The Way of Martha and the Way of Mary

"The Way of Martha and the Way of Mary" by Stephen Graham is a book that looks at Russian identity through the lens of the biblical sisters Martha and Mary. Graham uses these figures to think about the different ways people approach faith: through action and service (like Martha) or through quiet reflection (like Mary). The story follows Graham’s travels in Russia, where he thinks about the country's religious traditions and how they shape its people. He sees Russia as a place where these two different ways of faith meet, and he tries to understand how they fit together. Through his journey, Graham also explores his own beliefs and how they connect to these ideas, especially during a time when Russia was going through big changes.