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

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 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!

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.

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.

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

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!

A must read orthodox book

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.