[[ArchimandriteFile:Saint Sophrony of Essex.jpg|thumb|Saint Sophrony of Essex ]]==Timeline==[[Saint]] Sophrony (Sakharov), also '''Elder Sophrony''', was best known as the disciple and biographer of St [[Silouan the Athonite]] and compiler of St Silouan's works, and as classic book [https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/saint-silouan-the-athonite Saint Silouan the Athonite]. He is also the founder of the [[Patriarchal Stavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist (Maldon, Essex)|Patriarchal Stavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist]] in Tolleshunt Knights, Maldon, Essex, England.

On [[September 23]], 1896, Sergei Symeonovich Sakharov was born to Orthodox parents in Russia. As a child, Sergei would pray daily, later recalling that he would pray for 45 minutes without stress. Even as a child, Sergei experienced the Uncreated Light. He read widely, including such Russian greats as GoglGogol, Turgenev, Tolstoy, [[Fyodor Dostoevsky|Dostoyevsky ]] and Pushkin.

Due to great artistic talent, Sergei studied at the Academy of Arts between 1915 and 1917, and then at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture between 1920 and 1921. Sergei used art as a "quasi-mystical" means "to discover eternal beauty", "breaking through present reality...into new horizons of being.". Later, this would help him to differentiate between human intellectual light and God's Uncreated Light.

It was around the time of his study at the Moscow School that Sergei would see Christianity's focus on personal love as being necessarily finite; he falls fell away from the Orthodoxy of his youth and delves delved into Indian mystical religions based on the impersonal Absolute.

In 1921, Sergei left Russia: , partly to continue his artistic career in Western Europe, and partly because he was not a Marxist. After first going to Italy, he went to Berlin, and then settled in Paris in 1922.

In 1924, Sergei came to the realisation realization that [[Christ]]'s precept to love God with all of one's being was not merely a psychological thing, but ontological; that this total love was the only way to relate to God; and that love had to be a personal thing by definitional necessity, and on . On [[Holy Saturday|Holy and Great Saturday ]] of that year, he returns returned to Christianity. He experiences experienced the [[Uncreated Light]] in a strength unmatched to the end of his life and, as a result, distances distanced himself from his artwork.

Sergei then became among the first students of the [[St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute (Paris, France)|St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute]] in Paris. He was lectured by Fr [[Sergei Sergius Bulgakov]] and [[Nikolai Berdyaev|Nicholas Berdyaev]], but while both influenced Sergei, problems with each (Bulgakov's [[sophiology]] and Berdyaev's anti-[[asceticism]]) limited the influence they had on the future Elder.

In 1925, finding formal theological study to be inherently unfulfilling, Sergei leaves left the Institute and Paris to become a monk on [[Mount Athos]].

===Mt Mount Athos===Sergei arrived at Mt Athos in 1926, where he entered the [[St. Panteleimon's Monastery (Athos)|Russian Orthodox Monastery of St. Panteleimon]] with the intent of learning how to pray and to have the right attitude towards God. He was tonsured [[tonsure]]d with the name of Sophrony. In 1930, Fr Sophrony was [[ordination|ordained ]] to the [[diaconate]] by St [[Nikolai Velimirovic|Nicolai (Velimirovic) of Zicha]], and he becomes became a disciple of St [[Silouan the Athonite]], who would prove to be Fr Sophrony's greatest and life-long influence. St Silouan had no formal system of theology, being largely uneducated, but his life exuded theology, and this . This is what taught Fr Sophrony, and what Fr Sophrony would later systematisesystematize.

Between 1932 and 1946, Fr Sophrony would exchange exchanged letters with Fr David Balfour, a British spy and a [[Roman Catholic |Catholic]] who converted to Orthodoxy. These These letters reveal revealed Fr Sophrony's knowledge of many [[Holy Fathers|Fathers of the Church]], force and they forced Fr Sophrony to articulate his theological thought, and to demonstrate the differences between Western and Eastern thought. Many of Fr Sophrony's later thoughts would arise out of the same topics addressed in this correspondence.

In 1938, St Silouan On [[24 September 24|reposes]]1938, St. Silouan reposed in the Lord. Following the saint's his spiritual father’s instructions, Fr Father Sophrony left the monastery grounds to reside in the Athonite desert; : first at Karoulia, then at a cave near St Paul's Monastery. During his His residence in this desert was lasted World War II's duration (, 1939-1945), which and it proved to be a time of such intense prayer that Fr Father Sophrony's health was affected. This taught him the interdependence of all humanity. In 1941, Elder Sophrony was ordained to the priesthood[[priest]]hood. He becomes became a [[Geronta|spiritual father]] to many Athonite monks.

