Father Arseny, 1893-1973
by Alexander, servant of god
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Description
It is one of the great mysteries of life that in atmospheres of the harshest cruelty, a certain few not only survive but emerge as beacons of light and life. Father Arseny, former scholar of church art, became Prisoner No. 18376 in the brutal "special sector" of the Soviet prison camp system. In the darkness of systematic degradation of body and soul, he shone with the light of Christ's peace and compassion. This narrative, compiled from accounts of Father Arseny's spiritual children and show more others whom he brought to God, gives stirring glimpses of his life in prison camp and after his release. It also tells the stories of people whose lives, often during times of almost unimaginable crisis, were touched and transfigured through their connection with Father Arseny. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Its been several years since I've read this book but I felt I must say something about this book in case you were considering reading it. It is almost impossible to read this book without being inspired to be something more than you are as a human being. I am an Orthodox Christian and must say I do not believe you need to be an Orthodox Christian to appreciate this book. In the face of humiliation and persecution, this man didn't just plod along, he actively engaged people whose hearts would have seemed irredeemable to most people. This book is a piece of modern spiritual history as well as a great encouragement and challenge to all Christians and other peace loving people.
Incredibly inspiring. This book is hard to put down. Fr. Arseny shows us what it truly means to be devoted to Christ and how to live a Christian existence. It also paints a horrifyingly vivid picture of what life in the Soviet Gulag was like. It amazes me that a person could have survived, let alone thrived in such a situation. It just truly shows us what devoting your life to Christ can bring about. Fr. Arseny will likely be canonized for his great spirit and miracle working. Pray for us Father.
It is not clear whether "Fr. Arseny" actually existed. Perhaps we should think of this book as pious fiction. For various opinions, see at the links from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Father_Arseny
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Author Information
1 Work 300 Members
Some Editions
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Father Arseny, 1893-1973
- Original title
- Otets Arsenii.
- Alternate titles
- Father Arseny, 1893–1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father: Being the Narratives Compiled by the Servant of God Alexander concerning His Spiritual Father
- Original publication date
- 1993
- First words
- The darkness of the night and the cruel cold paralyzed everything.
- Blurbers
- Hopko, Thomas
- Original language
- Russian
Classifications
- Genres
- Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 281.9092 — Religion Christian denominations Early church and Eastern churches Eastern or Greco-Russian or Holy orthodox church Biography and History Biography
- LCC
- BX597 .A74 .O7413 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Christian Denominations Christian Denominations Orthodox Eastern Church Divisions of the church Russian Church
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 300
- Popularity
- 106,485
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (4.55)
- Languages
- English, Russian
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 3
