About the book: 2004 / In this volume of the Collected Works of S.S. Averintsev included the collection “The Pearl of Great Price,” significantly expanded in comparison with its previous editions in Moscow in 1994 and 1987. (titled “From the shores of the Bosphorus to the shores of the Euphrates”). The collection includes translations of the best examples of Christian writing of the Syrians, Copts and Romans (Byzantines) of the first millennium AD. The presented collection of texts in prose and verse is distinguished by great thematic and genre diversity: the works of such illustrious Fathers of the Church as St. Ephraim the Syrian, saint. Gregory the Theologian, Rev. John of Damascus, Rev. Simeon the New Theologian, Rev. Isaac the Syrian (Nineveh), Rev. Theodore the Studite; statements of hermits included in the famous collections “Lavsaik”, “Spiritual Meadow” and “Sayings of the Desert Fathers”; samples of liturgical poetry; Christian apocrypha and Gnostic writings. Most of the proposed translations first saw the light of day as part of this collection. The translations are accompanied by detailed comments of a historical, philological and theological nature. The book opens up new horizons in understanding the formation of Christian culture and is indispensable for everyone interested in Christianity, religion, and culture.