Leo Tolstoy was truly a predictor. He lived fully in his belief, that art should be a tool to educate the masses and guide their moral compass. God bless him.
.I am glad to have some stories of Leo Tolstoy on RU-vid. They teach morals to people like to help those in need. His stories deal with people from Russia who travel long distances eg In the"Two Old Men" they travelled from Russia to Odessa to Jaffa to Jerusalem. They visited the place where Jesus was crucified. At some time they lost each other along their journey, one of them walked faster and Elisha stopped to help some people who were dying of hunger, illness. He spent his money to provide them with food, ways to get work eg bought some land and a horse and a calf. After his good deeds he continued his journey trying to join his friend . They both have a close relationship with God..Even there are not many people in Russia who believe in God. Tolstoy reminds us that there are some God-believinh .
I've heard of Tolstoy but never have read his works. 😮 well... I must say...this brings me to my knees!!😢 I want to live as God commands without expecting in return. I repent of my sins and pray for wisdom, discernment, strength and courage to endure 🙏 ❤️ What a well spoken story...very 👏 well done. Grabbed my heart, made me cru and now I'm smiling 😊❤️ HALLELUJAH 🙌 MARANATHA Texas Nana
ru-vid.com/group/PLdbXyyVfVp-6KMTMqKI0ZhlXTxcXNBoGX&feature=shared Prophecies of Daniel and Revelation unveiled by Scripture itself and not by human intrepetation. Utterly informative and eye opening.
Nina!you taught ME something. I never understood. To love God without expecting anything in return. Is that also unconditional love? Is that what it means? Wooh that's going to be a hard one same as forgiveness. I don't not. Only don't understand what it means but how to do it.
@angelicamichelle1646 forgiveness has a lot to do with letting go. Letting God be their righteous judge. " Vengeance is Mine, says the Lord" . It also has to do with "praying for your enemies", as Jesus said. Ask Him to help you to forgive them. Which does not mean opening yourself to more abuse, if that is the case. You can endeavour to forgive . Sometimes you have to forgive many times because the pain remains and you wonder if you have forgiven. But forgiveness is an attitude of heart 💙 and a choice. Not really a feeling. It is of course much easier if the people ask for forgiveness.
Blessings to you All. God so loved the World that He gave His(self) only Son that whomsoever beliefeth shall have everlasting Life. Book of John. Our day is at ni🙏🕊
I can imagine the story just like when I was a boy. Timeless soul searching; reaffirming love, compassion, and charity as the epitome of Christian values.
Beautiful. ; So feeling blessed to listen this story ; Gratitude ❤️🙏. It is great lesson which cannot be found elsewhere. Thanks from the bottom of my heart. 💕
Beautiful parable. Tolstoy truly was a religious person. Many of stories have his religion as their base. His writings are so deftly written that they come through in English. I can’t imagine what the sound and phrasing must be in Russian. 🐻🌼🌱
I never realized Tolstoy was a Christian. What a blessing his stories would have been for Russians who don't have the freedom to openly express their faith. I love the way he frames the stories in the Bible to assimilate to the everyday life of his times
This is not a Christian story. A Christian story would honor Christ for removing our sins. The Godson in this story removes his sins by doing or not doing things. Forgiveness is a gift from God and cannot be earned by doing or not doing.
Tolstoy was of the Russian Orthodox tradition, repentance requires trading our fallen life for Christ Jesus' ... The Holy Exchange of lives by The Holy Spirit. Come and see. Orthodox Christian Faith and The Church of The Apostles. Keeping The Faith since 33AD
Thank you. My grandmother was born 1900 Castlemarre del Golfo Sicily. Emigrated to USA 1914. I can hear her telling me stories of the old days already. Thank you again.
Tolstoï was on the literature programme, so, I have no merit to have known OF him. Through the years I remembered reading his pages calmed me with delight. 7 decades after I still reach for his books to be read over and over again. I then feel alive.Thank you/
Thankyou for this amazing short story it really touched my heart We need more people in these sad times of war and hunger to reach out to those in need Need before greed and your heart will be fulfilled.
You are right in saying many religious people can write beautiful stories. The difference in Tolstoy’s , what seems to touch our hearts is the spirit in which he wrote. Going beyond being religious he had a personal relationship with God. Many can be religious without really “knowing” God. He knew and the knowing deepens and shines through in the stories. The truth of his understanding of human nature is similar to what the gospels express when they say “…but Jesus knew the hearts of men.” Like you, I’m sure glad to have found these stories. This is the first time I’ve read them.
This is an analogy for the wars we engage in--currently Ukraine and in Gaza. Christ loves and beacons us all to return to him. Only when he leads a battle can we say we are not sinning in our blood shed.
