Father Arseny

Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father

By: Fr Arseny

Narrated by: Peter Bouteneff, Vera Bouteneff

Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Enjoy this new edition of the classic story of Father Arseny, with freshly edited text, a new cover, and a new foreword by Peter Bouteneff.

It is one of the great mysteries of life that in atmospheres of the harshest cruelty, a certain few not only survive, but emerge as beacons of light and life. Father Arseny, former scholar of church art, became Prisoner No. 18736 in the brutal "special sector" of the Soviet prison camp system. In the darkness of systematic degradation of body and soul, he shone with the light of Christ's peace and compassion. His sights set on God and his life grounded in the church, Father Arseny lived by injunction to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).

This narrative, compiled from accounts of Father Arseny's spiritual children and others whom he brought to God, gives stirring glimpses of his life in prison camp and after his release. It also tells the stories of people whose lives, often during times of almost unimaginable crisis, were touched and transfigured through their connection with Father Arseny.

Emerging from the context of the particular tragedies of Soviet Russia, this audiobook carries a universal impact certain to be felt by listeners in the West today.

The SVS Press audiobook program is sponsored by The Orthodox Vision Foundation.

©1998 St Vladimir's Seminary Press (P)2022 St Vladimir's Seminary Press

Unbelievable

This book is priceless, it has changed my life. I am currently in a certificate course in prison ministry as well as being a retired Corrections Officer. This is one of the books in the course. Faith, devotion, self introspection... I don't want to get into detail but it's a must-read.

A must read

“Father Arseny” is a beautiful compilation of stories about various orthodox priests and religious leaders in the Soviet gulag system. It’s like a beautifully woven tapestry. There is no way to know how many passed through the gulags and died or survived. They are nameless faces to readers now. But God knows. The kindness and tenderness even in the gulags, where the worst of humankind’s murderous sin is laid bare, light shines forth. That light is Jesus Christ. One never tires of these stories.

Lovely book, beautifully read

This morning, Clean Monday, I continued the Audible from where I’d left off last night, and the story I read turned out to contain surprisingly important spiritual counsel for me. Something I just hadn’t thought of that will make a significant difference in a project I’m working on. It felt as if Fr. Arseny himself might have reached out to me over all the time and space between us. I will take it to my next confession and Lent will go better. Thank you!

Father Arseny, a WW2 survivor

Was tortured, yet faithfully true to His Lord. He becomes a Russian free man and a Priest to many. These stories collected and preserved here tell the Story of a modern day Saint. These are stories of struggles faced in today’s world!

And you, as I did, might just find a bit of this story matching a bit of yours. A TRUELY inspirational and applicable story of love that heals And the beauty of this story will stay with you for a long time.

The reader is easy to listen to. The translation from the Russian language well done.

Joyblakers

Life-changing Book

"Remarkable" doesn't begin to touch the soul of this book. The rich, vibrant English edition is lovingly read by the translator and her son. Absolutely life-changing!

Beautiful, Edifying Story, and Superb Narration

Such an amazing, inspirational story and recount of the life of Russian Priest Father Arseny. I struggle to focus on stories or biographies, but this gripped me through the entire book. It was surprising, warm, heartfelt, sad, sobering, edifying and inspiring. It was the spiritual nourishment I needed at this time in my life and spiritual journey through the Church and Body of Christ. Absolutely lovely narration by two narrators that keeps the text interesting and feeling real, as if they had witnessed these accounts themselves. Just beautiful.

Powerful

Powerful and very spiritually edifying, great audiobook version. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is orthodox or at least the first part to anyone who is in inquire or interested in 20th century Russian history.

A life-changing book

This was at least my third or fourth time through, either reading or listening to this book. I think I will always come back to it, when I need a spiritual lift, or comfort, or a reminder of what it truly means to be a Christian. I loved that the translator and her son took turns “performing” the narrative, though I think it’s a bit harder to keep track of the many Russian names in the audio book. I cannot really explain what makes this book so exceptional. Read or listen and you will understand.