The Grand Inquisitor

The Grand Inquisitor is a novel written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and first published in 1879.

The story is a chapter from the novel The Brothers Karamazov that has a level of depth and thoughtfulness that has been published as a stand-alone short novel.

Ivan Karamazov tells his brother Alyosha the story of Jesus, who appears in 16th century Seville during the time of the Holy Inquisition. Although both the people and the old cardinal recognize him, the Grand Inquisitor locks him in a dungeon and gives him a monologue about his lack of right to disturb the work of the Church with a new apparition.

It is a thought-provoking story about freedom and human nature. It is almost a poem of hope in humanity itself. That is why it has become one of the most famous passages in modern literature. It is also useful as an introduction to the later reading of The Brothers Karamazov.

"True, again, we have all heard of miracles being wrought ever since the 'age of miracles' passed away to return no more. We had, and still have, our saints credited with performing the most miraculous cures; and, if we can believe their biographers, there have been those among them who have been personally visited by the Queen of Heaven".

This edition of The Grand Inquisitor is based on H.P. Blavatsky's translation.