How much torment Russia suffered in the 20th century, but also how much God’s mercy it saw in the new ascetics, martyrs and confessors revealed in it! Archbishop Theophan (Bystrov) became one of the great luminaries of the Orthodox Church and one of the greatest theologians of his time. He was the confessor of the Anointed Sovereign Emperor Nicholas II Alexandrovich and his entire Family. Saint Theophan was the “conscience of the Tsar,” the voice and guardian of Orthodox commandments and traditions. Rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, he became the defender of the Cross of the Lord, that is, the Orthodox teaching about the dogma of the Redemption, from the crusader heresy, blessed by the Foreign Synod, he served Holy Orthodoxy and criticism of Sophianism. A seer and prophet, a healer of souls and bodies - the humblest of people, persecuted by the world during his life, he ended it as a recluse in caves in France. An admirer and heir of Saint Theophan the Recluse, Saint Theophan the New Recluse himself acquired the Holy Spirit. May his life, his exploits and labors serve as support for the faithful in our cruel times, may they be for the glory of God and for the glory of the faithful in God.