Published four years ago, the first volume of "Ascetics in the World" was released without great expectations, aiming to preserve these genuine Christian models. However, against all expectations, it was received with much love and interest. The persistent demand for the Second Volume hastened its publication. What interest did readers find in these simple and humble souls of the Ascetics in the world?

It seems they found in their faces living models of virtue to emulate, which are rare in our days. They found comfort and consolation in their own sufferings, knowing their sorrowful lives. [...]

This volume contains twenty-four biographies of Ascetics in the world. Among them, one is a Bishop, one a Hieromonk, five married Priests, two monks who lived in the world and at the end of their lives were deemed worthy to take the Angelic Schema, and fifteen laypeople (men and women). They are arranged chronologically based on the year of their repose.

What was written in the preface of the first volume applies to those biographed here as well. Each lived in a different era, in a different place, and under unique conditions. Each followed a distinct path, but they all had one common goal: to keep God's commandments and unite with God. One admires their patience, self-denial, and the strength they had in prayer to endure all difficulties. Above all, one admires the simplicity with which they accepted grace and supernatural events, uncuriously and humbly, without imagining they were something special. Out of their love for God, they sacrificed for His image, humanity, all their precious material and spiritual possessions, and helped many. And now they help us with their example and their prayers. Eternal be their memory, and with their blessing, may we be deemed worthy to follow them. Amen.

(from the book's preface)