"Lectures on the history of the Ancient Church, second volume. History of the Church in the period before Constantine the Great" by Vasily Bolotov, a great Orthodox historian who knew how to combine scientific objectivity, fidelity to Tradition and a philosophical gift. In history, Bolotov saw “the voice of the church, scattered not only in space, but also in time, an irreplaceable voice that has always and everywhere been an object of faith for everyone.” Bolotov's "Lectures on the History of the Ancient Church" is a brilliant work, a classic of church historiography, perhaps the best on its topic (although a century has passed since their reading). "Lectures on the history of the Ancient Church. History of the Church in the period before Constantine the Great" are devoted to the history of the Church before Constantine: the struggle against paganism in life and thought; the internal life of the Church - the formation of dogma, ritual and discipline.