Atanasije–A Life Story

In this book, we found many road signs that paint a spiritually vivid path of Bishop Atanasije of Herzegovina and numerous details that outline his portrait. What this spiritual figure means for modern man is not easy to summarize and describe in brief. Different angles of view and radiation of this character require different angles of view and, probably, a different measurement standard. Hence the need for a book that would serve as a guide through his travels. This biography covers the most important stages of Bishop Atanasije’s life (1938–2021). Divided into ten chapters, this biography is filled with an abundance of quotes from its hero, with accompanying comments from the book's author, which should only serve as a bridge between life images, events, and episodes.

Bishop Maxim (Vasiljevic) was elected Bishop of Los Angeles and the Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in 2006. He graduated from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Belgrade, in 1993. He completed his Master of Theology at the University of Athens in 1996, and then three years later, in 1999, at the same university, he defended his doctorate in the field of Dogmatics and Patristics. He worked for one year on his post-doctorate in Paris and the Sorbonne in 2003-04, in the field of Byzantine History and Hagiography. During this time, he also delved in the theory and practical application of painting at the French Academy of Fine Arts in Paris. Bishop Maxim is a professor of Patristics and was teaching Christian Anthropology, Byzantine Philosophy, Canon Law, and Dogmatics at various universities and schools. He speaks Greek, French, Russian, and English. He was the editor of “Theology” – Journal of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Belgrade. He also leads the Diocesan school of iconography and teaches at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston. Bishop Maxim’s scholarly books, studies, and articles include essays on Holy Fathers and Saints; he has also written on the hagiographical and iconographical themes.