This wonderfully written and carefully translated book, The Sanctifying Mysteries, is especially important for English speakers, because it constitutes the first comprehensive treatment in the English language of the holy mysteries from an Orthodox doctrinal perspective. The book will doubtlessly prove to be a valuable resource for all people of faith, Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike, who wish to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the holy mysteries... By highlighting the essential role of the sacred mysteries in the life of the Church and in the life of her individual members, Fr. Staniloae stirs the heart and mind of his readers, helping them discern the awesome truth that through the sacraments Christ becomes everyone's contemporary. Through them Christ touches, purifies, illumines, redeems, sanctifies, and defiles every person who comes to Him in faith. Hence Fr. Staniloae counsels that participation in the sacraments demands not only faith but also effort if their powers are to be perfected and their recipients to undergo a real transformation into the image of Christ. -Fr. Alkiviadis C. Calivas, Professor Emeritus of Liturgics, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
Fr. Dumitru Staniloae (1903-1993) is widely considered as one of the greatest Orthodox theologians of the twentieth century. He was Professor of Dogmatics at the Theological Institute in Bucharest, Romania, from 1947 to 1973. In 1990 he was made a member of the Romanian Academy.
