Elder Zenobius
A Life in Spiritual Continuity with Pre-revolutionary Russia
- Out of print9780884653318120 pages Add to basket
— About the Book —
The life of a twentieth century spiritual elder based on the recollections of many contemporary figures who knew him, including Patriarch Ilia of Georgia and Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk.
He gave his time and love freely to all who came to him without consideration for his own comfort or needs. In return God gave him the rare ability to see into peoples’ hearts and discern their motives, whilst simultaneously making them feel loved and at peace in his presence. His life is a witness to the continuance of God’s Grace in His Church amidst the upheavals and sufferings of the twentieth century.
— Author Biography —
Zinoviy Chesnokov was born in 1988, in Schepetovka,a small city in Western Ukraine. For many years Zinoviy’s father was the cell-attendant of Elder Zenobius, and named his firstborn son in his honor, at his birth three years after the Elder’s repose. Zinoviy graduated in 2010, from the prestigious Moscow Orthodox Theological Seminary, and is currently (2013) pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Fribourg Switzerland. He has a talent for languages, with a knowledge of English, Italian, German, and French, in addition to his native Russian.
— Contents —
Introduction
Part I: The Life of St Zenobius, Metropolitan of Tetritzkaro (in Schema Seraphim)
Childhood and Education
The Glink Hermitage: In Obedience to the Elders
Priesthood and Confession of Faith
In Georgia: From Hermit to Metropolitan
The Last Years of Earthly Life
Part II: St Zenobius: Spiritual Father and Teacher
Eldership and Pastoral Ministry
Simplicity and Humanity
Blessing of the Holy Russian-Iverskaya Women's Monastery
Spiritual Gifts: Miracles and Visions
Pastoral Qualities
Spiritual Counselor
Guidance and Teaching
On Prayer and Church Services
Simplicity and the Impartation of Wisdom
Epilogue
Appendix: Reminscences About Vladyka Zenobius
Notes
Bibliography
Index
— Back Cover —
To each generation God gives examples of authentic Christian life, faith and leadership.
Elder Zenobius is just such an example. His life illustrates how the Orthodox Church in Russia survived its Babylonian captivity of atheist persecutions and repression. A spiritual son of the last elders of the pre-revolutionary Glinsk Hermitage, he suffered in the Soviet camps never knowing if each day given to him by God would be his last. Living as a simple monk, even afterbecoming a metropolitan, he always focused on the inner man, despite the active demands of the episcopate.
He gave his time and love freely to all who came to him without consideration for his own comfort or needs. In return God gave him the rare ability to see into peoples’ hearts and discern their motives, whilst simultaneously making them feel loved and at peace in his presence. His life is a witness to the continuance of God’s Grace in His Church amidst the upheavals and sufferings of the twentieth century.