Overview and Impressions of Sergei Bolshakov's "Russian Mystics" - History of the Great Russian Monks
Today we present Sergey Bolshakov's "Russian Mystics," translated by Isao Furuya, published by Akashi Shobo.
The author, Sergey Bolshakov, was born in St. Petersburg in 1901, became a doctor of philosophy at Oxford University in 1943, and later lived at the Oustrive Monastery in Switzerland.
The book is unique in that it carefully introduces the life and thought of each of the great Russian monks.
The author goes back to the end of the 15th century and explains in this book how the idea was passed down from there to the 20th century.
Of particular importance is the chapter written about St. Tikhon, who was renowned in the 18th century. St. Tikhon's ideas greatly influenced later monks and elders, and Dostoevsky was also impressed by his ideas and life, an impression reflected in his writing of "The Brothers Karamazov" and "Evil Spirits.
Quote from the text.
St. Tikhon's personality was greatly admired in Russia, not only by the masses and monks, but also by several eminent Russians. It especially impressed the great Russian genius Fyodor Dostoevsky, who modeled the statue of Elder Zosima on him in his greatest novel, The Brothers Karamazov.
In the Zosima, Dostoevsky tried to express Tikhonian spirituality, but was only partially successful. The Zosima also contains some characteristics of the great Opotina elder Father Amvrosii, and Dostoevskyi visited him personally.
In the union of these two highly symmetrical individuals, Dostoevsky infused several elements of his own personality. Nevertheless, as Dostoevsky himself admits, Elder Zosima was undoubtedly inspired by St. Tikhon.
All of Dostoevsky's novels are now being reprinted in the Soviet Union and are extremely widely read. At a time when religious and theological books were not allowed to be published or sold in bookstores at all, Dostoevsky's great novels continue to hold up the image of Christ and Russian elders before the Russian public and especially the youth.
Akashishobo Publishing Corporation, translation by Isao Furuya, Sergei Bolshakov, Russian Mystics, p. 168-169.
Previous.Article on "The OpChinese MonasteryBut as I mentioned, Dostoevsky was greatly inspired by his visit here.
St. Tikhon has had a great influence on the monks of its Opechina monastery. This book is a great way to learn about the teachings of this monastery.
The content is quite specialized and may be tough for the beginning student. If you have read the introductory book on Russian Orthodoxy and are interested in learning more, this is a very worthwhile work.
The above is "Sergey Bolshakov, "Russian Mystics" - A History of Great Russian Monks.
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