Although his identity and historicity have been questioned, there is evidence that Father Arseny's story is essentially true, although probably not tied to a single person. In the foreword to the second edition of Father Arseny: Pries, Prisoner, Spiritual Father, Peter Bouteneff outlines findings of a research team from St Tikhon's University in Moscow (2017): "We have to conclude that 'Father Arseny' is a collective name for the heroes of the stories in the book - wonderful elder-pastors who went through the crucible of persecution for the faith of Christ. It would not be entirely correct to consider Father Arseny as an artistic creation because the book describes real events and real people, and not fiction inspired by these events. It would be more correct to call the name 'Father Arseny' a shared pseudonym for the ascetics depicted in the book." The research team at St Tikhon's University; "have found five or more persons known by name, some already glorified as saints, who are the personal subjects of the stories."

Regardless of specific details, two things seem clear. First, Father Arseny's story reflects the reality of Orthodox Christian piety under Soviet communism. This reality demonstrates a robust, life-giving stream of Christ-centered, love-saturated, and peace-filled spirituality. Second, many readers of Father Arseny's story testify that the accounts ring true and reflect the heart of true Christianity. The story of Father Arseny illustrates the fruits of a life of prayer. There is no genuine life in this world without prayer. It is in the spirit of Father Arseny's story that this website is created. 

Here is a list of resources about Father Arseny:

BOOKS

• Father Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father.  St. Vladimirs Seminary Press; 2nd edition (January 1, 2021).

• Father Arseny: A Cloud of Witnesses. St. Vladimirs Seminary Press (2001).

• Original Edition (English translation):

  • Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father : Being the Narratives Compiled by the Servant of God Alexander Concerning His Spiritual Father.  St. Vladimirs Seminary Press (1998).