Stories from the GerontikonIn the wilderness of the desert, far away from the comforts of modern life, positions of importance, and the praise of men, there lived a unique community of ascetics who experienced wondrous and indescribable things! They struggled to master their human nature, as if to say: Behold, Lord, I warred even with my own nature to show you how much I yearn for and love you! Their stories were recorded in handwritten manuscripts, copied by duty bound hands

binding is stitched so as to lay flat

Open this book and you will discover a wondrous

a dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit

Nikolai Gogol was one of the most prominent Russian writers of the 19th century

skillfully united strong musicianship with superb diction to create the heavenly sound that epitomizes the very best cultural singing of the Russian Orthodox Church

praying before it in his monastic cell

—His Holiness Ilia II

or read about his life

' These books are written by Mother Melania

A collection of fragrances dedicated to the places sanctified by the Lord's earthly life

and expression of deepest longing for all-sweetest Jesus

A remarkable rose fragrance with a subtle fruity and dewy petal character