Diary of the novice of the Optina Desert, Nikolay Belyaev (reverend Nikon the confessor)

In this publication, the full text of the diary is published for the first time - in all publications known to us, significant reductions have been made. In the process of preparing the manuscript, all previously known typewritten and manuscript variants of the diary, as well as one of the very first lists - a manuscript notebook located in private hands were studied, a large textological work was carried out - all the texts of the text were brought together and the most accurate of them were chosen. Minor editorial clarifications are given in square brackets. We draw the attention of readers that the diary is accompanied by comments that are composed of the memoirs of Ivan Belyaev, the brother of Fr. Nikon, they are placed at the end of the book. The substitution notes provide brief biographical information about the persons mentioned in the diary, historical events and facts are highlighted in more detail, and in some cases clarifying some controversial issues of church and public life. The text of the records made about. Nicon later, is given in substitution notes with a mark on the author’s affiliation. We hope that this publication will interest a wide range of readers and will help them find answers to many questions of spiritual life that arise in our difficult time