The contents were collected and recorded in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1909. This translated version was published in 1978.
The Book of Life, preserved until 1909, orally, was never recorded by the Doukhobors themselves because they treat the oral version with much greater respect than they do a published or a written book. The Doukhobors say: ‘Record in heart, proclaim the word.’ They add: ‘It is nothing unusual to write down on paper but it is important to penetrate one’s heart with truth.’
The book is divided into the following sections:
Questions and Answers
Dogmatic Psalms
Psalms Concerning Life After Death, and the Last Judgment
Psalms of Alleviation
Didactic Psalms
Psalms of Supplication
Psalms of Gratitude
Psalms of Eulogy
Psalms Concerning Events of the Gospel
Diverse Psalms
Dreams of the Holy Mother of God
Sayings, Exhortations, Festive Occasions, Remembrances, and So on
Hymns, Greetings
