“Due to the destruction of Optina Monastery by the bolsheviks, the disciples of the last great Optina Elder, Nektary, were not able to remain attached to that monastic enclosure; they were dispersed across Russia and throughout the world. These humble souls, having been touched by the endearing, Christ-like meekness of Elder Nektary, were nourished for decades on the spiritual food they received through their contact with the Elder. They shared, in their own simple way, the life-emitting awareness of holiness, and made it possible for others to catch that living spark, which has resulted in this book.” —“Introduction: Spiritual Continuity”
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY PART I: THE PRIMA VITA OF ELDER NEKTARY 1. The Definition of Eldership 2. Youth 3. Eldership 4. The End of Optina 5. Teachings 6. Clairvoyance and Miraculous Help PART II: THE LETTERS OF ELDER NEKTARY PART III: A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF ELDER NEKTARY Foreword 1. The Young Monk 2. Eldership (1991-1923) 3. The Sayings of Elder Nektary 4. Exile (1923-1927) 5. Last Days and Righteous Repose 6. The Uncovering of His Holy Relics PART IV: A GATHERING OF WITNESSES 1. Glimpses into the Unseen World 2. The Wisdom of Foolishness For Christ’s Sake 3. The Sermon 4. Conversion of a Spiritist 5. Preserving a Boy for Optina Transmission 6. Belev Convent 7. The Heavenly Chancery 8. Shamordino Convent 9. You Shall Have Many Children 10. An Evening Party 11. The Jesus Prayer 12. “Step by Step” 13. How to Retain a Confessive Life 14. The Mystery of Spiritual Searching 15. A Trip to Kholmishche 16. Movie Actor 17. The Power of Love 18. The Virtue of Patience 19. Parting With the Elder 20. In the Light of the Elder’s Sunset 21. At the Grave GLOSSARY SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX
Item Number: BKP527 Publication data: Platina, CA: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1998 Format: softcover Number of pages: 515 Dimensions (l × w × h): 21.0 cm × 13.5 cm × 2.7 cm Additional information: black-and-white illustrations ISBN: 0‒938635‒59‒X
