Nikolai Gogol was one of the most prominent Russian writers of the 19th century. He was a leading voice of the school of Russian literary realism, and is well known for his short stories, satires, and plays. He was also a deeply religious man, who dedicated one of his last works to the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church.

This book provides a commentary on the Divine Liturgy, that is at the same time both mystical and practical. Drawing from the early Church Fathers and his own experience, Gogol explains the sublime mystery of the Orthodox divine services, while at the same time providing a window into his own spiritual life.