Faculty and Staff
Kyriacos Markides, Professor
5728 Fernald Hall, Room 211
Orono, ME 04469-5728
(207) 581-2390
markides@maine.edu
Ph.D., Wayne State University, 1970
Kyriacos' areas of interest in teaching
and research are: sociology of religion, sociological theory, sociology
of mental illness and sociology of violence and international terrorism.
Kyriacos' research has ranged from projects related to political
sociology and nationalist movements
to the sociology of religion, non-medical healing and Christian
mysticism. For the last twenty years he has
been exploring the lives and teachings of Christian mystics, healers,
and miracle workers and monastics around the world. In this area he has
written several important books published in English and in eight other
languages.
Books
•
The Magus of Strovolos: The
Extraordinary World of a Spiritual Healer (ISBN 0-14-019034-1)
•
Homage to the Sun: The Wisdom of the Magus of Strovolos (ISBN
0-14-019024-4)
•
Fire in the Heart: Healers, Sages, and Mystics (ISBN 0-14-019285-9)
•
Riding with the Lion: In Search of Mystical Christianity (ISB
0-14-019418-9)
All of the above books are available in
paperback published by Viking Penguin at 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY
10014, USA. In England they can be ordered at Penguin Books Ltd, 27
Wrights Land, London W8 5TZ. All of the books are available at
www.Amazon.com and
are found in major bookstores in the U.S., Canada, England and
internationally.
•
The
Mountain of Silence: A Search for Orthodox Spirituality (ISBN
0-385-50091-2)
In this latest book (Doubleday/Random House, September 2001) Kyriacos
continues his exploration of Christian mysticism through his participant
observation work with charismatic monks, hermits and celebrated living
saints of Eastern Christianity.
Praise for Kyriacos C. Markides'
Books
Ever
Since his childhood, Kyriacos C. Markides has heard mysterious rumours
about the 'Magus of Strovolos', Cyprus's ' leading specialist of the
netherworld'.
Yet it was only when he revisited his
native island as an adult that he learned to appreciate the full powers
and wisdom of a gentle and humorous grandfather who was also a master
healer and spiritual teacher. In this enthralling book he combines the
skepticism of a trained sociologist with the passion of a disciple to
explore the innerworld and beliefs of a truly remarkable man. From his
exorcism of a Jewish girl haunted by Nazi ghosts to the theory of
reincarnation, the Magus reveals again and again the value of a personal
philosophy that draws on many sources but is firmly based on a belief in
'Holyspirit'. For anyone who suspects that there are vast domains beyond
the ken of Western materialism and science, his miracle cures and
insights will prove a revelation.
'This is a really marvelous book. I certainly think it is one of the
most extraordinary accounts of a "magical" personality since Ospensky's
account of Gurdjieff'
-Colin Wilson
'Markides succeeds where Carlos Casteneda came up short'
-Antonio T. deNicolas, Professor of Philosophy, SUNY, Stonybrook
'The work is a real contribution and exemplifies the best aspects of
participant observation.'
-Michael Harner
Homage
to the Sun is a haunting book - not only for what it is, a remarkable
study of a modern Christian mystic - but for what it implies: a vast
source of spiritual knowledge, understanding, and practice, that is
largely unknown to us'
-Professor Jacob Needleman
Homage to the Sun continues the remarkable account of the extraordinary
life of Daskalos, the 'Magus of Strovolos', a mystic and psychic who
offers loving assistance to those seeking spiritual guidance, advice and
healing. As Professor Markides faithfully chronicles al that takes place
in his meeting with him, we are introduced to the foundations of the
Magus's world - a world of miraculous healings, telepathy and journeys
out of the body and a world where simple and beautifully guided
meditations can bring protection to self and others.
'Markides succeeds where Carlos Casteneda came up short.
