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The Archbishop
A Christian Orthodox ClassicIf God exists, then why does He allow such endlessly mundane earthly suffering?Imperial Russia, 1900: Resigned, hopeless, and fighting a Church he no longer believes in, Father Paul’s crisis of faith and despair in the seeming futility of his chosen vocation opens up the powerful and emotionally engaging story of The Archbishop.Rather than abandoning his parish in search of the truth, Father Paul’s quest is a simple to find the true essence of Christianity.A Modern Day Apostle to the DowntroddenSet against the backdrop of a harsh and cold Russian countryside along the River Volga, with its unyielding poverty and hardships, The Archbishop follows Father Paul as he searches to understand God and the parlous state of the world around him.It is not until he meets the eponymous Archbishop that he finds revelations that do more than just answer his soul-searching questions. More than this, he finds a true shepherd determined to spread a more authentic message of Christ to the people who follow him.But even the divine truth that Father Paul finally finds in this dreary, cold hamlet where religion seems to be fading from relevance is not free from earthly machinations. Although he discovers something that will change his life forever, the realities of the world around him remain unyielding and unchanging.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2017
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102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 28, 2019
Given the current world-wide clergy crisis in the Catholic Church, and hearkening back to simpler times and across the world to our brothers-in-Christ, the Orthodox, this book intrigued me. As I read the book’s description, I wondered if it would offer any novel, as in new, approaches to what makes a good shepherd than what we have/do. That, plus, fiction usually offers answers with less preaching.
I was not disappointed. This is no ordinary Archbishop. This is a true Shepherd, a man who leads and encourages his careworn priests; feeds and nurtures the poverty-stricken flock under them, serving one and all.
Have you ever met such an Archbishop or Bishop? I’m sure they are there, but I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing one. I’ve known bishops and archbishops who are wonderful homilists; superb manager-administrators; excellent liturgists; knowledgeable on canon law and church tradition; even fine leaders who are ‘good with people’; very devout and conscientious, dedicated, etc. But even all these things together do not make a shepherd. The most perfect man at the top does not instill or engender the love of his flock. People don’t love qualities in others, even perfection. They might admire them, but they don’t inspire love. We love someone who loves us, a person who genuinely knows us, cares about who we are and what we most desperately need.
That is who this Vladika is and what he does right from the start. His actions and the impact they have on his priests and people are the gist of the story. Inspirational, unforgettable and transformational. Although I do not know any bishops or archbishops like him, I do know priests of this caliber. Does this sort of man never get selected for the greater responsibility of a larger flock in the first place or does promotion change him? Is it too much responsibility for any one man in this modern world? Could it be our areas (dioceses) need to be much much smaller? It is something I ponder.
Some quotes I liked below:
• You must endure the burden by praying harder to God! The prayer strengthens the man and freshens his mind. And a fresh and powerful man will always find a way out no matter the situation.
• Tough times await the faithful sons of the Church, its shepherds and its archbishops. It is not the time now to think about vain glory but the time for archbishops to take off their golden miter – the symbol of the glory of Christ–and instead put on crowns of thorns; for today, the Name of God is more blasphemed than it is worshiped!
• People don’t abandon Christianity because it feels cheap to them, or they’ve found another superior religion to practice. The reason is that they are disappointed by its truthfulness. (This reminded me of a similar quote by G.K. Chesterton!) Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.
• Priests? Oh, how little I fancy all these fair and clean little priests, with their carefully-ironed skufias², with all their crosses and long service decorations, who strictly obey all regulations and prescriptions! They are the most dangerous enemies of Christianity. Priesthood is an art.
• Man values only what he makes with his own hands. What is easily received and with no labor cannot be cherished.
