Abba Dorotheos was a holy monk and an active missionary. He did not keep the gifts of his personal sanctification to himself. His life of obedience was filled with works of love that alleviated the physical pains of his neighbors and uplifted their souls towards the life of the Spirit. This dual purpose, of monastic holiness and missionary activity, is also the motivation behind our publications "Preparation".

The phenomenon of many young people in our Homeland turning towards the sources of non-Christian Eastern religions is the dreadful result brought about by our estrangement from Orthodox Spirituality, from the God-illumined Patristic thought, and from the Christ-imitating life of our holy Fathers. This is an additional reason that makes the publication of this work imperative and timely.
With the efforts of the Holy Monastery, today we can have the translation along with the text of this very precious work of Abba Dorotheos, which we have titled: "Ascetic Works of Abba Dorotheos". [...]

(from the book's preface)