Royal Monastic: Princess Ileana of Romania
Here is a book that makes sanctity believable as well as attractive. At the end of the book, we feel that we truly know the saintly protagonist, and wish that we could get to know her even better. Although we cannot meet this remarkable woman on earth, we can rely on her heavenly prayers, and rejoice in her life, thanks to this wonderful new volume. --Fr. Lawrence Farley, author of Shepherding the Flock: The Pastoral Epistles from St. Paul the Apostle to Timothy and to TitusRoyal Monastic is an excellent and engaging historical biography of a truly remarkable princess turned monastic. As the founder of Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Elwood City, Pennsylvania, Mother Alexandra, Princess Ileana of Romania, is an example of Orthodox Christian virtues of love, suffering and self-sacrifice. --Chrissi Hart, author of The Hermit, the Icon, and the Emperor: The Holy Virgin Comes to Cyprus and Under the Grapevine: A Miracle by St. KendeasRoyal Monastic is a portal into a small and vital corner of Eastern European life during a time of great struggle. Princess Ileana's commitment to Orthodox monasticism in the latter part of her life, as Mother Alexandra, has left the royal seed of Orthodox altruism planted on American soil, leaving a lasting and growing vine of Truth. This is a history well worth reading. --Claire Brandenburg, author of Song of the Talanton, The Monk Who Grew Prayer, and Daniel and the Lion