• “Well, faith is when you say let me give you a small icon for the road, and religion, in honor of such thing or in memory of such event, a shrine has been arranged in such place… Just think about it; why were icons representing the same saint hanged in all the train stations and state institutions at some point in time? Find the answer to this question and you’ll discover the difference between religion and faith…”
• “What a pity… they have clothed the living work of Christ, to Satan’s delight, in protocols, documents, and journals. They flooded the Episcopal chanceries with paperwork, distracting bishops from their real mission. Sadly, they succeeded, for bishops no longer have time to work among their flock...
Also I learned that raskol means a schism or a faction. Raskolnikov is the name of the famous character in Dostoyevsky’s novel, Crime and Punishment, and derives from the Russian raskolnic. The raskolnic is a divisive, revolting person. Is this where our word, rascal comes from?
Highly recommended!
¹Diminutive term used in the Russian Church by priests and believers for their archbishops.
²An item of clerical clothing worn by Orthodox Christian monastics (black) or clergy, sometimes specifically awarded as a mark of honor (red or purple). For Russians, it is a soft-sided brimless cap whose top may be pointed.
I was not disappointed. This is no ordinary Archbishop. This is a true Shepherd, a man who leads and encourages his careworn priests; feeds and nurtures the poverty-stricken flock under them, serving one and all.
Have you ever met such an Archbishop or Bishop? I’m sure they are there, but I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing one. I’ve known bishops and archbishops who are wonderful homilists; superb manager-administrators; excellent liturgists; knowledgeable on canon law and church tradition; even fine leaders who are ‘good with people’; very devout and conscientious, dedicated, etc. But even all these things together do not make a shepherd. The most perfect man at the top does not instill or engender the love of his flock. People don’t love qualities in others, even perfection. They might admire them, but they don’t inspire love. We love someone who loves us, a person who genuinely knows us, cares about who we are and what we most desperately need.
That is who this Vladika is and what he does right from the start. His actions and the impact they have on his priests and people are the gist of the story. Inspirational, unforgettable and transformational. Although I do not know any bishops or archbishops like him, I do know priests of this caliber. Does this sort of man never get selected for the greater responsibility of a larger flock in the first place or does promotion change him? Is it too much responsibility for any one man in this modern world? Could it be our areas (dioceses) need to be much much smaller? It is something I ponder.
Some quotes I liked below:
• You must endure the burden by praying harder to God! The prayer strengthens the man and freshens his mind. And a fresh and powerful man will always find a way out no matter the situation.
• Tough times await the faithful sons of the Church, its shepherds and its archbishops. It is not the time now to think about vain glory but the time for archbishops to take off their golden miter – the symbol of the glory of Christ–and instead put on crowns of thorns; for today, the Name of God is more blasphemed than it is worshiped!
• People don’t abandon Christianity because it feels cheap to them, or they’ve found another superior religion to practice. The reason is that they are disappointed by its truthfulness. (This reminded me of a similar quote by G.K. Chesterton!) Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.
• Priests? Oh, how little I fancy all these fair and clean little priests, with their carefully-ironed skufias², with all their crosses and long service decorations, who strictly obey all regulations and prescriptions! They are the most dangerous enemies of Christianity. Priesthood is an art.
• Man values only what he makes with his own hands. What is easily received and with no labor cannot be cherished.
• “Well, faith is when you say let me give you a small icon for the road, and religion, in honor of such thing or in memory of such event, a shrine has been arranged in such place… Just think about it; why were icons representing the same saint hanged in all the train stations and state institutions at some point in time? Find the answer to this question and you’ll discover the difference between religion and faith…”
• “What a pity… they have clothed the living work of Christ, to Satan’s delight, in protocols, documents, and journals. They flooded the Episcopal chanceries with paperwork, distracting bishops from their real mission. Sadly, they succeeded, for bishops no longer have time to work among their flock...
Also I learned that raskol means a schism or a faction. Raskolnikov is the name of the famous character in Dostoyevsky’s novel, Crime and Punishment, and derives from the Russian raskolnic. The raskolnic is a divisive, revolting person. Is this where our word, rascal comes from?
Highly recommended!
¹Diminutive term used in the Russian Church by priests and believers for their archbishops.