- Antonio T. deNicolas, Professor of Philosophy, SUNY, Stonybrook
'A profound and exciting work of major importance. [Markides] has had
the courage to address possibilities which are for the most part ignored
in much of contemporary thought. It may be that Professor Markides and
others like him who have the courage to explore, are on the brink of
remarkable discoveries about the nature of man'
- Dr. Raymond Moody
"A
SPIRITUALLY ENLIGHTENING
AND PENETRATING BOOK: -Geddes MacGregor
Professor of Philosophy, University of Southern California
In this third book of the trilogy that began with The Magus of Strovolos
and Homage to the Sun, Kyriacos Markides continues his fascination
pursuit of the mystical teachings of Daskalos and Kostas, two Greek
Cypriot healers and masters of metaphysical knowledge. Returning again
to his native land to immerse himself in the cosmology of the Erevna
(the Research of the Truth), Markides skillfully chronicles the
intriguing lives ad experiences of these mystics living in a
contemporary society-the beautiful yet politically chaotic world of
Cyprus.
Both a tour through the world of psychic and magical personalities, and
a unique exploration of human consciousness, Fire in the Heart will
captivate readers of mysticism, the paranormal, spiritual healing, and
anyone striving to know the true nature of reality.
"This book marvels. Markides has gifted us with his remarkable grasp of
the implications of the philosophy and practice of those who would
reenchant the world."
-Jean Houston, Ph.D., author of The Search for the Beloved
"An excellent read on a living master shaman and healer."- Albuquerque
Journal
"Riding
with the Lion is a penetrating insight into profound spiritual truths.
It is written with the critical eye of a scholar and the courage of a
true spiritual adventurer.
"There is an old saying" 'If you want to hide the treasure, put it in
plain sight.' In Riding with the Lion, Markides finds a treasure which
has been in plain sight but which we have overlooked for as very long
time - a body of mystical teachings anchored in Christianity. For those
who believe mystical spirituality is found only in the Orient, this book
will come as a marvelous revelation.
"Riding with the Lion has the ring of common sense and uncommon wisdom.
It will help restore meaning and purpose to many Westerners who hunger
for a mystical element in their spiritual lives, and who wish to remain
within their own religious traditions."
- Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Healing Words
"Riding with the Lion" is a compelling glimpse into the heart of
mystical Christianity. It sparkles with the wisdom of modern saints."
-Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Minding the Body, Mending the Soul
"Markides continues to explore the fascinating world of the mystical and
deftly interprets its connections not just to Orthodox Christianity but
to all spirituality. He warns against fakers and fiends but helps us see
the real thing when it's there."
-Harvey Cox, Thomas Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School
"Riding with the Lion weaves a wondrous bridge between shamanic
consciousness and the so-called reality of the everyday world. Under the
sacred spirit of Mount Athos, Kyriacos Markides transforms ordinary
vision."
-Lynn Andrews, authors of Medicine Woman
In
an emerging combination of dialogues, reflections, conversations,
history, and travel information, Kyriacos C. Markides continue the
exploration of a spiritual tradition and practice little known in the
West he began with Riding with the Lion. His earlier book took readers
to the isolated peninsula of Mount Athos in northern Greece and into a
group of ancient monasteries. There, in what might be called a
"Christian Tibet," two thousand monks and hermits practice the spiritual
arts to attain a oneness with God. In his new book, Markides follows
Father Maximos, one of Mount Athos's monks, to the troubled island of
Cyprus. As Father Maximos establishes churches, convents, and
monasteries in this deeply divided land, Markides is awakened anew to
the magnificent spirituality of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Images of the land and the people of Cyprus and details of its tragic
history enrich The Mountain of Silence. Like the writings of Castaneda,
the book brilliantly evokes the confluence of an inner and outer
journey. The depth and richness of its spiritual message echo the
thoughts and writings of Saint Francis of Assisi and other great saints
of the Church as well. The result is a remarkable work-a moving,
profoundly human examination of the role and the power of spirituality
in complex and confusing world.
"I was most interested in the text, and I have learnt many things from
it. It forms an excellent overview of traditional Orthodox ascetic and
spiritual teaching, in a lively style which may reach people who would
not read a more 'ecclesiastical' presentation. May it do much good."
-Bishop Kallistos Ware, Professor of Religion, Oxford University
