Everyday Saints and Other Stories

by Tikhon Shevkunov, Julian Henry Lowenfeld (Translator)

More than a million copies and several million electronic versions of this book have sold in less than a year. Everyday Saints and Other Stories is the English translation of a work that has soared at the top of the bestseller lists in Russia since its publication in late 2011. Its readership spans philosophical boundaries, from the devoutly religious to the vehemently atheist.

Discover a wondrous, enigmatic, remarkably beautiful, yet absolutely real world. Peer into the mysterious Russian soul, where happiness reigns no matter what life may bring.
Page upon page of thanks, praise, and testimonies to the life-changing effect of these bright, good-hearted, and poignant tales have flooded the Russian media. This book has been the cause of many sleepless but happy nights: “I couldn’t put it down—was sorry when it ended” is the common reaction.

The book is already appearing in ten different languages. This English translation, Everyday Saints, is every bit as charming as the original.

Genres: Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Spirituality, Russia, Theology

490 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Meseceva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divna, topla, umirujuća knjiga o snazi vere. Čitajući, imala sam osećaj da mi priča moja baka dok pijemo čaj, pucketaju drva u šporetu, a na selo se spušta noć. Priče uz koje ćete razmišljati o promislu, duhu, iskušenjima, iskupljenjima i još mnogo čemu, napisane pitkim stilom, ali tako da se u svakoj rečenici ogleda jasna i nepokolebljiva istina.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прекрасная книга, написанная по-настоящему искренне и светло. Чтение этой книги можно было бы определить как чистую радость. Сплетение святоотеческого предания и городского рассказа, древних патериков и современных коллизий - делает книгу отца Тихона истинным украшением современной русской литературы.

[Daniel Molyneux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trivia time… What is the bestselling book in Russia since the fall of Communism (besides the Bible)?

We went to Doma Knegy (House of Books bookstore) across from Kazan Cathedral on Nevsky Prospect. I bought a book that looked interesting. Turns out it is the bestselling book in Russia since the fall of communism. First Published in 2011, within a year the book had sold more than 1 million hard copies and several million e-book copies.

EVERYDAY SAINTS AND OTHER STOREIS by Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) is the bestselling book in Russia since communism’s fall.

EVERYDAY SAINTS is a 500 page book written by a Russian Orthodox monk (Archimandrite Tikhon), telling about his conversion to faith in Soviet Russia during the early 1980s while attending film school, his subsequent experiences as a Monk in the Pskov Caves Monastery, and the stories of various monks in the monastery.

It is a fantastic book. I highly recommend it.

Can you imagine a Christian book being the equivalent of a “Harry Potter-like blockbuster” in the Russian publishing world? This is truly AMAZING.

If you want to learn more about the persecutions of Christians during the Communist era, and about Orthodox spirituality, this is the book for you.

Proceeds go to build a church in memory of the millions of Christian martyrs killed during Soviet rule.

Daniel Molyneux, American author of THE ANGEL OF ANTIOCH

[Macaria Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful series of stories written by the Abbot of a monastery in Moscow, all from his personal experience. He is a very good story teller and the book is well translated. Many of the stories revolve around the monastery in Pechory during the Communist era. This was the only monastery in Russia to remain open during the entire communist era. This is true because during the worst of the persecutions it was actually on the other side of the border in Estonia. But it is also true, as we learn in these stories, because of the wiliness and quick thinking of the abbots. Not all the stories are about Saints. There are also what you would call cautionary tales, striking because of the immedeiacy of the author's experience. This is a book to be enjoyed on many levels--you don't have to be Orthodox to appreciate it. It is certainly of historical interest, but above all it is entertaining. A dubious honor for a spiritual book, but nevertheless true

[Jadranka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Предивна књига. Чак и онима који нису верујући топло препоручујем због дивних особа које су описане у овим причама.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, delightful and inspiring book. It provides insight into Russian lives and faith in a way few Americans have known. One book I never wanted to end.

[Maureen E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the Orthodox book I’ve appreciated most in the last several years. Clear, approachable, and humorous, it’s one I’ll be returning to again and again.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible collection of stories about the priests, deacons, bishops, and patriarchs of Russia during the end of the Communist era and into this century. Wonderfully rendered, one to dip in and out of often.