²An item of clerical clothing worn by Orthodox Christian monastics (black) or clergy, sometimes specifically awarded as a mark of honor (red or purple). For Russians, it is a soft-sided brimless cap whose top may be pointed.
December 2, 2019
An excellent book.
It is not a typical literary novel. It is a Christian (Orthodox Church) apologetic work presented in the novel form. The novel is full of theological and spiritual reflections. In many places, it reads like a theological treatise treating the themes of Grace, Redemption/Salvation, Sin, Heaven and Hell, Religion vs Reason, Jesus, etc. To me, a Catholic priest, this book seemed a Pastoral Guide in a summerized form.
This book was recommended and gifted by my good friend Cathy. It is a wonderful gift. I will always treasure this one. Thanks.
It is not a typical literary novel. It is a Christian (Orthodox Church) apologetic work presented in the novel form. The novel is full of theological and spiritual reflections. In many places, it reads like a theological treatise treating the themes of Grace, Redemption/Salvation, Sin, Heaven and Hell, Religion vs Reason, Jesus, etc. To me, a Catholic priest, this book seemed a Pastoral Guide in a summerized form.
This book was recommended and gifted by my good friend Cathy. It is a wonderful gift. I will always treasure this one. Thanks.
March 19, 2023
This was disappointing. I'm not sure if the problem is in the translation as other reviewers have mentioned, but I wasn't sure what the author was trying to do here. It started off promising. A new Archbishop is assigned to a town where there is a lot of human suffering and most people, including a parish priest, have given up on the church. The Archbishop seems to really care about his flock and tenderly cares for this one priest who has lost his faith. Then he buys extra land attached to his large residence and opens the doors to vagrants, the sick, and the suffering. He doesn't want to be unapproachable and live in an Ivory Tower but be among all the people. Then it switches gears and it seemed like he was preaching a prosperity gospel. He encourages them to come do as he says and everything will turn out great for you. And of course, things do get better. How I wish real life were like that!
Oh, and let's talk speeches. They're long. Pages and pages of speeches. They seem to wander hither and yon and I couldn't figure some of them out. That was partly because I'd lost the train of thought. Did I mention the speeches are long?
Oh, and let's talk speeches. They're long. Pages and pages of speeches. They seem to wander hither and yon and I couldn't figure some of them out. That was partly because I'd lost the train of thought. Did I mention the speeches are long?
February 19, 2018
This novel is set in Russia in about the year 1900 when, as the author of the Foreward tells us, church attendance and trust in the clergy was in decline. The same writer indicates that the Russian Orthodox clerics had fallen into a stupor, an "ecclesiastical conformity" which moved against the true mission of the Church. The novel was written to send a message to enliven the clergy into a healthy pastoral zeal that concerns itself with the whole human - body, mind, and soul. Hieromonk Tihon (I suspect a pseudonym), as the author, creates a kind of archetypal Archbishop who is close to his priests and tells them how to truly shepherd. Pay less attention to abstractions and rules, the novel argues, and be attentive to the human being in front of you. In other words, learn how to truly love, and let doctrine be as it is. The Archbishop appears to possess special persuasive power and the perception of the Church's mission slowly alters in his direction. Naturally, he has opponents who react to his message, threatening him. Using the mask of "Orthodoxy," these people are believers in the "old Orthodox Church." So, the author creates a tension between the two perspectives. In my view, Vatican II attempted to accomplish what, in 1900, the Archbishop attempted to do. The same occurred: resistance on the part of the conservatives. The current Pope Francis is much maligned and sometimes cursed for his struggles to return to pastoring and accompaniment, paying less attention to the rules as primary. The novel is as valuable today as it was in its setting. It grapples with highly significant questions and does not avoid attempts to respond to them. I recommend this novel for those who wish to delve into these questions and are interested in the heterogeneous, sometimes contentious, nature of determining the nature of things. I withheld a star because my Kindle version was, in some places, not well translated. But, if you can deal with that, you may want to read this book.
