Chapter 6, Abram Yelov Summary and Analysis

Upon returning from Echmiadzin, Gurdjieff meets Abram Yelov in Tiflis while researching ancient literature. Yelov sells books of all sorts and knows where to find just about any work that attracts Gurdjieff. Through a mutual interest in books and philosophical questions, the two become friends.

Gurdjieff at first buys books from Yelov, and then goes to exchange them. The two spend many hours going through stacks of books around the town and discussing philosophy. Gurdjieff learns that Yelov is of the Aisor people, most of whom have a reputation as rogues. Some become self-ordained priests, which was an easy thing to do at that time, and sell phony relics to the visitors at religious shrines. From this practice the Aisor priests become known as steelers of crosses, which has special meaning regarding the goods they sell: "Among...