There are a number of possible reasons as to why Elder Sophrony left Mt Athos. It may have been due to his deteriorating health, or to publish St Silouan's works, or to complete his theological education; it may simply have been due to the problems of being a non-Greek on Mt Athos after the close of World War II. Nonetheless, Elder Sophrony felt compelled to move to Paris, where Balfour helps helped him gain a passport. The faculty of St Sergius Institute allow allowed Elder Sophrony to sit the examinations of the whole course and to provide provided for his needs; however, upon his arrival, the faculty insist on insisted that Elder Sophrony denyingdeny, by silence, the grace present in the [[Church of Russia|Moscow Patriarchate]]. Elder Sophrony refuses refused to do this so and, therefore, does did not reenter the Institute. Elder Sophrony settles settled in Russian House, an old-age home, in St Genevieve-des-Bois, where he assists assisted the local priest and acts acted as the father confessor. He has had a major operation on a stomach ulcer.

In the The next year, Elder Sophrony produces produced the first mimeographed edition of ''Staretz Silouan'' on hand-roneo. Within this text, Elder Sophrony outlines St Silouan's principles of theology, and he explains many fundamental concepts, among them prayer for the whole world, God-forsakenness and the idea of all humanity being interconnected.

1950 sees Elder Sophrony working with [[Vladimir Lossky]] on the ''Messager de l’Exarchat du Patriarche Russe en Europe Occidentale'', which he does did until 1957. Lossky influences influenced Elder Sophrony's thought on many contemporary issues, and complements while complementing Elder Sophrony's work on [[Holy Trinity|Trinitarian ]] thought and its application to the Church and humanity; however, Lossky would not talk about a [[deification|deified ]] human nature, nor about the idea of God-forsakenness in a positive view, as Elder Sophrony did.

In 1952, Elder Sophrony produces produced a second edition, professionally done, of ''Staretz Silouan'', bringing much fame to both St Silouan and Elder Sophrony. Based on Lossky's criticism that he could find no theological value in the Saintsaint's works, Elder Sophrony included a theological introduction to St Silouan's writings.

*By 1958: , Elder Sophrony had many a number of people living near him and , seeking the monastic life. A property at Tolleshunt Knights, Maldon, Essex, England was inspected.*1959: , and the next year the Community of St John the Baptist was formed at Tolleshunt Knights this site, under the [[omophorion]] of Metropolitan [[Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh]]. Monastery has The monastery had both monks and nuns, something that has continued to the present, and numbers originally had sixmembers.* In 1965: Monastery of St John , the monastery would move under the Baptist, with blessing omophorion of Patriarch Alexy, moved under the [[Church of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarchate]], adding the title 'Patriarchal's omophorionto its name. Later, the Ecumenical Patriarchate would upgrade elevated the Monastery monastery to '[[Stavropegic]]'.[[Image:sophrony8.jpg|right|frame|Archimandrite Sophrony]]*In 1973: Publication of , a more complete translation of the life of St Silouan, under the title ''Monk of Mt Athos'' (, was published, followed by the life of St Silouan).*1975: Publication publication of ''Wisdom of Mt Athos'' (the . The writings of St Silouan)were published later in full in the book [https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/saint-silouan-the-athonite Saint Silouan the Athonite].*1977: Elder Sophrony seemed to move to his own works after this, publishing ''His Life is Mine'' publishedin 1977 and [https://essexmonastery.*1985: ''com/bookshop/we-shall-see-him-as-he-is "We Shall See Him As as He Is'' "] in 1985. This last book, a very frank, open spiritual autobiography, was published, to mixed reviews: where the West generally enjoyed the book, the Russians generally criticised the bookcriticized it. Some of the criticism was so stinging that it, along with increasing illness, discouraged Elder Sophrony from writing again.*In 1987: , the Ecumenical Patriarchate glorifies glorified St [[Silouan the Athonite]], no doubt assisted by his fame from Elder Sophrony's works.

