This Holy Man: Impressions of Metropolitan Anthony

by Gillian Crow

Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh (+2003) was one of the most respected churchmen, spiritual writers, and broad-casters on the world stage, inside and outside of the Orthodox Christian communion. His books, School of Prayer, Living Prayer, and God and Man have become classics. However, besides his public persona as a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain, who was Metropolitan Anthony as preacher and pastor? How did his experience as physician, monk, parish priest, spiritual father, and bishop effect his writings? How did his life story mold his perspective? In this comprehensive examination of Metropolitan Anthony's life and work, Gillian Crow presents a compelling portrait of a complex human being: a charismatic, warm person aglow with the joy of his faith, and a person who fought hard against the demons of shyness, insecurity, and depression. This sympathetic yet honest portrayal is essential reading for all those touched by Metropolitan Anthony's writing, who wish to discover more about his inner life.

Genres: Christianity

251 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2005

Reviews

[Andrew Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthony Bloom has inspired millions of Christians with his straight-forward but profound books such as "School for Prayer." His life is much more interesting than one might think that a monk-bishop in England might have lived. Bloom grew up in the Russian emigré culture in Parish after the Russian Revolution. The number of vibrant & creative Russian Orthodox thinkers in this groups such as Vladimir Lossky and Sergius Bulgakov & Nicolas Zernov make this culture glitter. Reading about what it meant for a child to grow up in it is a different matter as it shows how physically impoverished this group of stateless people were. Which also shows how much these great thinkers had to overcome. They weren't sitting in well-heated studies as they worked. Bloom was trained as a surgeon in which capacity he served the French army in WWII before being ordained a priest & eventually sent to the Orthodox Church in England where, along with the likes of C.S. Lewis, he was a radio star of Christian witness. We learn here much about Bloom's sanctity. Especially impressive was his way of relating to many people. Having trained in medicine, he could meet atheistic scientists on their own ground. During his visits to Russia, he could even develop cordial relations with KGB members who were, of course, kind of spying on him. Crow doesn't gloss over the flaws in Blooms character but gives them serious attention. His warm personality could turn off without warning. It seems that depression had a lot to do with it, that & burnout. (He spent copious hours every day on counsel with people.) When he burned out, he didn't know how to do it in socially graceful ways. He was an open thinker who, untypically for Orthodox clergy, actually favored the ordination of women. Anyone who has benefited from Bloom's writings (or should if you haven't already) will benefit from this book. It is good to learn from the deep encounter with God that such a man lived for just over ninety years.

[w gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consecrated to God, yet with human foibles. People loved his talks and counsels. But he was very dissatisfied with himself. This not a "Saint" story in which his fallen humanity is covered up; but it does fully narrate his gifts and accomplishments.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed by this biography. It is NOT a hagiography, and that’s the whole point of the book I believe. To show that saints are not super heroes, but loved sinners, sinners who know they are loved by their Creator and Lord, and who try to help others recognize the same truth for themselves. This entails lots of try and error.

I hope the notes I took from this book will help you on your own journey. I highly recommend you read the whole book.
My notes are here:
https://myrtleskete.com/tag/father-an...

[Stephan Bakker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The man who gave me my name, trained me and ordained me, proved to be in more ways than I ever imagined my mentor and guide.

[Anam Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of the life of an amazing man. I wish I had had the opportunity to meet him.