Every nation does have both the right and the responsibility to defend their own people against unjust attacks and unprovoked invasions! Countries and leaders of governments do have the responsibility to defend their borders, and to provide peace and safety for their people. This is not saying that everyone should go, fight and kill- but it is not wrong for governments to have armies and guards who defend and protect their country. Those who volunteer (especially those who are not already following Jesus, those who have no higher good than themselves) are not doing wrong to defend their friends, family and kinsmen from evil invaders, at the command of their king. I’m not saying you must all go kill somebody, as there are many ways to help. Scripture teaches us to overcome evil with good. So it is a wonderful idea to help those in need during such times of crisis! It is good to protect the innocent, to clothe and house those who lost their homes and have no safe place, nor warm clothing. It is very good to feed the hungry, to nurse the wounded etc. But for those who are voluntarily choosing to lay their own lives down in order to protect their friends and families, their neighbors, their parents and grandparents; well, Jesus says in John 15:13 “No one has greater love than the one who lays his life down for his friends.” They deserve respect! If innocent civilians are invaded, attacked by an enemy nation, realize that these civilians didn’t ask to be invaded! They don’t deserve invasion, torture, or murder! It is not wrong for armies of the government to protect, or to deliver these victims. If an unjust enemy comes invading their land, such civilians are innocent victims who should be helped by ALL who are able, and they should not be punished, falsely blamed or held guilty by anyone! They should not be controled and manipulated by an invading, temporarily occupying enemy nation, they should not be told they cannot speak their own language! This is what ruSSians are doing now. These innocent Ukrainian victims should not be tortured, raped, horribly maimed and starved, like Russia is doing to innocent Ukrainians now. They should not have their homes destroyed, their schools destroyed, their libraries and churches destroyed, their grocery stores, restaurants, all kinds of shops and farms should NOT be destroyed because those civilians have done nothing wrong!!! The fields of Ukrainian farmers should not be full of millions and millions of land mines, nor should the forest! But now it is so, because RuSSia wants Ukrainians to not be able to go outdoors freely, and to not even be able to grow food. In fact, Millions of these Innocent people have been made homeless by Russia. Millions have died or have fled from Russians attacks. More than 20,000 children, possibly even over 200,000 children have been kidnapped by Russia and many of them are now in military schools inside Russia learning to be soldiers! In the Temporarily Occupied territories, Russia is training and trying to force Ukrainian people to become Russian soldiers and fight against their own Ukrainian people! You can imagine how Russia treats Ukrainian citizens who will not obey them when commanded to do evil! Many of these Ukrainian citizens end up in jail, being raped, tortured by electricity, beatings, starvation, poisoning, cutting and castration, murdered. 💙🙏🏼💛🕯 Russia has used illegal chemical weapons against Ukrainian towns and cities for 2 years now. Even as Russia continues to lose territory, the poor people in areas Russia temporarily occupies now are being tortured and imprisoned. Russia starves POWs, Tortures them with every evil & perverse thing they can think of: cutting with knives, beatings and electrical shocks on their most sensitive parts daily, and starvation. We have seen what Russian does to POWs, and we have seen the difference in how Ukraine treats POWs according to the Geneva Convention. POWs who are held in Ukraine return to Russia in good health, having been well fed and well treated. On the other hand, Ukrainian POWs under Russian control never get what they need, they don’t get medical care because Russians want them to suffer and be in as much pain as possible. Many of us have seen the marks of their torture. Russia is an evil nation, a Fascist, Colonial Dictatorship where people are not free to follow their conscience! They do not allow self-determination, freedom of speech or freedom of religion. Their elections are not free or fair, but instead they are rigged. Poutine is an expert at election manipulation, and therefore he was the perfect person to help Trump win the 2016 election, because Trump is such a good buddy of his. Many of my dear friends have needed to leave Russia over the last 10 years, for the safety of their families. Some return to the US, some went other places to serve or teach. Russia consistently and continually breaks the international rules of war and refuses to follow the Geneva Convention for humane treatment completely, because Russia is a Terrorist State. We have heard and seen the spontaneous rejoicing when towns and cities are freed from Russian occupation! We have seen videos taken during occupation. We have seen the mass killing and mass graves Russians created and caused to be created, by leaving cities full of dead people. Ukrainians are innocent. They are fighting to be able to remain free and independent, within their internationally recognized borders as set in 1991, and recognized by all other nations on earth. This includes Russia- how many times signed on treaties and other legal documents that they would respect the borders of Ukraine and not claim anything inside of them!! From this and many other similar situations over the last 20 years, we can see that Putin‘s Russia is not to be trusted at all. If they are speaking, they are lying. Almost always they are guilty of the things they accuse others of doing. The age of colonialism is over! But Russia has decided to become a colonizer again and if stealing parts of other nations while threatening others that they may invade or attack with nuclear weapons. They are a big bully I need to learn the lesson that bullying is not the way to get along with your neighbors! This is why the situation in Ukraine is totally different, because Ukrainians are innocent and have not been attacking anyone- except defending after ruSSia invaded! Ukrainians have been oppressed and formerly occupied by Russia, attacked by Russia and had many things stolen from them such as people and resources over the decades and centuries. TERRORIST ruSSia must learn they cannot get away with being an evil big bully who invades and steals from his smaller neighbors. They steal land because they want more sea access, They want the mines full of minerals and precious metals, oil and natural gas. Russia has been so abusive to the people they don’t want to have more children, so now they’re stealing children from their neighbors in order to have enough workers and soldiers. Finally, after many decades of Russian occupation, in 1991 Ukraine regained their freedom and independence! But now, 33 years later Russia is doing it again, and this time they’re attacking primarily civilians. They’ve killed countless innocent citizens, destroyed countless Homes, Schools, Libraries, Churches, Grocery stores and other such “dangerous, threatening” places! The nation of Ukraine has the right and the responsibility to protect their people, and to push the invader out so their own Ukrainian people can remain free, to enjoy Democracy, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of self-determination! Russia is the aggressor nation and this evil attack series of attacks! They believe they can build up the Russian empire again by overpowering other countries in Europe and making them a colony of Russia the world is showing Russia this is not acceptable. Russia is fighting an unjust war where they abuse and steal kill and destroy. Ukraine is fighting adjust war, for the freedom of their people and protection of the rest of Europe and For the rights of other nations to not be colonized, as they keep threatening. It is imperative that Russian evil plans are stopped in Ukraine, and not allowed to go further. If poutine does advance one country to the north or one country to the south, then NATO is involved and we have World War III. So helping Ukraine now to remain free, helping heal up the wounded, helping Ukraine to rid their land of Russian occupation and abuse, is a noble cause! Ukraine being victorious helps prevent young people from all around the world being called to fight another land war in Europe and Asia, like my grandparent’s generation had to do. So in a very real sense, Ukraine’s fight to defend the sovereignty and freedom for all their people, and all their land is ALSO a fight to protect OUR children and grandchildren from dying and shedding their blood in a world war. We must be at minimum Good Samaritans in this modern story of real need, and help the victims in Ukraine. This is the largest international issue at present, and the outcome of this war will determine the future of our governments and countries around the world. Either our borders will be respected, or they will not be. Let’s not encourage an evil bully! We must never take the side of those who come to steal, kill and destroy like ruSSia has done. 💙🙏🏼💛 🖖🏼🇺🇦💪🏽🌅🌻
I forgot to say a big “thank you” to neuralsurfer for providing good and decent literature. I wouldn’t have found these stories on my own 😊. I will pass your site along to friends. Again, many thanks and please keep up the excellent work. Blessings.
I so wish these short stories would be read to children in school I recall my teacher reading story's to us I attended 3 different schools in 1st grade. The 3rd school I attended was the teach who read to us. Her name was Mrs. Mark. Many times she would call upon me to read in class from my reader book. I so enjoyed her. This was 1960 s. I have been Blessed and continue to be blessed daily. Thank you!
It may be important to not let the back up guardian connection interfere with the parentage connections. Realizing that one is a sinner may be a cause to hope. Our reactions to sinners may be what they need to change.
I loved Leo Tolstoy and God wrote through him. Like CS Lewis and GK Chesterton and Tolkein. The best writers of God. Was Victor Hugo a Christian. I got with God later in life but I'm sad I did not get with God earlier. God does exist I'm sure. Intellectuals want proof when all they have to do is get to know God by experience.
Your comment is very interesting to read and well articulated. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as you would like me to believe. It is, of course easy and perhaps even natural to accept what you say if one is living a life without necessary wants with something left over. But what do you say to the homeless mother, the starving child, the unjustly incarcerated? Is it reasonable to expect that such people should adopt an attitude to deity similar to those of the over privileged? I am not so inclined to accept they should. You are aware that when these forgotten souls attempt to improve their sad lot, they are rebuked and those who claim to represent deity stay silent except for self serving homilies delivered on Sunday which are essentially meaningless.Amen!
READING IS A FAVORITE HOBBIE OF MINE. I REMEBER TRIPS TO THE LIBERY IN THE SUMMER WHEN MRS. KELLY WES LIBERIAN. SHE WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN MY ENJOYING READING! ALL GONE EXCEPTMY LOVE OF READING.
To me this story teaches how Art and Literature could reform and man which is the divine duty of all human beings. May the world see more artists of his calibre.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderfully narrated story of Tolstoy to us. God works in mysterious ways! Its like an answer to a very fervent prayer of mine.... for the sanctification of us all. So...I see that there is serious work to be done, for the journey "home"
Never before right now -- not in the entire history of humanity -- have so many educated people lived so freely and so abundantly. And for just 18 years, we have been connected to this shared, worldwide experience with near-instant communication. It is GUARANTEED to Wake "THIS" Generation Up! Because the Father knows what you need, before you ask.
Leo Tolystoy has opened for me the door of repentance, that I may toll for my sins and so work to help redeem fallen mankind. There is no otber joy. Hate, vengence, and pride brings only self distruction. Wisdom!!!
This story has several abrupt transitions. The first occurs when the protagonist goes to visit his godfather and does not return to his father's house. The second occurs when the protagonist enters the forbidden room and performs wonders sitting on the throne. Expelled from his godfather's house, the character meets a hermit who orders him to do something senseless and dies. The abrupt death of the hermit does not make the protagonist stop the meaningless task and because he continues doing that he becomes respectable. It is at this moment that the protagonist encounters the violent thief and finds it difficult to convince him to change his life. When this happens the protagonist dies. It is difficult to interpret this tale, which starts out realistic (the poor father has difficulty finding a godfather for his son) and becomes more and more fantastic when the character goes to visit the mysterious godfather and lives with him. In our own lives, we undergo psychological transformations. But the stages of these transformations do not correspond very well to those present in the story, as adults refuse to carry out meaningless tasks (the character does this). After getting older, no one wastes more time trying to change other people's behavior and moves away from undesirable situations more easily (the character is unable to accept the thief as he is or distance himself from him). This excludes the possibility of interpreting this tale in a psychological way. The mysticism present in the story is evident and this seems to me to be something specifically Russian. The effect that reading this story produces on a Russian reader must be very different from what it produces on a reader who belongs to a different culture. Maybe a Russian person perceives things that I am not capable of perceiving as a Brazilian. Hearing it made me feel very strange. And I didn't really appreciate the ruptures introduced into the narrative by the author.
I am Indian and I feel the story very heart touching ; what is in it that doesn't goes well with your notions... Please share so that we may exchange our thoughts. Namaste ❤️
What a beautiful mind you have being able to put down your observations and feelings. May I say that your questioning whether this may be specific to Russia is interesting to me. I can answer that question and say it is very much a human transformation through seeking. The time period in which this story takes place is so different from now. The connection people had to the earth, weather, each other, and mostly a clearer conception of Gods plan. Once One realizes consciously they are seeking a deeper meaning of this life the light of the divine enters within. We realize the duality of this existence and make the choice to do the right thing to the best of our ability and hence choose the positive polarity. We realize the many mistakes and hurtful things we hav done and start making amends as well as correcting our thoughts and deeds. Prayer, meditation, service to all with contemplation we start to change and the glories of God become clear as we seek to purify.
In this material world, fame, power, material wealth and opulence are serached by many due to envy, greed, lust and anger ... "So much money i have acquired, I want more. I have removed one of my enemies and I shall continue to remove others who dare to compete with me...." This is the mentality of the atheists not knowing that the seeds they have planted will bear the type of fruits in the future...
it seems leo didn't fully comprehend the saving, atoning work of jesus christ's death and ressurection, for each and every heart. and that it is the holy spirit who redeems hearts and sets them free.
He did. Unless we accept the lesson of Hebrews 11 we are not saved. Unless we repent and live by Faith, we do not exchange our fallen life for His resurrected one !! That is the Faith Christ gives by the Holy Spirit that the West are cut off from by Rome and the Reformers. Orthodox Christianity. Telling the truth of The Gospel since 33 AD ☦️👑🙏😢
Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Gabriel of Georgia, Luke of Crimea, Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia, Paisios of Souroti, Sofrony of Essex, John of Shanghai and San Francisco and John of Krondstadt, pray to God for us.
What Biblical bases do you have for assuming that Saints who have passed (assuming also that these people were indeed sanctified) could pray for anyone?
@@joantaylor468 Christ is Risen !! Do you read the Bible as an historical document or alive today? When the Church council collated the books and letters to form the 2 testaments of God, they, and we, still live with the people in and of them as part of our fellowship, including all who (will) believe because of the message. Jesus Christ: The same; yesterday, today and forever ! Colossians 3 v 3. Psalm 8 v 4-6 1 John vv 2 &3 1 John 5 vv 13,14&15 2 John 1: 8 Hebrews 2v 10 Hebrews 12 v 1 ... Chapter 11 names those of notable Faith. 2 Tim 2 v 11 1 Corinthians 15 vv 17 - 22 ESP verse 19 ! Revelation 2 v 11 The last 3 chapters of Hebrews ...
@@joantaylor468 look at they way they responded to Christ in them (the hope of Glory). How grace worked in them and their actions, because of The Holy Spirit.