The monastery had been informed that the only way that it could bury people on its property was to build an underground crypt, which it proceeded . Proceeding then to buildit, and to which Elder Sophrony , now of advanced years, said that he would not repose until the crypt was ready. ThenLater, on having been told of received news that the expected completion date of was [[July 12 July]], 1993, Elder Sophrony stated that he "would be ready". On the 11th, Elder Sophrony reposed; on July 11th. His funeral and burial took place on the 14th was his funeral and burial, attended by monastics from around the world. At the time of Fr Sophrony's repose, there are were 25 monastics in the monastery, a number that has remained steady since then.[[Image:Reposed_Elder_Sophrony.jpg|thumb|Repose of Elder Sophrony - 11th July 1993]]

Mother Elizabeth, the eldest nun, reposed soon after, on the July 24th. This was in accordance with Elder Sophrony's words that he would repose first, and she would repose soon after.

''[https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/on-prayer/ On Prayer''], a book containing Elder Sophrony's writings on prayer - , particularly the [[Jesus Prayer - is ]], was published posthumously. On November 27, 2019, the Ecumenical Patriarchate proclaimed the glorification of Elder Sophrony as a saint of the Orthodox Church.

*[https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/we-shall-see-him-as-he-is/ ''The Undistorted ImageWe Shall See Him As He Is''], 1985. Essex, England: Staretz SilouanStravropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist, 18661988 (ISBN 0-9512786-4-19389)*''[https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/saint-silouan-the-athonite/ Saint Silouan, 1948the Athonite]'', 1952Stavropegic Monastery of St. Faith PressJohn the Baptist; 1st edition, 1958 1996 (ISBN B0007IXVB0978-0-951-27868-0).*''The Monk [https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/on-prayer/ On Prayer]'', Stavropegic Monastery of Mount AthosSt. John the Baptist, 1998 (ISBN 1-874679-14-2).*[https: Staretz Silouan 1866//essexmonastery.com/bookshop/striving-for-knowledge-of-1938god/ ''Striving for Knowledge of God:'' ''Correspondence with David Balfour''], MowbrayStavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist, 1st edition, 1973 2016 (ISBN 0264646185978-1-909649-06-4). *''[https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/truth-and-life/ Truth and Life],'' Stavropegic Monastery of St. VladimirJohn the Baptist, 1st edition, 2014 (ISBN 978-1-874679-96-7).*''[https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/letters-to-his-family/ Letters to His Family],''s Seminary PressStavropegic Monastery of St. John the Baptist, 2nd edition, 1997 2023 (ISBN 091383615X978-1-909649-01-9).*''Wisdom from Mount Athos[https: The Writings //essexmonastery.com/bookshop/words-of-life/ Words of Life],'' Stavropegic Monastery of Staretz Siloan 1866St. John the Baptist, 2nd edition, 2015 (ISBN 1-874679-16-19389).*''[https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/hearken-my-beloved-brethren/ Hearken, my Beloved Brethren],'' Stavropegic Monastery of St. Vladimir's Seminary PressJohn the Baptist, 2nd edition, 1975 2021(ISBN 0913836176978-1-909649-57-6).*''His [https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/the-mystery-of-christian-life/ The Mystery of Christian Life is Mine],'', Stavropegic Monastery of St. Vladimir's Seminary PressJohn the Baptist, 1st edition, 1977 2022 (ISBN B000B9E2WW978-1-909649-90-3). *''The Cross of Loneliness: The Correspondence of Saint Sophrony and Archpriest Georges Florovsky'' St. VladimirTikhon's Seminary Monastery Press, 1997 2021 (ISBN 0913836338978-1-7361723-1-5).*''We Shall See Him As He IsThe Undistorted Image: Staretz Silouan, 1866–1938'', 19851948, 1952. EssexFaith Press, England1958.*''The Monk of Mount Athos: Stravropegic Monastery of Staretz Silouan 1866–1938'', Mowbray, 1973 ({{ISBN|0-264-64618-5}}). St. John the BaptistVladimir's Seminary Press, 19881997 (ISBN 0-913836-15-X).*''Saint Silouan, the AthoniteWisdom from Mount Athos: The Writings of Staretz Siloan 1866–1938'', St. Vladimir's Seminary Press; reprint edition, 1999 1975 (ISBN 08814119570-913836-17-6).*''On PrayerHis Life is Mine'', St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1977. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1998 1997 (ISBN 0-88141913836-19433-98). 

*[https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/christ-our-way-and-our-life/ ''Christ, Our Way and Our Life'' ] by Archimandrite [[Zacharias (Zacharou)|Zacharias]]. "A Presentation of the theology of Archimandrite Sophrony." (ISBN 1-878997-74-2).

==External Linkslinks==