Harbor for Our Hope: On Acquiring Peace Amidst Suffering

by Ignatius Brianchaninov, Elena Borowski (Translation)

St Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807-1867) is renowned as a writer on the spiritual life in general. What is less well known is that throughout most of his adult life, he struggled with chronic illness and disability. Thus his own life experience disposed him to reflect on the meaning of suffering for human existence and how through it we might find “a harbor for our hope.” The saint frequently returns to these themes in many of his letters, newly translated into English and excerpted, adapted, and presented here in thematic subject groups. These writings provided a source of consolation and encouragement for the translator during her husband’s lengthy illness and eventual death. They will equally benefit all who suffer physical or spiritual pain, however great or small, and reveal how the love of God may be experienced in its midst.

192 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2020

About the author

Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807–1867) is a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church. He was born Demetrius Alexandrovich Brianchaninov, to a wealthy landowning family. He was educated at Pioneer Military School in St. Petersburg. Although successful in his studies he was deeply dissatisfied with the lay life and turned to a life of prayer.
In 1827 he fell seriously ill and left the army on this ground. He began pursuing a monastic vocation and in 1831 took monastic vows and received the monastic name of Ignatius. Soon after he was ordained a priest. He rose rapidly to the rank of archimandrite and at the age of 26 was appointed superior of the Maritime Monastery of St. Sergius in St. Petersburg.
In 1857, he was consecrated Bishop of the Caucasus and the Black Sea, but he retired only four years later to devote himself to spiritual writing.
He wrote a large amount of material, mostly about the spiritual life and prayer. Only a small portion of his writing has been translated into English. Although his writing was intended primarily for monks, his works are highly recommended for lay Christians by leading Orthodox figures such as Father Thomas Hopko.
He was glorified (canonized) as a saint by the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church of 1988. His relics are preserved at the Tolga Monastery, near Yaroslavl.

Reviews

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I don't understand everything St. Ignatius is speaking about in the counsels he gives in this book. He writes to monastics, primarily- However, he exudes a stillness and warmth in his counsels that are worth chewing on for every and any Christian. Especially in moments when prayer, suffering, and spiritual growth feel too hard, and we're overwhelmed by our weakness.