This volume presents methodological aspects of writing ecclesiastical biographies as well as their relevancy to a broad spectrum of disciplines besides Church history, such as general history, Slavic studies and history of literature. Spiritual biographies spanning in time from Augustine to modern times, and in space from Sweden to South Africa, are discussed from both existential and theological perspectives. The use of historical sources, the biographer’s role and the reader’s use of the biography are also treated in the 22 contributions.