Spirituality of the Christian East: A Systematic Handbook (Cistercian Studies Series)

Rating:
Summary: Indispensable!
Review: This 13 chapter volume of 473 pages is indispensable for anyone interested in learning and/or referencing anything that pertains to the spirituality of the Christian East. The author, Rev. Tomas Spidlik, S.J., is the world renowned scholar/lecturer from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome. The bibliography (arranged in topical order), index of useful texts, topical index and index of proper names expedite the reader's use of the text and referencing other valuable material. The endnotes which follow each chapter are excellent in detail and provide the reader with primary source material. The material for the chapters is methodically developed from the general area of "Sources" (ch.1) to the specific topic of "Contemplation" (ch.13) before the characteristic traits of Eastern Christian spirituality are exquisitly summarized.