Deacon Andrei Psarev In Focus

At This Time A Year Ago (A Student’s Testimony)

Daily reports on ROCOR Studies offer a clear and accessible way to connect the people, events, and ideas of Russian Church history into one continuous narrative that makes sense of the whole tradition.

To those who may be listening to Protodeacon Andrei, or reading his appeal to sign up for ROCOR Studies, I encourage you to take advantage of the blessing he is offering. It was just a year ago that I apprehensively decided to commit time to learn Russian Church history. My desire at the time was to be able to explain brief stories and moments in history related to key icons that are in the parish to my 3 year old godson who is part Ukrainian & Belarusian and my two goddaughters (ages 3 and 9) who are half Russian.

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Hawaii has a full length stained glass icon of Prince Vladimir, a large icon of St. Andrei Rublev’s the Holy Trinity and an icon of St Nicholas of Japan whom I sat next to for 3 years in my catechetical days. Reading the Substack daily quickreads is a Who’s Who in Russian Church History. Fascinating! Many players! But I needed a broader context. I needed something to help me “connect the dots” to these people and events and knit them altogether. Protodeacon Andrei’s 7 units of ROCOR History was the perfect answer!!

Now I am ready to share small soundbites that get the little one’s attention. However, the effect on me is HUGE as I have asked Protodeacon Andrei for a sequel for more depth and case studies. So, now when I hear discussions about the beginnings of ROCOR and it starts with Tsar Nicholas, I know it’s a truncated view of Russian Church History which distorts the impact that neighboring countries, including Byzantium, had on Russia’s resiliency and richness. My last words of counsel….don’t hesitate, peruse the richness of ROCOR Studies now.

In Christ,
Alexandra B

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