{"product_id":"elder-barsanuphius-of-optina-afanasiev-2023","title":"Elder Barsanuphius of Optina (Afanasiev 2023)","description":"\u003cp\u003eOptina Elder Series: Volume VII, 2nd edition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElder Barsanuphius (1845–1913), a disciple of Elder Anatole (Zertsalov) and Elder Nektary, was a highly cultured man and a successful colonel before entering the monastic life at a relatively late age. Due to his purity of heart and spiritual sobriety, he was transformed by God into a grace-filled Elder virtually overnight. The period before the first World War and the Russian Revolution was a complex one. The world was seething in unprecedented passions, and one could clearly sense the approach of darkness. With a sympathetic soul Elder Barsanuphius attended to the world, and the Lord parted a curtain before him, showing him the horrors of the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e   “We live in a difficult time; we are weak and infirm but we have to encourage others. And here I am in the same condition, weak and infirm. I myself need help and consolation, but according to the obligation of my rank I have to comfort those who turn to me. They come to Optina from a world that no longer moans, as before, but howls; they come seeking consolation and soothing…. According to their faith they receive what they are seeking and leave in a state of peace.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e—Elder Barsanuphius\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e840 pages; 9.25 x 5.25 x 1.75 inches\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Saint Herman's Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46753270464709,"sku":"bars","price":23.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/6975\/1749\/files\/bars-2T.jpg?v=1787062467","url":"https:\/\/virginiamonks.org\/products\/elder-barsanuphius-of-optina-afanasiev-2023","provider":"St. Demetrios Monastery Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}