Eine Ikone der Russischen Emigration: Maria Skobtsova
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Abstract
Described as a “rebellious nun”, “precious pearl”, “martyr”, “brilliant theologian”
and “saint of the open door”, Maria Skobtsova (born Elizaveta Yurievna Pilenko,
1891–1945) was a fascinating personality of the first half of the 20th century. As a
theologian, poet, essayist, social and political activist and founder of the “Orthodox
Action”, she was tirelessly committed for Russian emigrants in Paris in the inter-war
time and for persecuted Jews in occupied France. Her life ended in Ravensbrück
concentration camp in 1945. Well-connected with theologians and philosophers
of the Russian emigration, Maria Skobtsova developed an original thinking about
love of neighbor, the mysticism of human communion and the monastic vocation.
This article examines the significance of death and sacrifice for Skobtsova’s religious
experience and looks at the stages of her life from the perspectives of fragility,
suffering and the longing for a community of love. Amid intense conflicts and
moral dilemmas, was she an “icon” embracing both continuity and discontinuity, a
figure of fire breaking up ossified patterns?
and “saint of the open door”, Maria Skobtsova (born Elizaveta Yurievna Pilenko,
1891–1945) was a fascinating personality of the first half of the 20th century. As a
theologian, poet, essayist, social and political activist and founder of the “Orthodox
Action”, she was tirelessly committed for Russian emigrants in Paris in the inter-war
time and for persecuted Jews in occupied France. Her life ended in Ravensbrück
concentration camp in 1945. Well-connected with theologians and philosophers
of the Russian emigration, Maria Skobtsova developed an original thinking about
love of neighbor, the mysticism of human communion and the monastic vocation.
This article examines the significance of death and sacrifice for Skobtsova’s religious
experience and looks at the stages of her life from the perspectives of fragility,
suffering and the longing for a community of love. Amid intense conflicts and
moral dilemmas, was she an “icon” embracing both continuity and discontinuity, a
figure of fire breaking up ossified patterns?
Date Issued
2025-04-14
Publication Type
Book Section
Subjects
Maria Skobtsova
•
Russian emigration
•
biography
Language(s)
de
Editor(s)
Huian, Georgiana | |
Moser, Erika | |
Bürgin, Martin |
Publisher
Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
ISBN
978-3-666-50064-0
Related Publication(s)
Access(Rights)
open.access