29 Comments

This will definitely go on my list. I'm curious whether he says anything more than can be found in Unfading Light about his mystical experiences or his time in the Caucasus. The latter was probably what first drew Florensky and Bulgakov to my attention--I lived in Georgia (Rep. of) for a few years, and I found that both of them wrote glowingly of the mountains and the shape they gave to their spiritual longing.

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He has a good deal more to say. You'll be pleased, I think.

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I just ordered this. I am really happy about the renewed attention being paid to Bulgakov and Origen, both saintly figures who have one really wonderful thing going for them that many other theologians don't, namely that they are hated and reviled by much of mainstream Orthodoxy, particularly the American converts from Protestantism who have converted in form only, but not in substance. I do wish more attention was being paid to another perennial favorite of mine, namely Vasily Rozanov.

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Oh, good for you. Rozanov is wonderful.

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I read some good things about Rozanov years ago, in some text by Boris de Schloezer, I think, who was an admirer. But what are to make of his anti-semitism?

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That it was contemptible and evil, naturally. I wish people weren’t such contradictory things, but there you have it.

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Have you read Boris Jakim's translation of Rozanov's Fallen Leaves? I have only read the Koteliansky translation. Jakim's translation seems hard to find, but if you endorse his version, I will try to track it down.

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I read it when it came out. I recall enjoying it.

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Thank you. Much obliged.

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Jun 16, 2022
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Wow, you are right. I managed to get copies of both of Koteliansky's translations, namely of Fallen Leaves and Solitaria a few years ago, but even Worldcat can't seem to find the Jakim translation. I wonder if this is one of the texts Angelico would be interested in bringing back into print if anyone anywhere could find a copy.

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I am wrapping up The Sophiology of Death, foreward by Mr. Hart, and it's compelling. Now more Fr. Bulgakov with with foreward by Rowan Williams...as Fred Astaire sang, "heaven, I am in heaven..." If I only understood everything Fr. Bulgakov was teaching.

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Some thinkers require that one steep oneself in their writings till all at once you get it. He was of that sort.

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I've been accused of being many things, but a "thinker" is not one of them.

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What the world needs: The Thought of Sergius Bulgakov, by David Bentley Hart

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How about The Thought of David Bentley Hart, by Daniel Dennett?

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It's certainly a book you would have to read for the seething alone.

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Thanks for this. For someone who has not read any of Bulgakov's works do you have a recommendation as to where to start?

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It’s sort of like asking the best place to jump into the ocean. I say start near the end, with Bride of the Lamb.

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Thank you. I’m not sure if this volume would be right for me, The sophiology stuff in his writings goes over my head. Im not trained in philosophy

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This is a spiritual testament. It might actually be the ideal introduction to the man.

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I went on Amazon and it’s not available for prime at the moment. I hope that changes soon.

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Hmm. Wait for all the metadata to process.

A sentence I could never have imagined I would ever write.

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I am alas somewhat ignorant of Bulgakov’s work, there have to be novices :) Yet listening recently to RW once more I was drawn to learn more. And, Lo!

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Ordered. (I do not think that Rowan Williams wrote the "Forward," as the site has it.)

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Ah, hadn't noticed that. But I think it's correct. It's nothing but Rowan shouting "Forward!" to any reluctant reader.

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Wow, with that recommendation I'm rushing out to buy it (as soon as I return from Ireland next week). By the way, there was a loooong article about your visit here in The Irish Catholic newspaper. Have you seen it? I found it in a little church on Valentia Island. The cover story was about how they need more exorcists here.

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I remember the interview, and a pdf of the article was sent along to me yesterday. Aside from confusing Roland in Moonlight with Kenogaia, it was a fair portrait. But I didn't see the exorcist article. Now, that was clearly the important part.

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I imagine it was yr visit that convinced them of the need for more exorcists.

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It is curious how often those two things coincide.

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