"We must bear everything patiently and forgive all. If we have good thoughts and desires, these thoughts will give us peace and joy in this life and even more so in eternity. Then we will see that there is no death, that the Lord has vanquished death, and that He has given us eternal life."
— Elder Thaddeus
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.
CONTENTS
Foreword
PART ONE
The Life of Elder Thaddeus
PART TWO
The Teachings of Elder Thaddeus
I. 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 THE FAITH
11. 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
