The Book of Wanderings

That took place long time ago and nobody knows whether it really was. In one distant country there lived young Tsar with a beautiful wife, he doted upon. There were, as it used to be, court people, ministers, priests in his kingdom, but the dearest and the closest man to Tsar was his Adviser.

That took place long time ago and nobody knows whether it really was. A mighty empire spread over the distant mountains. Industrious and selfless its people were. Labor was their main value, and they shared that value with their country generously by cultivating stone soil of the stepped terraces, building fine roads from rocks, and looking after animals that gave wool, meat and milk.

That took place long time ago and nobody knows whether it really was. There was vast Country far overseas. Residents of that Country were industrious, occupied themselves with agriculture, science, and art, built cities, and erected fine temples.

hat took place a long time ago and nobody knows whether it really was. In the far Country, in the thick of the forest there stood a Monastery. Monks lived in concord: farmed the land won from the forest, took care of their modest Monastery household, prayed together to the Enlightened for peace and prosperity of their Country. But the time was disquieting.

That took place long time ago and nobody knows whether it really was. On one of the islands of the far south Sea there stood a City. The population of the City was numerous, residents occupied themselves with crafts, trade – the island was located at the crossing of the sea routes – sciences, art.

t took place a long time ago and nobody knows whether it really was. High in the mountains, lost among snows and rocks, there was a tiny Monastery. It was more like a sentry post by the borders of the Great Secret Country rather than monastery. Its residents - six monks and Father Superior - followed all canons of the monastery life.

hat took place a long time ago, at the remote past, when foreign hordes surrounded Saint Russian Land and the State was moaning from overwhelming yoke of invaders. Plunder and terror reigned in the country, divided into small principalities. There was no unity on the Russian land; there was no unity in people’s hearts.