The book by a modern biblical scholar, researcher at the Institute of Bible Translation Andrei Desnitsky includes articles and reports written by the author over the past decade. In them, the author explains some features of the perception of Holy Scripture, which are not always obvious to the modern reader; discusses such aspects of Church tradition as the attitude towards secular power, Lent and the date of Easter; reflects on pressing issues concerning the life of the Church in the modern world. For everyone interested in modern Orthodox thought. Source: Contents: PREFACE. With the memory of the first tablet 9I. SCRIPTURE 191. Opening the Bible 212. The Old Testament canon in the Orthodox tradition 413. The textual basis of the Synodal translation (Old Testament) 594. The Bible and the reader of the 21st century 755. Translation of the Bible as an exegetical dialogue 109II. TRADIO 1256. God enters history 1277. Forgiveness Sunday 1338. Lenten notes 1399. Easter between the sun, moon and two calendars 14310. Byzantine theology of state power 14911. Priesthood and kingdom in the Russian public consciousness 171III. MODERNITY 23312. My Face 23513. Meeting place - Karsava 24114. Ange in French - “angel” 24715. Heresy of popism 25516. Homo soveticus christianus 26117. Citizens of heaven with earthly registration 26718. Crescent against... against what? 32119. Liturgical language of the Russian Church (experience of a critical review of one discussion) 32920. Church of grandmothers and intellectuals 37121. A few words in defense of God from theologians 38722. Unboring marriage 403