Elder Zenobius: A Life in Spiritual Continuity with Pre-revolutionary Russia

Publication Data: Jordanville, NY: Holy Trinity Publications, 2013
Format: softcover
Number of Pages: x + 103
Dimensions (l × w × h): 23.0 cm × 15.3 cm × 0.8 cm
Additional Information: black-and-white and full-color illustrations
ISBN: 978-0-88465-331-8

   
Zenoviy Chesnokov
Translated from the Russian by Sophia Moshura

“It is difficult to assess the importance of Vladyka Zenobius to the Georgian Orthodox Church, for which he served and labored for nearly half a century. This began in 1922, when he moved to the Dranda Assumption Monastery in Abkhazia after the closing of the Glinsk Hermitage. He lived through many of the most important historical events of our Church and State in the twentieth century. During this period the Church survived persecution after the revolution, the thaw following World War II, and the Khrushchev persecutions. With God’s help, Vladyka worthily overcame all of these trials. Vladyka truly had the perfect combination of episcopal ministry and eldership. [...]This book is divided into two parts. The first part relates the life of St Zenobius, while the second describes his many-sided pastoral ministry. The appendix contains reminiscences of church hierarchs, clergy, and his spiritual children.”
—“INTRODUCTION”

CONTENTS

Introduction
Part I: The Life of St Zenobius, Metropolitan of Tetritzkaro (in Schema Seraphim)
1. Childhood and Education
2. The Glinsk Hermitage: In Obedience to the Elders
   Path to the Glinsk Hermitage
   His Spiritual Father: Obedience and Trials
   The Taking of Monastic Vows
   Closure and Devastation of the Glinsk Hermitage
3. Priesthood and Confession of Faith
   Ordination to Priesthood
   Arrest
   Imprisonment and Release
4. In Georgia: From Hermit to Metropolitan
   Hermit of the Caucasus Mountains
   Archimandrite and Rector
   Episcopal Ordination
   Visit to the Restored Glinsk Hermitage
   Burdino
   The “Glinsk Hermitage” in Tbilisi
5. The Last Years of Earthly Life
Part II: St Zenobius: Spiritual Father and Teacher
6. Eldership and Pastoral Ministry
7. Simplicity and Humanity
8. Blessing of the Holy Russian-Iverskaya Women’s Monastery
9. Spiritual Gifts: Miracles and Visions
10. Pastoral Qualities
11. Spiritual Counselor
12. Guidance and Teaching
   The Jesus Prayer
   On Non-Acquisitiveness: Helping Those in Need
   On Obedience
   On Spiritual Reading
   On Prayer
   On Monasticism
   The Importance of Taking a Blessing
   On Podvigs
   On Food and Fasting
13. On Prayer and Church Services
14. Simplicity and the Impartation of Wisdom
   The Metropolitan’s Chambers
   Spiritual Children
Epilogue
Appendix: Reminiscences About Vladyka Zenobius
Notes
Bibliography
Index