I have always loved reading books. A time never goes by that I am not reading a book of some kind, whether it is a novel or a spiritual book. In fact, my very first introduction to the Orthodox Christian faith was a book called Monastic Wisdom by Elder Joseph the Hesychast. This book was recommended by an Orthodox friend of mine. Even though I had already visited a local Orthodox church a number of times, this book was my first introduction to the faith, and from then on I was thirsty for more and more spiritual books. I love reading spiritual books so very much, especially books on the lives of the saints! I don’t know if I have the words to express how I feel when I read the life of a saint, but the best I can put into words is that it’s like I am seeing people and the world through their eyes. And when that happens, I feel God’s loving grace and the world around me seems so beautiful and calm.
This is why I wanted to create my next Orthodox Christian comic strip on spiritual reading with the quote by Saint John Chrysostom. In this comic, you will see Father Gabriel sitting in a beautiful and peaceful forest reading a spiritual book, with his kitty napping peacefully beside him. This is how I feel when I am reading a spiritual book 🙂
So if any of you are interested in reading a spiritual book, here are a few of my recommendations:
- Monastic Wisdom
- My Elder Joseph the Hesychast
- Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
- Thoughts for Each Day of the Year – Saint Theophan the Recluse
- Ascetic Strugglers of Piety – Volume I
- Ascetic Strugglers of Piety – Volume II
- The Life of the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos
Mary
December 4, 2019 at 2:07 pmThis is so peaceful and beautiful comic strip. Thank you for your recommendations. I would love to read them one by one. And I’m also happy to see Father Gabriel’s kitty! :o)
Nicholas Tamraz
December 4, 2019 at 2:09 pmThank you very much Mary for your comment. Yeah lately I’ve been wanting to include my kitty in my artwork. Expect to see him again in the future.
Mark Doiel
December 4, 2019 at 6:08 pmA comic strip character which inspires… With beautiful stories and artwork to boot!
Nicholas Tamraz
December 4, 2019 at 6:21 pmThank you very much for your comment Mark! It makes me so happy that you’re enjoying my comic strips. That’s my goal for Father Gabriel, for him to be an inspiration and example of how the Holy Fathers of the Church can inspire us and lead us to God through their great wisdom. Thank you again for your comment.
Jay
July 1, 2021 at 5:46 pmYou, sir, are unique!
I look forward to more of your uplifting encouragement.
Nicholas Tamraz
July 5, 2021 at 10:41 pmHahaha! Thanks Jay! I also think I am unique LOL! I try my very best to encourage others through my comics. I’m so glad that you enjoy them and find them uplifting. Please come back again soon because more content is coming. God bless you!
-Nicholas