Novato Author to Talk about Spiritual Journey to Eastern Orthodox Life

Veronica "Polly" Hughes said she was attracted to the teachings of eastern religions and new age philosophy years ago, prompting her to embark on an introspective journey that is uncommon in most Americans.

The spiritual trek taken by this Novato resident has resulted in her new book, “The Pearl of Great Price,” which she’ll talk about March 19 at a book signing at the clubhouse in southern Novato. The book is a personal memoir about a New Age seeker exploring the light of Christ and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

“I have journeyed long and far to discover my Pearl,” Hughes said. “Not until I had healed and reconciled both personally and with the church could I move beyond judging it and myself to be able to touch the heart of my personal struggles to find the ‘Truth, the Way and the Light.’”

After many years as an Orthodox Christian, Hughes was asked to write about her journey to Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Raised Roman Catholic in San Francisco's Italian North Beach, she became disillusioned with the Catholic church during her teen years and turned to eastern religions and New Age spirituality to fill her spiritual longing. Along the way she participated extensively in yoga, EST, countless New Age programs, and metaphysics. She became a facilitator for channeling in the Bay Area. 

After 25 years of struggles and seeking, she “recognized God's mercy” at key moments in her spiritual journey and converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity to the shock of herself, students and friends. Her story is filled with humor, admitted self-denial, authentic anger, discovery and transformation by the hand of God, leading her closer to Truth.

Bobby Maddex, Ancient Faith Radio senior editor for Salvo Magazine, gives a glowing review of Hughes’ book.  

 “If you don't believe in the reality of spiritual warfare, if you are convinced that miracles belong to a bygone era, if you have always assumed that all paths to the Orthodox Church are basically the same, then you must read The Pearl of Great Price,’” Maddex writes. “The book is likewise a precious gem — a moving memoir that you are sure to treasure for its grateful testament to the grace of God.”

Hughes, a Novato resident for about seven years, is under a three-year contract with a publisher, WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson Publishing. She bought a package under which the company prints books on demand and sells them to traditional booksellers.

Hughes’ book event Saturday starts at 11 a.m. in the Fireside Room at the park’s clubhouse, 100 Marin Valley Drive. For more information about the book or to listen one of several linked podcasts, visit www.pearlofgreatpriceorthodox.com or pearlofgreatpricebook.wordpress.com.