... Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ( 1Timothy 4:12) This book is a guide for the contemporary Orthodox priest in his application of the Apostle’s words to his everyday life, as he serves to convey God’s grace as a shepherd of Christ’s flock.It focuses on the internal formation and preparation of the soul that should underpin the priest's pastoral mission. Building upon this foundation, the guide then includes instruction on how to teach and guide the faithful toward a holy and salvific life in the Church. Perfectly suited as a course book in Pastoral Ministry, this book will at the same time benefit every Christian, whether ordained or not. The text was edited and compiled by Holy Trinity Monastery from recent and historical sources reflecting the rich heritage of the Russian Orthodox Church, for the benefit of the twenty-first century pastor and aspirant to the priesthood. It is replete with detailed quotations from the Holy Fathers and the Canons, together with over one hundred references to Holy Scriptures, covering every conceivable pastoral issue. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11) The monks who came to Holy Trinity Monastery from Eastern Europe after World War II inherited a tradition of printing that stretches back almost to the invention of the printing press in the fifteenth century. Through the fathers’ tireless efforts, the monastery has been printing and publishing Orthodox Christian books for almost sixty-five years. In keeping with the humble spirit required of a monk, books which are written or prepared by members of the monastic brotherhood are published under the general authorship of Holy Trinity Monastery.
