most junior bishop among the Council. He is widely venerated throughout the Orthodox Church as a steadfast teacher of the faith.
