Archbishop Averky addresses head on the question, "What is asceticism?" He counters the many false understandings that exist and shows that the practice of authentic asceticism is integral to the spiritual life and the path to blessed communion with God. AUTHOR: Archbishop Averky (Taushev) (1906-1976) was born in Imperial Russia and taught and served throughout Europe before being assigned to teach at the Holy Trinity Seminary in New York in 1951 and became the abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in 1960. As abbot and rector, he was heavily involved in the formation of the seminary curriculum and the daily life of the seminarians and monks. He became well known among Orthodox Christians for his staunch defense of his Church's faith and traditions. Nicholas Kotar is a graduate of Holy Trinity Seminary and an assistant editor at Holy Trinity Publications. He is a founding member of Conquering Time, an ensemble of artists inspired by the Inklings that stages original works of storytelling and traditional music and publishes new poetry and prose. He lives in Jordanville, New York. 2 b/w photographs
