Vol. 58, No. 4 (345) July–August, 2022

Elder Isaac II of Optina

This issue of The Orthodox Word features the first part of the Life of New Hieromartyr Isaac (Bobrakov), the last superior of Russia’s famed Optina Monastery before its closure by the Bolsheviks. While there is a scarcity of detailed information on Archimandrite Isaac’s life, the author—renowned scholar and Church writer Victor Afanasiev—portrays St. Isaac’s life against the turbulent background of the early revolutionary years of Russian history. In this portrayal one can clearly see his steadfastness in the faith and true qualities of leadership under the worst of circumstances.

Also in this issue is the continuation of the Explanation of the General Epistle of the Holy Apostle James by St. Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain.