This book is dedicated to the three pillars of Russian Orthodox asceticism: Kirill Belozersky, Nil Sorsky and Mikhail Novoselov. They lived at different times, but are very closely related to each other. Remaining faithful to the patristic tradition of Orthodoxy amid strife and upheaval, they internally renounced the world and entered into radical conflict with their era. Against church officialdom. Against the authorities. Against lies, violence, cowardice and weakness. Against the spirit of this world. It is precisely this ascetic Orthodox tradition that must be attributed to the very preservation of Orthodoxy in Russia to this day. It is precisely such stories and destinies that, better than any textbooks of faith, give an understanding of what Christianity is and what it means to be an Orthodox Christian.