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Theophan the Recluse, also known as "Theophan Zatvornik", is a well-known saint in the Russian Orthodox Church. He was born George Vasilievich Govorov, in the village of Chernavsk. His father was an Orthodox priest. He was educated in the seminaries at Livny, Orel and Kiev. In 1841 he was ordained, became a monk, and adopted the name Theophan. He later became the Bishop of Tambov.
He is especially well-known today through the many books he wrote concerning the spiritual life. He also played an important role in translating the Philokalia from Church Slavonik into Russian. The Philokalia is a classic of orthodox spirtuality, comprised of the collected works of a number of church fathers which were edited and placed a four volume set in the 17th and 18th centuries. A persistent theme is developing an interior life of continuous prayer, learning to "pray without ceasing" as St. Paul teaches in his first letter to the Thessalonians.
Books Written
(partial listing; there are at least ten altogether)
- The Spiritual Life and How to Be Attuned To It
- The Path to Salvation: a Manual of Spiritual Transformation
- Turning the Heart to God
- Kindling the Divine Spark: Teachings on How to Preserve Spiritual Zeal
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