The Rock of Faith, a.k.a. The Stone of Faith (Russian: Камень веры) is a major anti-Protestant treatise written by archbishop Stefan Yavorsky in 1713–1715.[1] Its full title The Stone of faith: for the sons of the holy Orthodox Church — for affirmation and spiritual creation; for those who stumble over a block of stumbling and temptation — for getting up and correcting, Church Slavic; Old Slavonic; Church Slavonic; Old Bulgarian; Old Church Slavonic: Камєнь вѣры: православнымъ цєрквы святыѧ сыномъ на утвєрждєнїє и духовноє созиданїє. Прєтыкающымсѧ жє ω камєнь прєтыканїѧ и соблазна. На востанїє и исправленїє. Later it was also published under the title The Stone of Faith of the Orthodox Catholic Eastern Church, Russian: Камень веры православно-кафолическия восточныя Церкви...[1]
Peter the Great forbade its publication: at these times Russia needed to attract foreigners, and such work would be detrimental to this. It was published in 1728 under Peter II.[2]
An anonymous pamphlet that has eventually become known in historical works under the title Hammer on the Rock of Faith (Молоток на „Камень веры“, Molotok na kamen very), a rebuttal of Yavorsky's treatise, appeared between 1732 and 1734.[3]
The Rock of Faith consists of twelve chapters that cover the following issues: the icons; the cross; the relics; the Eucharist; prayersto the saints; prayers for the departed; tradition; liturgy; fasting; good works; and punishment of heretics.[1]