Elements - Volume I: The Transfiguration of Elijah - Earth & Water Paperback – November 29, 2021

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 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!

This book takes you to another place. I’m not a reader, but I could not put this book down. It has even opened my heart more to God. It was addicting, that’s how good the writing is!! You truly feel like you can imagine every scene in your head. You become attached to the characters. Love it so much.

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.

This book is so beautiful. It will leave you in tears; if you are going through grief or loss, this book will hit harder but help you heal along the way. It has changed my relationship with my faith for the better.

There is not enough that can be said about this book and the impact it has on the reader. I have felt every emotion reading this I’ve cried, I’ve laughed - beyond that, it’s changed my perspective of many things and people around me. It is beautifully written and captures the heart of the reader. The anticipation of the ending is well worth the entire journey this story takes you on. Highly highly recommend this book!!

I finished this book and I still reread it again to this day. Your life will change.