March 23, 2020
Clearly an overrated novel, no story, no clear plots, shallow characters, and some chapters are useless to the progress of events.
It is a novel made to provide Orthodox apologetics in long monologue quotes, and these lengthy monologues are very weak apologetics discourses.
The archbishop tried to resolve the problem of evil, but he clearly failed, and you find the priest always gets amazed by these very weak words; to give you an impression that Archbishop's words are more than great!
There are a couple of good discussions, for instance the view/definition of evil, and the view/definition of hell. But overall, it is not a good novel, very overrated, and very preaching as one-way monologue in its style. Not worth reading.
It is a novel made to provide Orthodox apologetics in long monologue quotes, and these lengthy monologues are very weak apologetics discourses.
The archbishop tried to resolve the problem of evil, but he clearly failed, and you find the priest always gets amazed by these very weak words; to give you an impression that Archbishop's words are more than great!
There are a couple of good discussions, for instance the view/definition of evil, and the view/definition of hell. But overall, it is not a good novel, very overrated, and very preaching as one-way monologue in its style. Not worth reading.
January 14, 2018
Page turner
It is probably unusual to term novel of this type and age a "page Turner," but that is exactly what it was. Though a novel of average length, it seems I finished it too soon after it was started. Surprisingly timely and relevant.
Will be thinking about its proposals long afterward.
It is probably unusual to term novel of this type and age a "page Turner," but that is exactly what it was. Though a novel of average length, it seems I finished it too soon after it was started. Surprisingly timely and relevant.
Will be thinking about its proposals long afterward.
March 30, 2018
This is a novel which means that it is fiction. However, there is so much truth in it that it is hard to not believe that this actually happened somewhere.
The Archbishop is so incredibly wise in his dealings with his flock.
I wanted to highlight some of the passages, but soon realized it would be easier to highlight the passages that did not resonate with me.
The Archbishop is so incredibly wise in his dealings with his flock.
I wanted to highlight some of the passages, but soon realized it would be easier to highlight the passages that did not resonate with me.
October 28, 2019
The heart of the matter
This a portrait of a true shepherd of the flock of God, one who faces the dark realities of existence in this world, and points the Way to the Kingdom, a Way achieved by God's grace. And in this narrative, the poor and despised most readily respond. Though fictitious, the story shows the true path to victory over Death in in process. Inspirational!
This a portrait of a true shepherd of the flock of God, one who faces the dark realities of existence in this world, and points the Way to the Kingdom, a Way achieved by God's grace. And in this narrative, the poor and despised most readily respond. Though fictitious, the story shows the true path to victory over Death in in process. Inspirational!
March 8, 2020
This was an interesting little book on how a holy man can change so many lives by showing others how to live as Christ. The book was written by a Russian monk before the Bolshevik revolution and was censored for some time. I sadly believe that the lukewarmness towards the Lord and His teachings is just as present in the world of today as it was 100 years ago. May a wake up call come to us as it did to those in this book.
October 31, 2017
This translation produced such tortured English that I couldn't take it any longer. I got through Chapter 4, and turned it back in to Kindle Unlimited. At least I didn't pay for it!
I trust that the story, in the original, is profound, and revelatory. At least some others have thought so.
I trust that the story, in the original, is profound, and revelatory. At least some others have thought so.
May 7, 2018
A must must read
Never have I come across a book which is so lucid in its explanation of how the Church can be a great hospice to its people. The responsibility to be the salt of the earth is as much the clergy's to take as the laity. A must read for the Church, for the Church
Never have I come across a book which is so lucid in its explanation of how the Church can be a great hospice to its people. The responsibility to be the salt of the earth is as much the clergy's to take as the laity. A must read for the Church, for the Church
June 4, 2019
Inspiring
This is one of those books that seem dull to start, but makes itself worthwhile ten-fold in a breathtaking and revealing fashion. This is a piece of literature that tackles difficult questions masterfully and leaves the reader with redeeming curiosity.
