A vast synthesis of patristic and ascetic oriental teachings from the 1st to 14th centuries, this study presents a renewed vision of the Christian doctrine of salvation and constitutes a veritable treaty, both theoretical and practical, of spiritual psychology and medicine, as well as a summation of Orthodox spirituality that has had no equivalent until now.

Jean-Claude Larchet is an Orthodox patrologist and theologian. Holding doctorates in Humanities, Theology and Philosophy from the Université de Strasbourg, Dr Larchet, one of the foremost contemporary Patristics scholars, studies the relevance of the Fathers to questions of health, sickness, and healing today, and is one of the leading scholars of St Maximus the Confessor. Dr Larchet’s works include the companion volumes to the present work: Mental Disorders and Spiritual Healing (Sophia Perennis) and Theology of Illness (SVS Press). His writings have been translated into twelve languages. It is said of him that “he is one of the very few authors of our time who is able seamlessly to combine rigorous scholarship with a vibrant sense of the inner life of the Church”.

Volume One (268 pages)
Part One: Anthropological Premises; Original Health and the Origin of Illnesses
1. Man's Original Health
2. The First Origin of Illnesses: The Ancestral Sin
3. Pathology of Fallen Man

Part Two: Symtomatology and Pathogenesis of Spiritual Diseases: The Passions
1. The Passions: Spiritual Illnesses
2. Self-Love
3. Gluttony
4. Lust
5. Love of Money; Greed
6. Sadness
7. Acedia
8. Anger
9. Fear
10. Vainglory
11. Pride
12. Transmission of Spiritual Illnesses in Fallen Humanity

Volume Two (274 pages)
Part Three: General Conditions of Therapy
1. Christ the Physician
2. Sacramental Therapies
3. The Subjective Conditions for Healing and Health
4. The Process of Healing: Inner Conversion
Part Four: The Implementation of Therapy
1. The Twofold Movement of Inner Conversion
2. Outline of the Therapy of the Fundamental Faculties of the Soul
3. There Therapeutic Role of the Spiritual Father
4. The Manifestation of Thoughts
5. The Fight Against Thoughts
6. Adjuvant Therapy: Bodily Asceticism

Volume Three (261 pages)
Part Five: The Therapy of Passions and the Acquisition of Virtues
1. Therapy of Gluttony
2. Therapy of Lust
3. Therapy of Love of Money; Greed
4. Therapy of Sadness
5. Therapy of Acedia
6. Therapy of Anger
7. Therapy of Fear
8. Therapy of Vainglory and Pride

Part Six: Health Restored
1. Impassibility
2. Charity
3. Knowledge

Conclusion