Father Sergius

Leo Tolstoy was a Russian novelist, essayist, dramatist and philosopher. Tolstoy was a member of the aristocratic Tolstoy family. He was known as an educational reformer, pacifist and Christian anarchist. His masterpiece War and Peace made him one of the world’s greatest novelists. His ability to depict life in 19th century Russia made him a leader in realist fiction. Tolstoy’s stand on nonviolent resistance influenced twentieth century people such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ghandi. In Petersburg there was a handsome prince, Stepan Kasatsky, who was an officer in the Cuirassier Life Guards. His future looked certain to becoming the aide-de-camp to the Emperor Nicholas. He left the service and broke his engagement to a beautiful young girl when on the eve of their wedding he found out she was having an affair with Nicholas. He became a monk. Many years of humility and doubt follow, and now a hermit, he performs miracles for the village natives. Moments of temptation test his faith, and unfortunate instances of female provocation lead to his failure.