Salt of the Earth: or, A Narrative on the Life of the Elder of Gethsemane Skete, Hieromonk Abba Isidore

Publication Data: Platina, CA: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1999
Format: softcover
Number of Pages: 175
Dimensions (l × w × h): 20.9 cm × 13.3 cm × 1.1 cm
Additional Information: black-and-white illustrations
ISBN: 0‒938635‒72‒7

   
Compiled and arranged by his unworthy spiritual son, Paul Florensky
Translated from the Russian by Richard Betts.
Edited and annotated with poetry versification by the St. Herman Brotherhood.

Volume 2 of The Acquisition of the Holy Spirit in Russia Series

“The only biography of the great Elder of Gethsemane Hermitage, Hieromonk Isidore, is presented here for the first time in English. It was written in 1908 by the Elder’s spiritual son, the philosopher and theologian P. A. Florensky (1882-1937). While Elder Isidore belonged to the thousand year-old tradition of Holy Russia and could be called typical of the monk-saints of his time, Florensky was a very unique phenomenon. The latter was at once a mathematical genius who became famous in the fields of astronomy, physics and electrical engineering; a gifted poet, musician and art historian; a linguist and etymologist who mastered Greek, Latin, most of the modern European languages and those of the Caucacus, Iran and India; as well as an original theological thinker and metaphysician. He was a personality of such rarity that up to today he has not been fully understood.”
—“INTRODUCTION: St. Paul Florensky and Salt of the Earth”

CONTENTS

   INTRODUCTION: St. Paul Florensky and Salt of the Earth
   A Prologue to our brother, the devout reader
CHAPTER 1
   in which the devout reader is informed about Fr. Isidore’s cell
CHAPTER 2
   in which we are told how the Elder would greet the devout reader, if the latter were to visit the Elder—and when it was appropriate to venerate the sacred objects of the Gethsemane Skete
CHAPTER 3
   which contains a description of Fr. Isidore’s refreshments
CHAPTER 4
   which informs the reader of the gifts which Fr. Isidore would offer to each person who would come to visit him
CHAPTER 5
   which explains to the reader how Fr. Isidore related lovingly to all people
CHAPTER 6
   in which the Orthodox reader is told of Fr. Isidore’s God-like kindness towards all of God’s creatures, to lowly beasts, to all things growing on the earth, and to everything which contains the breath of life
CHAPTER 7
   which shows how gentle, forgiving and peaceful Fr. Isidore was, as well as the forgiveness he showed for each offense inflicted on him
CHAPTER 8
   in which the pure-hearted reader will perceive that great humility in the Holy Spirit carries great independence with
CHAPTER 9
   in which the writer attempts to relate Fr. Isidore’s ascetism to the reader
CHAPTER 10
   the purpose of which is to point out Elder Isidore’s abundant spiritual freedom to the reader, and also to tell how the Elder broke a fast
CHAPTER 11
   which informs the reader what occurred during confession with Fr. Isidore
CHAPTER 12
   which contains the “Talk of the Rock,” i.e., the narration of a certain professor’s visit to Fr. Isidore and what came of it
CHAPTER 13
   in which the reader learns what Elder Isidore taught in his talks with others
CHAPTER 14
   the most instructive chapter, since it teaches the reader Fr. Isidore’s grace-giving Prayer to Jesus, which gives not a small amount of spiritual comfort to each person who begins to read it with understanding
CHAPTER 15
   written with the aim of letting the wise and humble reader know of Elder Isidore’s gift of clairvoyance and his performing of miracles
CHAPTER 16
   concerning the cross that Fr. Isidore bore and how little those around him really understood him
CHAPTER 17
   in which some scant information concerning Elder Isidore’s life is brought to mind: his place of birth, the remaining years of his life, and the spiritual influences which the Elder experienced
CHAPTER 18
   which informs us of Abba Isidore’s repose
CHAPTER 20
   which informs the truth-loving reader of the honorable burial of Elder Isidore, what his face looked like after his blissful and tranquil departure from life in this world, as well as a description of his gravesite
CHAPTER 21
   this is the last chapter, and if the reader is in want of time, he may skip it as it doesn’t contain any new information on Elder Isidore
APPENDIX I: Leaflets which Fr. Isidore handed out
APPENDIX II: Recollections of Elder Isidore by Metropolitan Benjamin Fedchenkov