Vol. 58, No. 6 (346) September–October, 2022

Hidden Sanctity: Elder Sofrony of Rila

This issue of The Orthodox Word features the life of a recent Bulgarian elder, Monk Sofrony (Chelenkov), who lived his monastic life first in the renowned Rila Monastery, and then in a small skete nearby. Living during the Communist era in Bulgaria, he remained immersed in Christ's world and unattached to the fallen world around him, yet cared greatly for his neighbor. He was one of a multitude of such ascetics who lived during the last century mostly unknown to the world.

The second article in this issue is the conclusion of the Life of New Hieromartyr Isaac (Bobrakov), the last superior of Russia’s famed Optina Monastery.

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.