[Oskar]

Mu Võru vanaisa oli eelmise aasta lõpus kuni selle aasta alguses raskelt haige. Temale mõeldes tuli mulle meelde, kuidas ta oli mitmeid aastaid tagasi mulle seda raamatut soovitanud. Olin külas ja vanaisa näitas muheledes, et ta oli selle raamatu ostnud ning et siin on vahvaid lugusid Petseri kloostrist ja mujalt. Laenutasin Tallinnas rahvusraamatukogust raamatu, et lugema hakata ning samal õhtul sain kõne, et vanaisat enam ei ole. Matusteks Võrru minnes jätkasin lugemist juba vanaisa isiklikust eksemplarist, tema 2017. a Viking lotto pilet järjehoidjaks.

Vanaisa oli üks neist vanakooli meestest, kes ei räägi oma tunnetest ja veel vähem oma hingeelust. Ta oli küll suurepärane vestluskaaslane seltskonnas, aga teine kord vaata et ärritus, kui küsida temalt midagi tema mineviku või kohta. „Miks sul seda vaja teada on?” (Ikka sellepärast, et me armastame sind, vanaisa, isa või abikaasa, ja me hea meelega õpiks sind veel paremini tundma, aga kahjuks sellised lihtsad asjad tulevad miskipärast vahel nii keeruliselt.) Küll aga teadsime, et ta sündis Setumaal Obinitsas õigeusklikus peres ning vähemal või rohkemal moel ta usku ka praktiseeris. Põhiline lugu ja uhkuse moment, mida alati räägiti, oli et tema isa (minu vanavanaisa Mihhail) aitas Obinitsa kirikut ehitada. Tema jaoks olid olulised ka mõned vana kalendri järgi peetavad pühad ning eriti tuntud püha meie peres oli paasapäev – setude kirikupüha, mil tuhanded(!) inimesed tulevad kokku Obinitsa surnuaiale, katavad sugulaste haudadel laua hea-paremaga ning mälestavad lahkunuid ja kohtuvad muude sugulaste-tuttavatega. Vanaisa eestvedamisel on nii ka meie pere seal korduvalt käinud ning vanaisa ise vast pea igal aastal, k.a oma viimasel. Lisaks meenub mulle, kuidas kunagi kinkis vanaisa mulle ühe tibatillukese ikooni, mille ma siis kodus oma raamaturiiulile panin. Ega ta sealjuures ei seletanud, et mis see on või miks ta selle mulle annab, aga võib arvata, et ju see võis talle päris oluline olla.

Seega soovisin seda raamatut lugeda, et ehk saada natukenegi lisasissevaadet sellesse, milline inimene oli mu vanaisa või et misasi see õigeusk üldse on. Lisaks, religioonikauge inimesena nagu ikka paljud minuvanused, on usuteema alati mulle nii huvitav tundunud. Lihtsalt ei kujuta ette, mis tunne see oleks uskuda millessegi sellisesse või jälgida mingit dogmat või kogeda midagi, mida ma saaks siiralt kutsuda imeks jne.

Vanaisa jaoks oli väga tähtis ka see, et osa raamatust räägib Petseri kloostrist. Petseri kloostri kohta olen ma ka palju lugusid kuulnud. Nõukaajal sai käisid nad seal tihti, nii vanaisa täitsa väikese poisina, aga ka hiljem, kui mu ema väike oli, oli Petserisse ikka asja. Kui juba Obinitsas käia, siis ikka korraks ka Petserist läbi põigata. Ise ka imestan, et Petseri on tänasest Eesti piirist ainult kolm kilomeetrit, lausa jalutuskaugusel.

Kõik Petseri kloostrisse puutuv on ka kaugelt raamatu parim osa. Üldse, tahtsin huviga kuulda, kuidas autor oma mälestusi alustab, et tõesti kuidas sa siis satud nõukogude korra ametlikus ateismis lõpuks kloostrisse. Tihhon (Ševkunov) alustas filmitudengina, aga siis kuidagi läbi paari sündmuse ja vestluse kohalike preestritega hakkas talle tasapisi tunduma, et (õige)usk on see ainus asi, millele oma elu pühendada. Aga need head tudengiaastate kirjeldused jäidki nii lühikeseks ja see usku pöördumine tunduski mulle ikkagi tulevat justkui eikusagilt. Minusugune pagan ei mõistnud, kuidas see nii lihtsalt tulla sai. Minul oleks küll nii palju rohkem veenmist või misiganes imejuhtumeid vaja, et ma ateistlikust elust sellise meeletu kogu senisele elule hüvasti jätmise ning kloostrisse mungaks minemise kannapöörde teeksin.

Aga nagu öeldud, siis see noore mungana Petseri kloostrisse sattumine oli teose parim osa. Saan aru, et Petseri klooster tõesti on üks erilisemaid ja uhkemaid oma tagasihoidlike rikkuste, lilleaedade, eraldatuse ning maa-aluste koobastega. Muuhulgas on see ainus klooster, mis on nii pikalt ja kogu oma tegutsemisaja jäänud avatuks, k.a terve II maailmasõja ning nõukogude aja. Raamatust saab lugeda, kuidas kloostriseinte vahel avaneb täiesti teistsugune maailm. Kujutan ette, et see kontrast nõukogude halli argipäevaga võib olla meeletu, mh regulaarne uhke toitlustus, mis polnud tol ajal sugugi naljaasi.

Parim osa Petseri kloostrist on omakorda selle asukad. Toredad vanad staaretsid, kes on end täielikult usumaailmale pühendanud, aga omal huvitaval moel on nii elukogenud ja haritud. Minu lemmik neist on isa Joann (Krestjankin). Tema kõlab mulle nagu see, kuidas ma ette kujutaks ühte vahvat pappi. Joann veetis noorena rasket aega vangilaagrites, aga oli kirjeldatu järgi kõige lahkem, armsam ja elutargem inimene, keda sa kunagi tunda võiksid. Muuhulgas oli isa Joann tuntud ka oma selgeltnägemise poolest. Vestledes vanaemaga üllatusin ma, et ta ise ka mäletab seda Joanni ning teadis lisada, et too rääkis ka väga head eesti keelt ning sai kaugelt aru, kes on eestlane ning pöördus nende poole eesti keeles. Raamatut teises pooles toimuvad paljud lood juba mujal Venemaal, väljaspool Petseri kloostrit. Mälestused stiilis „Vaat sellised lood sünnivad praeguses Moskvas”, jätavad mind aga palju külmemaks.

Teine täiesti eraldi teema on selle raamatu seos filmiga „Nähtamatu võitlus”. Mul polnud enne lugema hakkamist aimugi, aga Rainer Sarnet on siit ikka väga palju inspiratsiooni ammutanud ning mitmeid seiku ka otse filmi tõstnud. Kes on filmi näinud, siis naljad nagu munga tagumikku löömine, katkine lüliti, ekskursioonil peldiku näitamine või ka autoga kihutamine ning see, et nii filmi kui raamatu (ja muidugi päriselu Petseri) kloostris on koopad (kus pühad säilmed ei haise mitte kunagi). Samuti nimetatakse raamatus mungaelu korduvalt „nähtamatuks võitluseks”.

Veel täiesti möödavaatamatu teema on raamatu taust. On ikka täiesti teine tunne mul nüüd sellist vene autori raamatut lugeda 2025. aasta Eestis. Ja veel millise autori. Tihhon on üks vene õigeusu kiriku mõjukamaid inimesi ning Putini nõunik usuasjades. Tihhoni töökoht on pidada kloostrit okupeeritud Krimmis. Mitteüllatuslikult on tema maailmavaade ka õigeusu konservatiivse maailma skaalal väga konservatiivne, nt on ta oikumeeniavastane ja usub, et katoliiklased ei moodusta isegi õiget kirikut ega ole kristlased. Õnneks on raamatu tõlk teinud palju tänuväärt allmärkuseid, kusjuures vahel täiendades autorile või mõnele teisele inimesele esitatud süüdistuste nimekirja või ei lase autoril laskuda ülemäärastesse ajaloo ilustustesse. Sellele vaatamata on ilmne, et tegemist pole mingi objektiivse käsitlusega, kuidas saakski. Täiesti eraldi teema on vene võimu ning õigeusu kiriku suhe. Mingil määral on sellised võimusuhted, kuigi mitte tänase valitsusega, ka raamatus kajastatud ja see kõik on huvitav, aga kindlasti tuleb siin kõik eriti ülelihtsustatud vaatepunktist ning misiganes reaalsus on lausa jälk.

