Popes & the Vatican, Orthodoxy, Religion & Spirituality 

"The Russian Church and the Papacy" is a powerful defense of the papacy from Vladimir Soloviev, a Russian Orthodox theologian who was condemned by his church for his efforts at Christian unity. Pope John Paul II calls the late theologian Soloviev (1853-1900) one of the modern era's great "witnesses of the faith and illustrious Christian thinkers." Like the Holy Father, Soloviev was committed to the cause of Christian unity, and spent many years attempting to convince his Orthodox brethren to reunite with Rome under the pope. He even had an audience with Pope Leo XIII in 1888 and received a papal benediction in recognition of his efforts. However, Soloviev was condemned by his own Russian Orthodox church for his efforts and was ordered by the Russian government to cease all public activities. It was then that he wrote his great work, "Russia and the Universal Church," which combined a brilliant defense of the papacy with a plea for reunification of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Unfortunately, the book has been out of print for decades. "The Russian Church and the Papacy" is an abridgment of Soloviev's classic work, edited by Fr. Ray Ryland. It is a fascinating combination of history, philosophy, and apologetics. When you put down your copy, you'll have a better, deeper understanding of why Christ instituted the papacy--and you'll be able to defend the institution like never before. - from Amzon