Harbor for Our Hope On Acquiring Peace Amidst Suffering

St Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807-1867) is renowned as a writer on the spiritual life in general. What is less well known is that throughout most of his adult life, he struggled with chronic illness and disability. Thus his own life experience disposed him to reflect on the meaning of suffering for human existence and how through it we might find “a harbor for our hope.” The saint frequently returns to these themes in many of his letters, newly translated into English and excerpted, adapted, and presented here in thematic subject groups. These writings provided a source of consolation and encouragement for the translator during her husband’s lengthy illness and eventual death. They will equally benefit all who suffer physical or spiritual pain, however great or small, and reveal how the love of God may be experienced in its midst.

Elena Borowski resides in San Marcos, CA and is a parishioner at St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Riverside. While her husband was undergoing a serious illness that ultimately claimed his life, Elena relied on the letters of St. Ignatius on love and suffering for consolation and comfort. She hopes to share his message of Christian joy with others through this, her first published translation. St Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807–1867) was a prolific author of Orthodox Christian ascetical works. Published toward the end of his life, his writings continued to grow in popularity long after his death.