Autoriga otseselt seotud on see, et veel hiljaaegu oli Tihhon viis aastat Petseri kloostri juht ning väidetavalt külastas Putin kloostrit selle aja jooksul kaks korda ning kloostri 550. aastapäeva puhul eraldati sellele ca 45 miljonit eurot – tasub õiges seltskonnas hõõruda. Muudest lugudest lasi Putin 2023. aastal oma võimumängude käigus otsese käsuga anda Vene Õigeusu Kirikule Tretjakovi galeriist ainsa teadaoleva meister Andrei Rubljovi maalitud tänaseni säilinud, XV sajandist pärit ikooni „Kolmainsus”. Maali toomisele galerii professionaalsetest tingimustest kloostrite rõskusesse oli vastu terve kunstiprofessionaalide üldsus. Pole vist üllatus, et lisaks inimeludele pole Putini võimumängudes püha ka hindamatu kultuuripärand. Lisaks Venemaa näidetele tuleb mulle meelde ka Radu Jude filmides välja toodud erinevad viisid, mil ka Rumeenia õigeusu kiriku huvides on ajaloos olnud kõik muu kui süütute inimeste elud. Seega on vene õigeusu kiriku ühe olulisema funktsionääri raamatut kahtlemata keeruline lugeda. Samal ajal teades ka, et Venemaal on see teos täielik peavool, mis on müünud üle kolme miljoni eksemplari. Ilmumisaastal ostsid venelased enam ainult „Viiskümmend halli varjundit”.

Ka suhtumise poolest sai autor teose jooksul mulle peaaegu eemaletõukavaks. Ma ei tea, kui mõjutatud ma olin tema teosevälisest putinistlikust taustast, aga Tihhonil ei tundugi olevat südames nii palju armastust iga inimese vastu nagu nt tema kunagisel vaimulikul isal Joannil. Tekstist vaatab vastu kohati lausa üleolev hoiak. Ma ootaks temalt kui ühelt vagalt usuvennalt lõputut andestust ja alandlikkust, aga läbi kumab ikkagi ka sedasama mainitud ilmselget võimuiha, aga ka väikeste momentide upsakust. Juhtumid stiilis: „Me ei lasknud tal seda unustada,” või „Me rääkisime kõik teda taga,” ei tekita minus kuidagi usaldust ega soovi hakata võtma tõsisemalt või tahta lähemalt tegemist teha ei selle raamatu enda ega õigeusu(kiriku)ga. Ka pealkiri „Mittepühad pühakud” viitab sellele, et autori sõbrad, head kristlased, pole mingid perfektsed inglid nagu võiks ette kujutada, vaid inimesed nagu sina ja mina. Kes on toriseja, kellel on kange kirg kiiruste vastu. (Aga pühakud on nad siiski, sest pühakud on kõik, kes on oma südamesse niivõrd võtnud selle ühe jumala eksole.) Muidugi ongi asja mõte pattu kahetseda ja tasapisi oma teel muudkui armulisemaks saada, aga autor lihtsalt ei tundu mulle selline tore tavainimene, kellega vahvatest seiklustest ma tahaks nii väga kuulda. Küllap ei saagi jääda normaalseks vagameheks inimene nagu Tihhon (Ševkunov), kes on töötanud muuhulgas (kiriku)kolhoosi esimehena ning kelle tänane töö on olla kiriku administratiivne-poliitiline juht ning osaleda misiganes kohtumistel, mille tulemuseks on mitmekümnemiljonine toetus Putinilt. Mingit võlu näen ma tõesti siiski Petseri kloostri mõnes paremas pojas või oleks sama raamat võinud olla hoopis Joann (Krestjankini) perspektiivist kirjutatud ja ma oleksin võinud need leheküljed elada täielikult kas tema või miks mitte ka Zaporožetsiga kihutava isa Rafaili maailmanägemuses. Oeh.

Igatahes olen ma nüüd viimasel ajal kuidagi palju aega õigeusu juures veetnud ja mul on palju parem ettekujutus, et millised need hierarhiad seal on, millised võivad olla kloostrid-kirikud ja vaimulikud ning eelmisel pühapäeval käisime perega (vanavanaisa ehitatud kirikus) vanaisa mälestusteenistusel. Hetkel, kui keegi ütleks sõna kristlus, siis ma kujutaksin esimesena vaimusilmas ette nüüd õigeusku. Varem oleks mulle pähe karanud pigem kujutluspilt mõnest luteri kiriku jumalateenistusest. Võin ainult loota, et ehk olen selle ajaga jõudnud kuidagi ka oma vanaisa sisemaailmale lähemale.

Annaks jumal siis, et kunagi kusagil saan ma ikka isa Joanni, isa Nikita ning oma vanaisaga teed juua ja sellest usuküsimusest lähemalt rääkida. Loodan, et õigeusklikud annavad mulle andeks, et ma põhimõtteliselt iga oma ihukarvaga kahtlen, et selline asi päriselt kunagi juhtuda saab. Aga jumal seda teab

[Jovana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Predivne priče koje će sigurno ostati dugo u sećanju, ukazujući na snagu i moć prave, istinske vere. Mnoštvo likova toliko različitih, a opet toliko istih. Na prvi pogled običnih, a zapravo veoma posebnih ljudi.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Russian title of this wonderful, edifying book could be better translated as Unsaintly Saints. Archimandrite Tikhon has gives us a lively, irresistibly readable account of his own conversion and entry into monasticism in the depths of the Soviet period. This leads into his firsthand accounts of the many godly strugglers that he met in one of the only monasteries left open in communist times. The stories are inspiring and at the same time refreshingly free of the varnished style that we usually find in lives of the saints.
There are some in the Orthodox world who say that the Church in Russia during Soviet times was a hopelessly compromised tool of the atheist state. This book helped me to understand the ways in which the Church worked to preserve the Faith in Russia under almost unimaginably difficult circumstances.
Archimandrite Tikhon doesn't avoid the foibles and failings of the characters he describes, and along with the "Unsaintly Saints" he shows us a number of crazies and con men. Such is the world we live in.
I can't recommend this book highly enough to any Christian reader, especially any Orthodox reader, who wants to be heartened by examples of true sanctity in our own time.

[Nathan Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of wonderful characters and stories in here so far. One from a chapter I just finished relates how the author was under pressure by Soviet authorities to create an "ecumenical" film about how all religions are basically the same, but he refused as he had been properly catechized regarding the profound error of ecumenism. But he eventually devises a plan to make a film about the unity of the Georgian and Russian churches (both Orthodox) which would get past Soviet censors because it being ostensibly "ecumenical". The film was to use footage of the harvesting and making of bread representing one church, and footage showing the harvesting of grapes and creation of wine process representing the other, with them coming together in the Eucharist which is the principle of unity. This is obviously not about being "ecumenical" but just a statement about the reality of unity in the Holy Orthodox Church in the Eucharist -- the body of Christ which constitutes and forms the body of Christ. Brilliant.

[Jacques-jude Lépine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason why this is such a big hit in Russia must be that, after the fall of anti-religious communism, people are eager to rediscover the very basics of traditional russian orthodoxy. If you are already familiar with the Orthodox world, you will not learn anything. If you are not, keep it mind this is only the Russian form of Orthodoxy, with a massive emphasis on the unofficial institution of the starestzii, the supernatural, extreme forms of pious ascesis, and a bond of absolute submission to the spiritual father. One may look at this with sympathy, but it is necessary to distinguish between the faith and its peculiar, cultural, and even folksy forms.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book you buy for family and friends so they can read it too. It encouraged my faith profoundly. By the end I slowed down my reading so I could savor each story even longer.

[Milan Trpkovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divna knjiga koja mi je razgalila i ugrejala dušu u ova teška vremena. Uživao sam u svim pričama i izvukao mnogo lepih lekcija. Ovo je knjiga kojoj ću se stalno vraćati.

[Readius Maximus · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and amazing book! It is simple and yet wonderful and tells you a lot about Russia that this is the second most popular book sold since the fall of Soviet Union. This is a great book to read to build your faith and see the Orthodox faith incarnated in people. The author claims they are ordinary but some definitely strike me as Saints. Some of the stories are downright funny too I laughed very hard which is very rare for me in a book. The people described in this book are so unique and yet wonderful in an inspiring way. Learning about the church in Russia after the Patriotic War to the 90s was very interesting as well.

[Anatoly Maslennikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Очень личная книга, написанная про друзей, знакомых и немного про себя, и ещё немного про знакомых знакомых.

Про церковь, которая гнется, но не ломается, про живущих в абхазских горах на нелегальном положении монахов до настоятеля Псково-Печерского монастыря, К КОТОРОМУ ездил местный КГБшник (а не наоборот, как с остальными). Про отсидевших по политическим статьям и фронтовиков, ушедших в монахи, творческую советскую элиту и старцев, проживших в храме всю жизнь. Про живых людей со своими слабостями и подвигами.

Другой момент, ясно видный на фоне недавно прочитанной книги Бориса Лурье - проблема множества православных церквей в России не поднимался. Ни про РПЦЗ, ни про старообрядцев, ни про раскольников-катакомбников автор плохих слов не пишет (разве что последних помянул не в самом лучшем ключе один из героев), что РПЦ лучше их не доказывает, и вообще никакой стены не возводит.

