The ascetic path of Archpriest John Steblin-Kamensky (1887–1930)

Abstract

The article, on the basis of archival data and letters, examines Father John’s biography as a priest and devotee. The discovered facts allowed the author to draw the conclusion that even though Father John (secular name Ivan Georgievich Steblin-Kamensky) knew how his ministry could end, he went into the ministry and became one of the most extraordinary Orthodox clergy of the 20th century. The article focuses on the fact that neither exile nor camps could break Father John’s confidence in the truth of the faith and retreat, showing loyalty to the authorities. Despite everything, Father John defended his vision of the role of Russian Orthodoxy in the life of society and man. The revelation of the spiritual significance of the image a martyr, who became evidence of the truth of the Orthodox faith through the realization of the essence of martyrdom, can be considered the outcome of the research.