A Simple Gospel Word to the Russian People: Readings for the Sundays and Feasts of the Whole Year
19th c. · Asceticism & Spirituality · English translation, 2026
Source edition: Простое евангельское слово русскому народу: статьи для чтения по воскресным и праздничным дням всего года (azbyka.ru; from the pre-revolutionary Russian edition, St. Petersburg 1902)
Cover art: Yuri's Day (A Peasant Leaving His Landlord) (1908) — Sergei Ivanov (Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
.jpg){kind=link}
Eighty-five gospel readings for the Sundays and feast days of the year, from St. John of Kronstadt's 1902 collection for the Russian people: short, direct homilies on Eternity, Pride and Humility, the Last Judgment and Mutual Love, closing with pieces on autocracy and on the houses of industry that served Kronstadt's poor.
Free to read onlineDownload free:EPUBKindle (AZW3)Kobo (KEPUB)
Contents
- Editor’s Introduction
- 1. A Simple Gospel Word to the Russian People: Articles for Reading on the…
- 2. Eternity
- 3. The Preaching of the Forerunner
- 4. The Baptism of the Lord
- 5. Light in the Darkness
- 6. Blindness of the Soul
- 7. The Penitent Zacchaeus
- 8. The Meeting of the Lord
- 9. Pride and Humility
- 10. Turn Back
- 11. The Last Judgment
- 12. On the Eve of the Fast
- 13. On Repentance
- 14. A Homily on Communion of the Holy Mysteries
- 15. Are We Christians?
- 16. The Lord Is With Us Even Now
- 17. The Life-Giving Cross of the Lord
- 18. The Demoniacs
- 19. The Work of Christ
- 20. The Entry of the Lord Into Jerusalem
- 21. What Fruits Does the Lord Expect From Us?
- 22. Our Sacrifice to the Lord Who Suffered
- 23. The Meaning of the Mystery of the Cross
- 24. The Word Became Flesh
- 25. A Great Joy
- 26. The Fourth Commandment
- 27. How Can We Serve the Lord?
- 28. The Font of Grace
- 29. Living Water
- 30. Spiritual Blindness
- 31. The Pearl
- 32. Why Did the Lord Ascend From Us Into Heaven?
- 33. How Can We Obtain Eternal Life?
- 34. The Gifts of Grace of the Holy Spirit
- 35. «Be Holy, for I Am Holy»
- 36. The Calling of the Apostles
- 37. God or Mammon?
- 38. The Wondrous Pair
- 39. The Power of Faith
- 40. Evil Spirits
- 41. The Sorrowful Reality
- 42. Our Blind Men
- 43. Spiritual Food
- 44. Prayer and Hope in God
- 45. Be Renewed!
- 46. Faith and Unbelief
- 47. The Mercy of God and Human Hardness of Heart
- 48. Victory Over Death
- 49. The Path to Eternal Blessedness
- 50. God’s Vineyard
- 51. The Marriage Feast
- 52. Sorrow and Joy
- 53. The Love of God for the Human Race
- 54. The Cross of Christ
- 55. Bearing the Cross
- 56. Two Commandments
- 57. The Lazy Servants
- 58. The Faith of the Canaanite Woman
- 59. Nets
- 60. A Wondrous Reward
- 61. The Law of Love
- 62. The Heavenly Protectress
- 63. From Death to Life
- 64. The Divine Protection
- 65. The Word of God and Its Hearers
- 66. The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus
- 67. The Gadarene Demoniac
- 68. Where to Seek Help During Illness?
- 69. The House of God
- 70. On the Love of God and Neighbor
- 71. Wealth
- 72. Modern Sins
- 73. The Two Roads
- 74. Leprosy
- 75. A Deadly Passion
- 76. The Called and the Chosen
- 77. The High Kinship
- 78. At the Manger of the Savior
- 79. A Sacrifice Pleasing to God
- 80. The Royal Service
- 81. The Uprightness and Truth of the Orthodox Faith
- 82. Autocracy
- 83. Houses of Industry
- 84. Why Are We Given the Names of the Saints?
- 85. Mutual Love
- 86. Why Is Life Given to a Person?
- The Author: Saint John of Kronstadt