This is one of those books that seem dull to start, but makes itself worthwhile ten-fold in a breathtaking and revealing fashion. This is a piece of literature that tackles difficult questions masterfully and leaves the reader with redeeming curiosity.
January 6, 2018
Every Orthodox Priest and Bishop should read this book.
When this book was written it was prophetic for what Russia would face. In contemporary America we are facing the same issues. I was lead to the book after reading Icon and Orthodox Afterlife. Of the three this was the most profound. The author answers the question, what is the essence of Christianity? by revealing what it is. After being an Orthodox Priest for 50 years I agree with the Archbishop. This book is on the same level as The Way of the Pilgrim. Using a story it teaches the clergy their task. Few books have caused in me an emotional response. When reading this book I wept, laughed and was angered. The debate about ecumenism going on in the contemporary Orthodox Church is answered in the Archbishops response to the debate between the Orthodox missionary and the Old believer apologist. For this response, the Pharisees begin to gather. The Archbishops message is the message of Christ. " The work of Christ is the redemption and renewal of man. And if you, warrior of the Truth see the people around you are indeed renewing, perfecting, getting healthier in body, soul and spirit, .... know that you are on the side of the Truth."
When this book was written it was prophetic for what Russia would face. In contemporary America we are facing the same issues. I was lead to the book after reading Icon and Orthodox Afterlife. Of the three this was the most profound. The author answers the question, what is the essence of Christianity? by revealing what it is. After being an Orthodox Priest for 50 years I agree with the Archbishop. This book is on the same level as The Way of the Pilgrim. Using a story it teaches the clergy their task. Few books have caused in me an emotional response. When reading this book I wept, laughed and was angered. The debate about ecumenism going on in the contemporary Orthodox Church is answered in the Archbishops response to the debate between the Orthodox missionary and the Old believer apologist. For this response, the Pharisees begin to gather. The Archbishops message is the message of Christ. " The work of Christ is the redemption and renewal of man. And if you, warrior of the Truth see the people around you are indeed renewing, perfecting, getting healthier in body, soul and spirit, .... know that you are on the side of the Truth."
November 4, 2018
The Archbishop is the tale of an Orthodox Archbishop. An excellent tale at that!
From reading the book, one can scarcely discern the era in which the story takes place. One century ago, or four, it is not really clear. This lends the story a timelessness, which is good because the story holds timeless truths. Many of the criticisms put forth by the author are still true of many churches today.
The story is translated from Russian. For the most part, the story is well translated. On occasion the reader will find an oddity in the text, but this is due to the translation. The text flows well and is very readable. In one section there is an extended monologue, too extended for my taste. Otherwise, the author writes some good conversations about authentic Christianity.
Most of the theology presented in the book is not unique to the Orthodox church. Some of it is though. That being the case, I don't agree with all the theological underpinnings of the book. Nonetheless, the call for a return to the Way of Christ, to authenticity, rings true for most churches.
Give The Archbishop a try!
From reading the book, one can scarcely discern the era in which the story takes place. One century ago, or four, it is not really clear. This lends the story a timelessness, which is good because the story holds timeless truths. Many of the criticisms put forth by the author are still true of many churches today.
The story is translated from Russian. For the most part, the story is well translated. On occasion the reader will find an oddity in the text, but this is due to the translation. The text flows well and is very readable. In one section there is an extended monologue, too extended for my taste. Otherwise, the author writes some good conversations about authentic Christianity.
Most of the theology presented in the book is not unique to the Orthodox church. Some of it is though. That being the case, I don't agree with all the theological underpinnings of the book. Nonetheless, the call for a return to the Way of Christ, to authenticity, rings true for most churches.
Give The Archbishop a try!
