The Four Gospels

Writing in the tradition of biblical exegetes, such as St John Chrysostom and Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria, the work of Archbishop Averky (Taushev) provides a commentary that is firmly grounded in the teaching of the Church, manifested in its liturgical hymnography and the works of the Holy Fathers. Analyzing all four Gospels chronologically and simultaneously, he allows readers to see the life of Christ as an unfolding narrative in accessible, direct language. Using the best of prerevolutionary Russian sources, these writings also remained abreast of developments in Western biblical scholarship, engaging with it directly and honestly. He approaches the Gospels first and foremost not as a literary work of antiquity, but as the revelation of Jesus Christ as God in the flesh. Archbishop Averky’s commentaries on the New Testament have become standard textbooks in Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary and have been published in Russia to widespread acclaim. This present volume is the first translation of these texts into English and it is an indispensable addition to the library of every student of the Gospels.

"Whether you have never read the Gospels or read them hundreds of times, you will be spiritually enriched with your reading of this commentary. I cannot wait for Volume II on The Epistles to be released." —Stuart Dunn, stuartsstudy.blogspot.com

"A text that would benefit any pious laymen, but which should be a go to reference for Orthodox clergy. I look forward to seeing the subsequent volumes in this series published as well." —Fr. John Whiteford, fatherjohn.blogspot.com

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.