Elements - Volume I: The Transfiguration of Elijah - Earth & Water

I am past half way of the book. I have to say that I am holding myself from running through the book. It is captivating, transforming, enlightening. I feel it’s effect on my spiritual and family life with every page I read. I can’t thank the priest who wrote it enough. I feel like it is so real and it can’t be a novel. It is full of personal experiences, real emotions, and actual struggles. It is full of real encounters with real saints, it makes spiritual life attainable and reachable. As if the book is taking me in step by step growth. That is other than the first part of the book and how it reflect on the life and experiences of immigrants and with what attitude they leave for another country. It makes me watchful what I am trying to do with my own child. I only wonder, if it is readable by people from different cultures and backgrounds. I want to share it with everyone I know. It is so wonderful to finally find a coptic Novel in English. I haven’t seen like this work before! Again thanks Abouna, whoever you are!

This is my first time ever writing a review. One of the best books I’ve ever read. It changes the way you see the material and earthly world. It shows you the true sources of happiness. It teaches you not only how to love other human beings, but also how to love all of nature. It shows you not only how to receive forgiveness, but also how to truly forgive others. If you also want to get close to God, this book is for you. You won’t regret spending your time on it. I bought three copies—two as gifts for recent graduates.

I cannot find the words to express how inspiring and well written this book is. Truly as a Coptic Orthodox Christian, though I have read many books that have inspired me, nothing has even come close to this book. The author found a way to cut through to the deepest parts of me with each chapter. I cried, I laughed, and I began to be transformed. I began to understand my journey with Christ in a completely new way. I began to acquire tools for fighting the good fight. All the while, I was constantly being captivated by the beauty of the story. By the beauty of the Lord who can make beauty from ashes.

A must read orthodox book

I first heard about this book through word of mouth—nearly everyone in my Bible study has read it. Elijah is a deeply relatable character—an immigrant who goes to college and is confronted with the realities of life. His journey to his beloved is both heart-wrenching and faith-inspiring, inviting us to take a leap of faith alongside him. Abouna Mina’s words, “You are one of us,” resonate deeply. We, too, can belong if we open the door to our beloved and embrace humility, becoming like the earth. Then, He will give us the water of life, and we will never thirst again.

No words can show how great this book is! It’s just beautiful, different, and perfect. I have never read book this wonderful in my life. It really touches the soul!

I absolutely loved this book! Best book I have ever read. This book is very very practical for a christian. It shows how hard it is for the christian to live in this world while having a connection with God. The way the character ends up with God is such beautiful story. This book has everything you would want in a story, I didn't want to put it down. I only read this first volume, I cannot be more excited to read the second volume. I highly highly recommend this book to everybody! This book has inspired me to live closer to God and I now know how intimate my relationship with God can be.

I enjoyed this book very much. It keeps you reading and gives you a lot to think about.

I am Oriental Orthodox myself. I felt an emptiness and distance from God, and this book came into my life. It carried me through my journey. I became even hungrier for the Word. I’m now at the final chapter and have already ordered the second part. I can’t wait to read part two.

Words fail to adequately capture the essence of this book. I found myself completely absorbed, and couldn't immerse myself in another book for a some time. It reaches deep into the reader's consciousness. And also it clearly shows the substantial disparity that exists between our human cognition and the divine nature of God. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." If you have already read both volumes and happen to have any similar recommendations, I would be most grateful if you could share them.

I am lost for words. You just have to read for yourself. A truly beautiful book.

Where do I begin... to say I'm an avid reader would be an understatement. I've been reading Orthodox literature for close to 20 years, and only a handful of books have impacted me like this book has. I've laughed out aloud, I've cried (many times), I've been in utter shock and disbelief... This book takes the reader on a journey of the stages of spiritual growth, the journey of purification. It's incredibly relatable, which makes the text come to life and allows the reader to identify himself with the story. The author is obviously a grace filled individual who loves God deeply; grace permeates the text and is perceptible to the reader. This book in an absolute must for every Coptic Orthodox Christian. I've finished Earth and Water, and can't wait to dive into the next book in the series 🙏🏼

The story is catchy like I haven’t seen before. God, loneliness, immigrants, loss and love all bundled up together like they are bundled up in us. The hardcover version I ordered came with a scratched cover but amazon refunded it quickly. Great read