Strannik

‘Strannik’ is Russian for pilgrim — pilgrimage comes out of a quest for God.  

An inspiring, short book on the interior pilgrimage we make as followers of Christ.

In Strannik, Catherine shows that pilgrimage is not just something for a few spiritual ascetics with wanderlust. Even less does it resemble the modern tourist-style ‘pilgrimages’ that try to cover as many holy places as possible in the briefest time possible. Rather, the true strannik begins by looking within the self, where God already dwells. While the author does tell us about external pilgrimages such as she herself experienced as a child in Russia, the pilgrimages she is writing about are principally interior.

In ‘Remembrance of Paradise’ (chapter one) Catherine Doherty states that the pilgrimage she is writing about is life’s journey toward oneness with God: ‘All men who have religion dream of total sobornost (unity) with God and man.’ Chapter Two, ‘Following the Pilgrim Christ,’ develops the theme  of Jesus’ role in uniting the Trinity with humanity. Without Christ we cannot complete our journey. “Christ was the pilgrim who pilgrimed from the bosom of the Father to the hearts of men and women.”

The next two chapters draw upon the author’s own experience to reveal how she came to a deeper understanding that being a pilgrim involves an inward journey more than an outward trip to a shrine.

“Chapter Five, ‘Pilgrimage to the Hearts of Men,’ discloses a new level of pilgrimage—going into the hearts of men and women.

Strannik speaks to all who dream of unity with the Source of Life, and encourages readers to see their life as a pilgrimage back to this Source.