January 11, 2022
Fine message, but not a novel
I don't necessarily disagree with the message put forth here, but this was not a novel as much as a thinly veiled excuse for the author to put forth a series of essays from the mouth of a (fictional) Archbishop. Fair enough, but it felt like a way to lend his words more credence than they were due on their own. If this were his blog, I would have skipped over it, but I stuck it out for my hope that there was actually going to be a story here. There wasn't.
I don't necessarily disagree with the message put forth here, but this was not a novel as much as a thinly veiled excuse for the author to put forth a series of essays from the mouth of a (fictional) Archbishop. Fair enough, but it felt like a way to lend his words more credence than they were due on their own. If this were his blog, I would have skipped over it, but I stuck it out for my hope that there was actually going to be a story here. There wasn't.
November 4, 2021
A very profound message in the story of the Archbishop that was prevalent in the early 20th century and even more prevalent in today’s day and age. The world needs true shepherds like the archbishop who bring truth and love, the Gospel essentially, to all who come in contact with them. The world needs true examples like him.
September 21, 2018
beautiful book, needs an English speaker as editor
Love this book. So good, so much wisdom, so plainspoken and sweet with holiness. But it desperately needs an editor to run through and correct grammar and syntax errors.
Love this book. So good, so much wisdom, so plainspoken and sweet with holiness. But it desperately needs an editor to run through and correct grammar and syntax errors.
March 13, 2020
This is a sobering tale of a burnt out priest in pre Revolutionary Russia and how a caring, loving Bishop helped him and his flock. The book was found after Communism while the author is lost to history.
May 8, 2020
Excellent!
If you’re contemplating whether or not to read this one, let me save you some time and simply recommend it to you.
It is very much Eastern Orthodox, but there is certainly something in it for everyone.
This is one I’ll likely read again and again.
If you’re contemplating whether or not to read this one, let me save you some time and simply recommend it to you.
It is very much Eastern Orthodox, but there is certainly something in it for everyone.
This is one I’ll likely read again and again.
January 16, 2022
Even as one of my first theological books, this story kept me engaged and provoked thoughtful questions in my mind. Was not easy to skim through tens of pages of sermons from the various Fathers in the book but was worth the read for sure.
April 9, 2018
Great book
I really enjoyed this book. You have to stick with it and firmly commit to reading it without distraction but if you do then you will enjoy it.
I really enjoyed this book. You have to stick with it and firmly commit to reading it without distraction but if you do then you will enjoy it.
March 15, 2020
Its about how exactly the Orthdox we should be. Nessesary to read to wake up a bit.
May 17, 2020
Profound
Russian Orthodox spirituality is always fascinating. This book takes it in another but very we'd direction. All who hold the title of bishop should be required to readthis
Russian Orthodox spirituality is always fascinating. This book takes it in another but very we'd direction. All who hold the title of bishop should be required to readthis
December 12, 2020
I found the ideas of Christian land reform very interesting. Considering what ended up happening in Russia some 12 years later it was interesting to see what people in the church were thinking.
December 5, 2022
moving
Beautifully written work. Brought me much inspiration and hope in the resilience of mankind’s attractions and love towards its creator.
Beautifully written work. Brought me much inspiration and hope in the resilience of mankind’s attractions and love towards its creator.
November 13, 2023
Great message and story. Desperately needs clean-up in the translation department. If you can get through the editing issues, the plot is a win.
July 26, 2017
Captivating
Kept me wanting more. Recommend highly to everyone.
This is a very good book at times you want to stand and cheer
Kept me wanting more. Recommend highly to everyone.
This is a very good book at times you want to stand and cheer
June 7, 2019
Good story overall
I found the story to be interesting. The characters are decently built. It is a quick read. My only complaint is that the author uses the character's for a type of theological narrative more than as humans acting humanly. I think that the author could have woven the narrative into the story through illustration rather than through soliloquy.
I found the story to be interesting. The characters are decently built. It is a quick read. My only complaint is that the author uses the character's for a type of theological narrative more than as humans acting humanly. I think that the author could have woven the narrative into the story through illustration rather than through soliloquy.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews