Optina Pustyn is one of the main monasteries in Russia. What is the best way to organize a pilgrimage trip to this monastery? Everyone chooses according to their capabilities and situation. Someone comes for a few hours on a tour to “get to know each other.” Someone stays overnight - and then a unique opportunity arises in Optina to go to confession and maybe receive communion. And someone comes here for a few days and then, perhaps, the Spirit of Optina will reveal itself to the person more fully and he will even remain in it forever - first, as a simple worker, then as a novice, then as a monk...
We came to Optina Pustyn for several days, like ordinary pilgrims, without a group. And we want to talk about the main organizational and other issues that you may encounter if you are going to this monastery for the first time - without knowing anything about its structure.
So, the most important thing you need to know when going to Optina.
Pilgrimage - how is it different from tourism?
On the one hand, outwardly and in some of their forms, tourism and pilgrimage may be indistinguishable. In both places, people travel many kilometers from home - by train, car, bus. Some alone, some with a group. Some take a guide, many take photographs as a souvenir... However, the pilgrimage has a different essence, message and goals with which a person goes to the same Optina Pustyn.
Tourism is entertainment. The tourist looks at the world “from top to bottom”. It is not he who is waiting for something and hoping for something, but he “should” be allowed to enjoy, admire, take “everything” from the journey.
Pilgrimage is reverence and the thirst of the soul to come into contact with the shrine. From here, some things on the trip become either less important or even lose their meaning. And other issues, on the contrary, come to the fore. For example, when making a pilgrimage to a monastery, housing is not so important and many are ready to put up with truly Spartan conditions - just to get in return the opportunity to attend real monastic services or have the opportunity to work in a monastery - at least for a few days, at least a little to get away from the bustle of the world and to be closer to the saints and God.
Optina Pustyn is one of the main places of Orthodox pilgrimage in Russia.
What are the additional benefits of taking a taxi?
If you are planning to perform the Sacrament of Baptism, then prepare for your trip in advance. Keep in mind that you need to arrive at the monastery the night before at 18:00 for a public conversation. The next morning, get ready to serve the Divine Liturgy, and at 13:00 - receive the rite of Baptism.
For trips to shrines with the whole family, we recommend ordering Hyundai Starex, Mercedes Vito or Chevrolet Orlando minivans. A 5-star taxi will comfortably accommodate your loved ones and guests. To transport a child, the driver installs a seat. The minivans have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and comfortable armchairs. On the way back, you can look at the CDs you purchased at the monastery.
To enhance the impressions of your trip, be sure to turn to the village of Shamordino and stop at the Kazan St. Ambrose Women's Hermitage. A 5-star taxi driver will be sure to wait while you admire the magnificent view of the Serena River and the building of the Sherwood monastery.
Optina Pustyn - what is it famous for?
Before the revolution, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Optina Monastery was an oasis of eldership. The Monk Ambrose of Optina is the most famous saint from this monastery: people flocked to him from all over the country - from young to old, from poor to rich. But not only to him. To date, besides him, thirteen more Optina saints have been canonized - pilgrims also gathered to them, and not only to them, but to many other hieromonks for confession - in order to receive at least a drop of monastic joy and wisdom.
Then there was the USSR, the monastery was closed. It was returned to the Church in the late 80s of the last century. Monastic life has resumed at the monastery, which is conducted here according to the strictest rules.
Therefore, in essence, nothing has changed since the 19th century. People also come to Optina to visit the great elder Ambrose (his relics), the relics of other elders, and with the goal of getting closer to monastic life - even if just by attending long monastic services for a little while.
How to get to Optina Pustyn
Another reason why Optina is so popular among tourists is that the monastery is relatively easy to get to. This is the Kaluga region, several hours by bus from Moscow.
To be more precise: the Optina Monastery is located a few kilometers from the city of Kozelsk. Buses run to Kozelsk several times a day, both from Kaluga itself and from Moscow and other cities.
From Kozelsk itself to the monastery, minibuses depart every hour. If you are, say, a Muscovite, then at 8 am you left the house, and at the evening service you were already in the monastery!
From Moscow to Optina Pustyn by bus:
Travel time is 5–6 hours. Buses depart from Teply Stan bus station (3 minutes walk from Teply Stan metro station). You need buses Moscow-Kozelsk or Moscow-Sosensky (buses on this route go directly to Optina). The exact schedule and ticket prices can be found here.
From Moscow to Optina by train:
Get to Kaluga from Kievsky station, and then take a bus to Kozelsk.
From Moscow to Optina by car:
Kiev highway. And then the “navigator” will tell you better