Несколько раз появлялось ощущение слишком уж нарочитой манипуляции моими эмоциями (автор - выпускник ВГИКа), но это ощущение быстро проходило.

[Nazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Несмотря на мое скептическое отношение к общему нынешнему состоянию православной церкви в России, книжка очень (ОЧЕНЬ!) замечательная. Сочный и щедрый русский язык и прекрасные истории из монастырской и околомонастырской жизни. В нескольких местах даже хотелось всплакнуть. Слава Богу, что помимо вот всей этой внешней несуразности в РПЦ, которую мы извне наблюдаем, внутри еще теплится искра настоящей веры, видной даже с моей "с гулькин нос" колокольни. По крайней мере Архимандрит Тихон меня в этом убедил

[Courtney Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was one of those that I was really really sad to finish. I told Josh the alternate title could very well be "the wacky adventures of Russian monks", and it was just a great mix of funny and inspiring stories of the monks of a particular monastery (mostly during the 80s-early aughts). I'd suggest it to anyone with an interest in monasticism.

[Isa Karathanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread recently for research, but the first time I read it in high school it kinda changed my life. Lowkey affirmed by belief in a greater power. Lovely portrayal of the kindest and gentlest parts of Orthodoxy. Would recommend if you are experiencing turmoil of the soul.

[Alex of Yoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

As per recommendation: This book was so good! Full of encouragement and inspiration. It's absolutely worth the hype.

This is a book of interconnected short reflections on the different people and experiences that the Russian author has encountered during his time as a monk. It includes his story of coming to the faith despite living in Soviet Russia and being raised to distrust religion. It also introduces the reader to various different monks, nuns, priests, and even lay people who have had an impact on him and helped showcase the light of Christ and His miraculous love in everyday life.

This book is massive, but it's divided up perfectly to be a "daily devotional" of sorts, which is how I used it. Each story is both quaint and astounding. I love how well the author brings each person to life. He does a fabulous job of introducing each personality in such a way as that you feel as if you've truly encountered them. He gives an unapologetic look at monastic life from an insider's perspective, as well as the encouraging, front-row seat to how, even with the government doing all it can to suppress it, Christ protects and strengthens His Church in quiet but no less powerful ways.

The writing is very accessible, with a personal storytelling style that isn't too difficult to understand. I'm not sure if a non-Orthodox Christian would understand it as well. There's a lot that is very Orthodox which the average American Protestant might find weird, confusing, or too diametrically opposed to what they believe. But I think it's worth a try. It's such an engaging and inspirational work, I found myself spiritually uplifted through the examples of these lovely, "everyday saints". If you're Orthodox and haven't read this yet, absolutely add it to your list.

[Sergey Lebedenko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Забористая пропаганда, при этом умная и хорошо написанная. Но пропаганда и в монастыре пропаганда, в какие одежды ее не ряди.

[Turkish · Rating 1 out of 5]

