Beautifully written as always. I also did not understand the book when I first read it, yet Alyosha’s doubt throughout this scene and in his conversation with Ivan really captivated me. I hope I can understand it better the next time I re-read this masterpiece.
I have a copy of the 1956 Brothers Karamozov film starring Yul Brynner. A big supporter of the expat Orthodox community in San Francisco after WWII.
In the movie Elder Zosima is played by William Shatner (Star Trek)! His first film role and so young!
The movie is pretty long with a strong moral punch at the end. I think that if this movie was made today, it wouldn’t have all the icons or be as religious.
I love the book as well. I am thinking a bit about the Orthodox 'jurodivi', the 'fools for Christ'. Their actions are mostly not in line with the rules of the church and reactions that it provokes reveal our pharisaism. I once saw one and he sat himself a little on the ambon reserved for the bishop to stand on. Thankfully nobody took offense and revealed themselves as a Pharisee. The fools for Christ take into account to be taken offense at for their actions and are willing to endure the scolding, judging, abuse and suffering.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-Yf5nIvt8N6nxJbmb7GOoO3JHGv8yuP9/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=117876598294722994295&rtpof=true&sd=true
Hey Austin, I wrote my Master's "Thesis" on this very topic. You might enjoy a deeper dive into what you've already found!
Thanks Daniel!
Beautifully written as always. I also did not understand the book when I first read it, yet Alyosha’s doubt throughout this scene and in his conversation with Ivan really captivated me. I hope I can understand it better the next time I re-read this masterpiece.
Very thought-provoking. Thank you!
My pleasure!
The fact that Lazarus smelled terrible didn’t make him any less saintly when Christ resurrected him.
The stories of Saints in the Orthodox Church don’t usually have that Saint exuding a sweet smell until their body/coffin is exhumed.
There are accounts of early Christian martyrs who died by torture exuding the smell of flowers from their broken bodies which amazed the jailers.
I’ve experienced that floral scent from a few small bones of Romanian martyrs tortured to death by communists for their faith.
A nun at St Paisius Monastery brought out a small paper thin pine box containing only a few small bones. She opened the lid and left the room.
What was interesting is that the scent never changed, never dissipated.
My friends and I were in a chapel with the box and the scent was steady, not chemical… so natural (I get migraines from floral scents but not this!).
What do we do with this?
I have seen people close to death change as though they are partially in heaven. The peace and joy glows on their face.
The Holy Spirit is in us, and our bodies are materially changed.
An aside…
I have a copy of the 1956 Brothers Karamozov film starring Yul Brynner. A big supporter of the expat Orthodox community in San Francisco after WWII.
In the movie Elder Zosima is played by William Shatner (Star Trek)! His first film role and so young!
The movie is pretty long with a strong moral punch at the end. I think that if this movie was made today, it wouldn’t have all the icons or be as religious.
I love the book as well. I am thinking a bit about the Orthodox 'jurodivi', the 'fools for Christ'. Their actions are mostly not in line with the rules of the church and reactions that it provokes reveal our pharisaism. I once saw one and he sat himself a little on the ambon reserved for the bishop to stand on. Thankfully nobody took offense and revealed themselves as a Pharisee. The fools for Christ take into account to be taken offense at for their actions and are willing to endure the scolding, judging, abuse and suffering.
Fools for Christ are such a fascinating part of the Orthodox tradition
Yes they are