Father Arseny

[CopticGirl]

Hey all,

Has anyone one read this book, Father Arseny? I'm about halfway through it now,and it is fantastic!!!

God Bless,
Elizabeth

 

[Khaleas]

Of all Orthodox books I've read, it's my absolute favorite. It makes me cry, laugh and everything in between.

If I got to decide he should be a Saint... but who am I to say.

 

[CopticGirl]

The book is so easy to read and as you said the stories make me smile or bring tears to my eyes. The strength that some have just amazes me. And not only everyday strength, but strength under such extreme circumstances.

Another thing about the book is the depiction of the power of prayer. Father Arseny had nothing else to rely on when in camp but prayer!

God Bless,
Elizabeth

 

[KATHXOYMENOC]

I recently finished it and loved it. In fact, I intend to send it to a Protestant friend who has been a missionary in Russia for 13 years but does not know much about Orthodoxy.

However ... in talking with some people about it at church, they said that their preference is somewhat for the Optina Elders series:

http://www.sainthermanpress.com/catalog/chapter_six/index.htm

because there is more validation for the material in those books. They said that there is unfortunately very little proof of the actual existence of Father Arseny.

I tried to find stuff about him on the Internet, but only came up with reviews of the book.

I would like to think that it's factual, because I very much enjoyed it.

If anyone here can offer proof of Father Arseny, I would love to read it.

 

[xenia]

Last week I went out to have lunch with a young woman who is interested in Orthodoxy, and I looked at all my books to decide which one to give her and that's the one I chose. What a wonderful book and what a wonderful example he is for us.

 

[Nickolai]

I believe he existed.

 

[KATHXOYMENOC]

I believe he existed.

I hope that's true. I can't read the tombstone (I can't read Russian), but the birth year is 1894, and the book says 1893.

Where did you get this, and ... can you translate it? Thanks!

 

[Nickolai]

I hope that's true. I can't read the tombstone (I can't read Russian), but the birth year is 1894, and the book says 1893.

Where did you get this, and ... can you translate it? Thanks!

I had seen the pic before, and just googled it and posted the first link I saw to it. I know it's the same pic I've seen before though.

I'll work on a translation, My Russian/Slavonic is not to great so if someone with more knowledge wants to do it, I would be very happy.

Reader Nikolai

 

[Khaleas]

If I remember correctly there is a picture of this tombstone in the second book (second book is good, but not as good as the first).

A year here and there isn't exactly uncommon in recording births, especially if the records have been moved, copied or partially destroyed... My mom was born in '49 but they still spelled her middle name wrong, and according to Kevin's Catholic baptism certificate he was baptized before he was born . I mean I knew the RC were good but I didn't think they would baptize before you were thought of LOL.

 

[Khaleas]

I found the book (one of the last few things in my apartment still) and that book says he was born in 1894. And it is the book that has the picture of the stone. It's located in Rostov.
It also says like this:
The introduction to that latest edition mentioned that Father Arseny had been buried in Rostov, that there was a granite stone with his name, 'Father Arseny', and his dates on it. Later it was mentioned that this stone had been stolen and that the exact place where he reposes is unknown, because his spiritual children are dead...

The new monument was erected by the translator of the book.

 

[rusmeister]

The main reason I believe is that for many former GULAG prisoners, factual reporting was absolutely sacred. It was so awful, it was not a thing to come home and BS about (for the survivors). Much like Dachau and Auschwitz. I believe he existed and that certainly most of the stories are true (I know you can't prove the miracles, but they seem to be among the most believable simply for the fact that they were reported out of the GULAG).

Here is the link to the story of the miracle that awed me the most.
http://www.wie.org/j22/arseny.asp?page=2

 

[Khaleas]

The main reason I believe is that for many former GULAG prisoners, factual reporting was absolutely sacred. It was so awful, it was not a thing to come home and BS about (for the survivors). Much like Dachau and Auschwitz. I believe he existed and that certainly most of the stories are true (I know you can't prove the miracles, but they seem to be among the most believable simply for the fact that they were reported out of the GULAG).

Here is the link to the story of the miracle that awed me the most.
http://www.wie.org/j22/arseny.asp?page=2

That's my favorite part of the book too, and just about everyone elses that I"ve talked to as well. That temp is enough to make your eyeballs freeze into their sockets (that's how cold it was last winter when I visited the monastery in Finland, and even colder in some areas of Russia)... and that's with a royal layer of clothing too...

 

[Greg the byzantine]

The main reason I believe is that for many former GULAG prisoners, factual reporting was absolutely sacred. It was so awful, it was not a thing to come home and BS about (for the survivors). Much like Dachau and Auschwitz. I believe he existed and that certainly most of the stories are true (I know you can't prove the miracles, but they seem to be among the most believable simply for the fact that they were reported out of the GULAG).

Here is the link to the story of the miracle that awed me the most.
http://www.wie.org/j22/arseny.asp?page=2

WOW! I have never read anything about Father Arseny before, but I had goosebumps non-stop while reading that story.

 

[Khaleas]

WOW! I have never read anything about Father Arseny before, but I had goosebumps non-stop while reading that story.

Dude, you're so totally missing out! But honestly, it's probably one of my favorite books of all time, orthodox or not.

 

[vanshan]

Here is a site where a couple books about Fr. Arseny can be purchased: http://www.tcgalaska.com/holycrosshermitage/HTML/books_saints.asp

It's listed a little down from the top in the right column.

Basil

 

[Greg the byzantine]

The disadvantages of not having a credit card can't order anything online.

I always look in the bookstores when I go to see if there is anything Orthodox, but whenver I go to the religious section all they have is the occult, a few books on angels, lots of protestant self-improvement books, and if I'm lucky a catholic book on saints.

 

[Matrona]

The disadvantages of not having a credit card can't order anything online.

Could you get a checking account? Nowadays they offer those debit cards that you can use like a credit card, and you don't have to worry about interest rates or payment rubbish, because debit cards only spend the money in your actual checking account.

 

[Greg the byzantine]

Could you get a checking account? Nowadays they offer those debit cards that you can use like a credit card, and you don't have to worry about interest rates or payment rubbish, because debit cards only spend the money in your actual checking account.

I really have to look into that, b/c it's so hard to find things in stores when you are looking for them (and of course once you get them or you no longer need them you can find them all over the place)


I have actualy been pretty lucky with some sites because I have just been able to go to the mall and buy a simon gift card (it's basically just a visa gift card) and use that. The plus side to the gift cards is you can put as little or as much (up to 500 dollars) as you want so that just in case something goes wrong you haven't lost all your money (they are also guaranteed as long as you keep your receipt). Only problem is that not all sites accpet them.

 

[Nickolai]

Most sites accept money orders. You have to mail it in, But that's what I always did before I got a credit card and Paypal.

 

[ByzantineDixie]

I just finished the book a few weeks ago. This is what I wrote about it:
_________

...You see, the old adage, a picture is worth a thousand words, is true.

I just finished reading Father Arseny, 1893 – 1973, Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father. The story of Father Arseny painted that kind of a picture for me. I have studied Orthodox theology. I have read books upon books. I have attended catechumen classes. But Orthodoxy is not something that can be merely studied. Orthodox Christianity is a way of life, a way of “be-ing”. Father Arseny has helped show me that way. He showed me what being united in Christ looks like.

And the beauty of Orthodoxy continues to push beyond the boundaries of my impoverished imagination.
___________