Масса восхищающихся критиков, Зильбельбыков в экстазе, комментарии в духе "10 из 10, ГОСПАДЕ", даже на гудридсе оценка 4,62. Для меня же наивная и неуклюжая игра с эмоциями человека.
Хорошее, безусловно, в книге присутствует. Стоит отметить, что книга все же "добрая". Милые истории, по-моему, и рассказываются либо для умиления, либо для доказательства чуда. Во-вторых, первые главы, посвященные монастырской жизни действительно необычные. Такого в художественной литературе я просто не читал. На этом, пожалуй, и все.
Книга, большей частью, состоит из разрозненных историй из жизни автора. Подавляющее количество этих историй несут цель, как я уже сказал, демонстрации чуда Божия. Не мне уличать архимандрита в харамности его веры, но, черт побери, какой же расцвет обрядоверия обнаруживается на страницах. И все бы ничего, если бы я был последователем коммунистической партии России - окрестил бы всех участвующих и читающих пгмутными и забыл. Но я и есть пгмнутый. И мнение мое таково, что пока такие книги, а не святоотеческая литература, являются путеводной звездой православия для захожан , до тех пор у нас будет такое православие. Простой язык, в данном случае, настолько оголяет те нитки, за которые старается дергать автор, чтобы задеть душу читающего, что в протяжении всего чтения меня не покидало ощущение какого-то фарса. Дело не в том, что это нереалистично, как раз наоборот, истории вполне себе могли произойти, они просто пошлые, топорные. Будто они были написаны в келье, придуманы, "чтоб как в жизни".
Книга не вызвала у меня ровным счетом никаких положительных эмоций. Говоря более обще, она даже не плохая, она "как земля". Я уже не говорю о тех странных сторонах православия, которые она продвигает. Да вера не сломлена после атеистического правления коммунистов, но исходя из книги, порой кажется, что дело не вере, не в приверженности, не в стойкости, не в возвышенности служителей Церкви; не в, если так угодно, сохранении Богом тела Своего, или, скажем, богоизбранности русской Церкви/православия/христианства; нет, из книги похоже, что дело в хитрожопости попов, таких же хитрожопых, как и сам автор, который так грубо пытается играть с моими эмоциями и моим религиозным чувством.
Хотите узнать о перипетиях жизни священника? Настоятельно рекомендую, вместо прочтения этой книги, посмотрите фильмы В.А. Золотухи "Попы" и "Ребро. Портрет жены художника на фоне эпохи". Люди в этих фильмах попросту живее, а сословие кажется действительно достойным называться священнослужителями.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended to me by two people I trust implicitly; one of whom is the priest who chrismated me into the Orthodox faith. Everyday Saints, a collection of non-fictional shorts written by Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov), is a stunning treasury of the hidden gems of this faith. Woven through these shorts, which range from excerpts from the ancient Prologue to modern-day vignettes about Archimandrite Tikhon's friends, are many subtle strands: the trials and the sufferings of generations of faithful under the Soviets being a major one; but this is clearly, hopelessly overmatched by the strength and perseverence of the faithful, because of their faith.

The greatest strand among all of these is how the ordinary people (both laymen and monastics) that Archimandrite Tikhon recounts - though they have their flaws, though they are stubborn, sceptical, wayward, vain or selfish at times - still strive to live according to the way of Christ and the example of Christ.

Fr. Tikhon is a master storyteller, and he writes in an elegant and accessible prose. But this book is emphatically not merely Orthodox-flavoured Chicken Soup. So much of this storytelling takes place in the midst of Soviet repression that there isn't really a feel-good aspect to it. At the same time, there is a much deeper and more subtle coherence to the stories, a window that opens through them to certain overarching holy truths, and I would be lying if I said it does not inspire prayer or provoke reflection.

[Nikita Mihaylov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ищите, и обрящете
Лука, 11:9

Книгой заинтересовался в контексте личности автора, ведь за митрополитом Тихоном прочно закрепилась слава т.н. "духовника Путина". Кроме того было интересно, чем вообще занимаются люди церкви. Ну, помимо стирания часов владыки в фотошопе и торговли безакцизными сигаретами.

Рассказы ориентированы на широкий круг читателей и не требуют какого-то церковного бекграунда, разве что пришлось гуглить церковную иерархию, и детали монашеского гардероба. Читается быстро, и все очень хорошо и лаконично разбито по главам. Книга рассказывает истории, которые происходили с друзьями и наставниками Георгия после того, как он пришёл к вере. Жанр варьируется от триллера до комедии, душеспасительных выводов в самый раз, не в последнюю очередь - красивые фотографии обителей.

Основной сюжетный приём - молитва одного из священников приводит в дело механизм божественного вмешательства. Нужные люди встречаются по пути, неожиданно возникают союзники и спасают героев из беды, отыскаиваются безвозвратно утраченные ценности. Духовные иерархи уровнем повыше обладают неким прогностическим навыком. И если уж начистоту, верится в это все с трудом.

Но читать все равно интересно, как Архимандрит Алипий отбивал Печерскую лавру от атак советской власти, да и всякие анекдоты из жизни послушников. Книга будто приоткрывает щелочку в этот странный духовный мир Русской церкви.

Много нового вынес для себя.

[Michael Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very rare treat.

It's contemporary, yet goes back in time, again and again, to give us context and insights into Russian monastic life during the Soviet era to the present day. I found this fascinating and enriching. I learned a lot.

Archimandrite Tikhon Shevkunov gives us a feast of true stories and anecdotes that take us into the fabric of his life over many decades as a Russian monk. He introduces us to the many, many remarkable people and events that framed his journey.

What's most remarkable is the authentic, vulnerable humanity of everyone in his stories. Just like the Saints from Scripture, such as King David and the Apostle Peter, their juxtaposed flaws and nobility are not hidden, and this gives all of us, who are also flawed, hope. We see God glorified and ever present in their affairs and needs through the synchronicity of unfolding events.

