“In the memorial essay “At Elder Barnabas” it is told how forty years ago I, a young, twenty-year-old student, “shaken from the Church,” chose for my wedding trip - by chance or not by chance - an ancient monastery, the Valaam Monastery. This trip did not pass without a trace: I had a lot of impressions and feelings - and a book was published. This first book of mine, which brought me both joy and anxiety, has long been distributed throughout Russian cities and towns. I don’t know if it exists abroad; hardly. Before the war, I was offered to republish it, but I refused: it was too young and light. Nowadays I wouldn’t write like that; but the essence has remained to this day: bright Valaam. During this time, a lot has changed both inside and outside of me. Russia, Orthodox Russia – where, what?! And the whole world has changed. Do you remember... the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and the Optina Pustyn? and Sarov, and Solovki?! Balaam stayed and survived. All the same? They say it's still the same. Thank God..."