Abba Dorotheos was a holy monk and active missionary. The gifts of his personal sanctification were not kept for himself. The life of his obedience was filled with works of love that alleviated the physical pains of others and uplifted their souls for the life of the Spirit.

This dual purpose, of monastic holiness and missionary activity, is also the motivation behind our publications "Preparation." The phenomenon of many young people in our Homeland turning to the sources of non-Christian Eastern religions is the dreadful result of our estrangement from Orthodox Spirituality, from the theophoric Patristic contemplation, and from the Christ-like life of our holy Fathers.

This is an additional reason that makes the publication of this work urgent and timely. With the efforts of the Holy Monastery, today we can have the translation along with the text of this most precious work of Abba Dorotheos, which we have titled: "Abba Dorotheos' Ascetic Works."