Father Sergius is a novella by Leo Tolstoy, first published in 1891. It tells the story of a Russian Orthodox monk, Father Sergius, who is renowned for his piety and holiness. He is admired by the people of his village, and is sought out for spiritual guidance. However, Father Sergius is not content with his life of piety and holiness. He is tempted by the world and its pleasures, and eventually succumbs to his desires. He falls in love with a young woman, and the two of them have a child together. Father Sergius is then faced with a difficult decision: to remain in the monastery and continue his life of piety, or to leave and live with the woman he loves. He chooses the latter, and is eventually excommunicated from the church. The novella follows Father Sergius as he struggles to reconcile his faith with his newfound love. He is forced to confront his own inner demons, and ultimately learns to accept himself and his choices.
By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1898 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Historical Fiction · 6 chapters