Greece’s Dostoevsky: The Theological Vision of Alexandros Papadiamandis

"Alexandros Papadiamandis (Papadiamantis) (1851-1911) was the most important literary figure of nineteenth-century Greece and arguably of modern Greek literature more generally. Through his lively, tender, and profound short stories of the simple lives of the Orthodox faithful of his native island of Skiathos, Papadiamandis reveals a world of organically lived Orthodoxy, a world largely lost in the disintegrating order of modern life. As with Dostoevsky, Papadiamantis enjoyed close friendships with holy men of his age, such as St. Nicholas Planas. Likewise, as with Dostoevsky, he does not portray a romantic, ideal world but rather a profoundly human world of struggle that always has the possibility of transfiguration through life in Christ and His Church. ..."

The author, Anestis Keselopoulos, is Professor of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology at the Theological School of Aristotle University of Thessalonica. His theological works include Man and the Environment: A Study of Saint Symeon the New Theologian, published by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press and Passions and Virtues According to Saint Gregory Palamas, published by St. Tikhon’s Seminary Press.

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