It is year 1900 in Pre-Revolutionary Russia and Deacon Olympius begins to take interest in secular literature. When he stumbles upon a book by Tolstoy, he is humbled and inspired to lead a just life. Based on a story by Aleksandr Kuprin.
merchant
gentleman in the church
church chorister
deacon’s wife
lady donating to the poor (uncredited)
voiceover
Deacon Olympius
student
the Dean
liberal
wood cutter
townswoman