Elder Zenobius

Elder Zenobius

A Life in Spiritual Continuity with Pre-revolutionary Russia

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Format
Paperback, 120 pages
Published
Sep 1, 2013
ISBN
9780884653318
Status
Out of print
Dimensions
9 in x 6 in
Weight
8 grams

— 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.

Elder Zenobius was an example of authentic Christian life, faith and leadership. His life illustrates how the Orthodox Church in Russia survived its Babylonian captivity of atheist persecutions and repression, being supported in this by its sister church in the then Soviet republic of Georgia. The spiritual interplay between Russia and Georgia that took place in this period is one of the many fascinating aspects of this work.
 
 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 after becoming a metropolitan in the Georgian Orthodox Church, 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.

— 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.