three ears of wheat

Bishop Erik Varden of Norway lives in the past. As a Trappist monk and former abbot, he follows an ancient rule and held a position of leadership in an order with roots stretching back a millennium. He studies dead languages and popularizes the third- and fourth-century teachings of the Desert Fathers. In his writing, he makes casual reference to obscure black and white films, old operas, poems, and fairy tales. And yet, at a recent speaking engagement, this Bishop of Trondheim, Norway – a medium-sized city six hours’ drive from Oslo – was introduced as “a man who knows what time it is.”

In his recently published essay collection, Bishop Erik Varden sees hopeful signs of a spiritual revival stirring.