Study of traditional Russian spirituality

The Spirit of Russian Science comprises dozens of short and funny true stories about the relations between people working in science, the ways people of science interacted, and their attitudes towards life. On the one hand, these stories are very Russian. On the other hand, the spirit of science displayed is very international. One cannot help feeling it, and it is something that is very difficult to define. This book shows the way this spirit manifests itself, providing amusing examples.

One of this century's greatest students of Orthodox sanctity, Professor Kontzevitch combined careful, honest scholarship with a first-hand knowledge of saints with whom he had been in contact while in Russia, including the holy Elders of Optina Monastery. His magnum opus, this book is a priceless sourcebook of all that he felt important to say about spiritual prayer, communion with God, asceticism and eldership.