Reddit mentions of Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father : Being the Narratives Compiled by the Servant of God Alexander Concerning His Spiritual Father

This chapter is from a series of memoirs circulated as samizdat during the atheist regime, published in English as Father Arseny, 1893-1973: priest, prisoner, spiritual father (Read online) (Hard copy at Amazon) and Father Arseny: A cloud of Witnesses (Read online) (Hard copy at Amazon).

For those who are interested: here's an interview with Dr. Peter Bouteneff about these books (MP3) and here's a photo of Fr Arseny's grave in Rostov, which is maintained by his surviving spiritual children.

I love Christian books and music!

Some examples of some really great Christian books are:

• Everyday Saints
  
  
• Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
  
  
• The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society
  
  
• May God Give You Wisdom!: The Letters of Fr. John Krestiankin
  
  
• The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios
  
  
• Letters to Spiritual Children
  
  
• Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father
  
  These are some of the best Christian books you will find anywhere - you can check out their reviews on Amazon through the links above. The first book was the #1 bestselling book in Russia (of all genres), recently translated into English.
  
  For Christian music, I like to listen to the music stream of Ancient Faith Radio. They publish the titles so you can track down and purchase the piece if you like it.

Mountain of Silence - by Kyriakos Markides

https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Silence-Search-Orthodox-Spirituality/dp/0385500920

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Fr Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father

https://www.amazon.com/Father-Arseny-1893-1973-Narratives-Concerning/dp/0881411809

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The Orthodox Church - Timothy Ware

https://www.amazon.com/Orthodox-Church-New-Timothy-Ware/dp/0140146563

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Byzantine Thought and Art - Constantine Cavarnos

https://www.amazon.com/Byzantine-Thought-Art-Constantine-Cavarnos/dp/0914744224

I would recommend the book, Father Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father. It is about a Russian Orthodox priest who suffered for years in a Soviet Gulag but never lost hope, or even joy. I have turned to it many times as a contemporary example of perseverance in accordance with the Gospel teaching.

Just finished: Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father : Being the Narratives Compiled by the Servant of God Alexander Concerning His Spiritual Father

Next up: The End Is Near...Or Maybe Not!

Those interested in this topic would do well to read the book Everyday Saints. And Father Arseny. The revolution was utter destruction, but did not come out of the blue. As far as the Church is concerned, and this Father Arseny explains beautifully, the revolution was a result of the clergy especially and the laity forgetting God, living an ungodly life, ... So the Church was in a bad state before the revolution and the revolution nearly destroyed what was left of it. Expecting everything to be rosy right away is, well, expecting somewhat of a miracle! And so far as I understand, much of the Russian clergy understands this quite well. The ones who survived Communism know what it's like to keep the flame burning despite dire circumstances, and they know that today's circumstances though better, are still dire.

Within the Eastern Orthodox faith, we believe that miracles are an everyday occurrence. Read, for example, Father Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father or Everyday Saints

A book about a heroic soul named Fr. Arseny. May it edify you like it has edified me.

https://www.amazon.com/Father-Arseny-1893-1973-Narratives-Concerning/dp/0881411809