Father Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father

by Fr Arseny, Peter Bouteneff (Foreword), Vera Bouteneff (Translator)

Enjoy this new edition of the classic story of Father Arseny, with freshly edited text, a new cover, and a new foreword by Peter Bouteneff. 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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Russia, Religion

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2021

Reviews

[Yuri Zbitnoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Orthodox Christians, we're repeatedly exhorted to do three things: pray, read scripture and read the lives of the saints. Especially the lives of contemporary saints. This is the most beautiful portrait of what it means to be a witness to the Orthodox faith I've read to date. Divided into two sections, the first half gives accounts of Father Arseny while imprisoned in Stalin's gulag. The second are various accounts of Father Arseny's spiritual children in the years following his release.

As Americans who grew up in the latter half of the 20th century, we have never experienced anything close to the hardships of Soviet Communism. God can bring about a good from even the most abject suffering and repression. And it is often during these times of travail when the faith is put to its greatest test. If you want insight into what it means to truly live the Orthodox faith, read Father Arseny.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a book that touched me this deeply in a long, long time. It took me quite a while to get through it because the first part when they are in the camp is very heavy and sad (well, a lot of the book is sad). But there is so much joy as well.
I am forever grateful to the priest who suggested I read this book. It has made me want to be better and do more to help those around me and to see people for more than their actions - like Father Arseny did.

[Spyridon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you read books that you have a hard time getting through, sometimes you even give up after a while, sometimes you find a book only partly beautiful or interesting. The book Father Arseny belongs to the category that is fascinating, beautiful and soul-enriching from the first page to the last. In this book you are taken along in a collection of memoirs and notes by and about someone from the academic field that later became a hieromonk (priest monk).
For a considerable part of his life he was imprisoned in one of the many inhumane labor camps during the Soviet-experiment. The book is divided into three parts, each consisting of quite a few chapters. That makes it pleasant to read, because then you think "I can still read another chapter". It also helps that the writing in itself is excellent.
Together with Saint of the Prisons I would say this is a very important book to read, as a monument of the communistic terror. Certainly for Orthodox Christians even a must-read. It's all there: humility, self-sacrifice, love for your enemies, wonders, spiritual food, and a tremendous faith in Christ.

[S Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is on its way to becoming a Christian classic. Truly a revelation! Pulls back the iron curtain on what risks and true courage were required by many ordinary Christians and one extraordinary spiritual father and saint during the darkness of the Soviet era.

[Danielle Hillas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful depiction of the human condition and life with in the Soviet Union for the Orthodox faithful.

[Melina · Rating 5 out of 5]

So amazing! Loved every second of it. So eye-opening and inspiring 🙌🏼

[Courtney Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book