Father Arseny, 1893-1973 : priest, prisoner, spiritual father : being the narratives compiled by the servant of God Alexander concerning his spiritual father

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. 18736 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. His sights set on God and his life grounded in the Church, Father Arseny lived by injunction to 'bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ' (Galatians 6:2). This narrative, compiled from accounts of Father Arseny's spiritual children and 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. Emerging from the context of the particular tragedies of Soviet Russia, this book carries a universal impact certain to be felt by readers in the West today. Translators Foreword Introduction The Camp The Prison Camp The Barracks The Patients The Silly Priest "Stop This!" A Summons to the Major Life Goes On "Where Two or Three Are Gathered in My Name" "The Fair One" "O Mother of God! Do Not Abandon Them!" Mihail "Whose Side Are You On, Priest?" Sazikov The Confession "I Will Not Leave You" A Hard Trek "I Order You to Stop!" A Joy Life Continues The Interrogation Major Changes Leave-Taking Departure The Path Introduction to Part II I Remember Notes of a Woman Named Tatiana We Meet Again Letters: Excerpts from the Memoirs of O.S. Returning from the Past I Remember Irina The Journalist The Musician Two Steps to the Side I Am Freezing The Boots Spiritual Children "O Victorious Leader of Triumphant Hosts!" Father Matthew Father Platon Skorino Mother Maria O Mother of God, Help Me! On the Roof An Admission A Note A Panikhida I Deliver Letters Lena Liuda A Few Sad Thoughts Pavel Semionovich A Few Words in Conclusion Translator's Afterword 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 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. The Camp -- The Path -- Spiritual Children. Translated From The Russian By Vera Bouteneff.