Extracted from Arthur Penrhyn Stanley’s Lectures on the History of the Eastern Church, this booklet focuses on the Russian Church. After establishing the importance of this Eastern Church, Stanley delves into its history dividing it into significant periods. The legendary conversion of Russia is considered before the historical account is rendered. Included along the way are notes on the veneration of icon and other noteworthy traits of the institution. A second lecture in this set concentrates on the Russian Church during the Middle Ages, particularly the Czar, the Metropolitans, and the Monastic Orders. The Patriarch Nicon is given special attention from his physical appearance to his personal history. Seeing Peter the Great as a dividing line for the modern church in Russia, this monarch is given significant attention as well, including the reforms that he instated in the church.

Arthur Penrhyn Stanley (1815-1881) was educated at Oxford and became a clergyman in the Church of England. He was a tutor then Regius Professor at Oxford and went on to become the Dean of Westminster. He wrote several books during his career.