Finally, I'm drawn to these contemporary, living examples of faith. It makes me yearn to lay aside all worldly cares and to seek God with renewed effort and hope. We must not let our sins, failures, and iniquities dissuade us from staying tenaciously on the journey to reunion and communion with Christ. They do not disqualify us. Our failures should instill in us the right kind of holy fear and sorrow that motivates us forward (2 Cor 7:10). May God have mercy on me, a sinner, and upon us all.

[Невен Паштар · Rating 5 out of 5]

Јако топла и искрена књига!

[Роман Селіверстов · Rating 5 out of 5]

Один подвижник как-то сказал, что всякий православный христианин может поведать свое Евангелие, свою Радостную Весть о встрече с Богом. Конечно, никто не сравнивает такие свидетельства с книгами апостолов, своими глазами видевших Сына Божия, жившего на земле. И всё же мы, хоть и немощные, грешные, но Его ученики, и нет на свете ничего более прекрасного, чем созерцание поразительных действий Промысла Спасителя о нашем мире.

До прочтения этой удивительной самобытной книги монашеская жизнь была для мнея за семью печатями. Нет, я конечно иногда представлял как многочасовые молитвы, так и бытовые "грешки" людей, посвятивших себя служению Богу. Книга переполнена описанием событий (все-таки при моих сомнениях я больше склонен верить им, чем нет), которые трудно классифицировать по системе "чудо или совпадение". Одно я понял - монахи такие же люди, которые могут накостылять от всей души хулигану или отдать последние сапоги приставшему к ним цыгану...

Я назвал эту последнюю главу «Несвятые святые». Хотя мои друзья — обычные люди. Таких много в нашей Церкви. Конечно, они весьма далеки от канонизации. Об этом нет даже и речи. Но вот в конце Божественной литургии, когда великое Таинство уже свершилось и Святые Дары стоят в алтаре на престоле, священник возглашает: «Святая святым!»
Это означает, что Телом и Кровью Христовыми будут сейчас причащаться святые люди. Кто они?
Это те, кто находится сейчас в храме, священники и миряне, с верой пришедшие сюда и ждущие причащения. Потому что они — верные и стремящиеся к Богу христиане. Оказывается, несмотря на все свои немощи и грехи, люди, составляющие земную Церковь, для Бога — святые.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a best-seller in Russia under a name that translates as "Unsaintly Saints" It is a series of vignettes about Russian Orthodox monks and ecclesiastics just at the time when the old Soviet Union was cracking up and the new Russia was beginning to emerge. It's very readable, and taken together these little cameos about these characters give a vivid picture of the persistence and revival of the millennium-old faith tradition of Russia.The books is embellished with many photographs of the characters. The greater ease with which graphics can be incorporated into books these days (as opposed to being relegated to a couple of inserts in the book) is a blessing.

I had tended to think that the Russians were a lot like we Americans are. Superficially, perhaps, but in many ways they are really different. One can say, vive la différence! because the focus on the eternal, on kindness and humility, shown in this book, is quite touching, even as it contrasts with the boorishness, bureaucratic ineptitude, and penchant for alcohol that seem to abound in the world outside the monastic one, according to this account.

I might add, you don't have to be Orthodox, or even religious, to like this book. This book peels back the curtain into a different world from ours. It's just as much worth looking at as the worlds of hobbits, orcs, or international spies.

An unlikely, but fascinating page-turner.

[Richard Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Met. Tikhon has crafted a unique poignancy at the intersection of humor and edification. From arcane spiritual struggles and Christian revelation amid the suffering and persecution of Soviet Russia, to one-page anecdotes and eminently relatable life lessons, "Everyday Saints" is a work of enriching entertainment. Few books can claim to rest comfortably in both categories, especially among the relatively sparse bookshelves of English-language Orthodox works, but this is undoubtedly one of them. Those outside the Faith can enjoy this book for its sheer entertainment value and the earnest window it offers into Orthodox spirituality and Russian asceticism. Meanwhile, those Orthodox Christian readers can appreciate it as a reminder that the miracles, the demons and the inexplicable and unpredictable manifestations of our Lord in the daily lives of His believers are not merely limited to ancient hagiographies. Rather, they are present in every inconceivably tiny movement and action that lead us ultimately down the path He has ordained for us, if only we do so little as to say "Thy will be done" at each uncertain step.