With a new subject and scriptural index, as well as a short abstract on Nikolai Gogol as a religious personality, this reedited commentary on the Divine Liturgy the primary public worship service of the Orthodox Church is as practical as it is mystical. Gogol, one of the most prominent Russian writers of the 19th century, draws from the early Church Fathers and his own experience to explain the sublime mystery of the Orthodox divine services. In doing so, he also provides a fascinating look into his own religious character and profound liturgical spirituality. AUTHOR: Nikolai Gogol was one of the leading figures in 19th-century Russian literature and the founder of critical realism. He is best known for his satirical masterpiece Dead Souls and humorous plays and short stories such as The Government Inspector and The Overcoat. 1 b/w illustration