Athonite Elder Gabriel on coronavirus: prophecies and spiritual guidelines

The beginning of 2021 was marked by a new dangerous infection, for which an adequate cure has not yet been invented. People continue to die, doctors and teachers are seriously ill, and doctors especially suffer. This situation could not but affect the church - the closure of churches during self-isolation may become not a temporary, but a permanent measure if the disease grows at a rapid pace. However, for some holy fathers this state of affairs is not news. This is what the Athonite elder Gabriel writes about this dangerous disease.

Special vision

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Athos Monastery is one of the holiest places on earth. Only men serve there, not allowing women as parishioners. To get answers to spiritual questions, pilgrims submit notes, to which they receive answers. It is believed that there are a lot of elders on Mount Athos, endowed with the gift of foresight, who help many people make the right decisions, so many confessors and ordinary people listen to their words and advice.

Long before the pandemic, Elder Gabriel spoke about the closure of churches and the fall of bishops. Gabriel talked about a vision that Pope Dionysius saw: he saw Satan himself with many bridles that were laid out in different places. The devil said that some are intended for patriarchs and bishops, others for spiritual fathers and abbots. When the elder asked whether they would be for the laity, the evil spirit answered him: “Why are they needed? The laity will already follow their confessors, bishops, and pastors.”

Many associate this vision with the fact that the end times are coming, the closure of churches, which is related to the pandemic. Even bridles are considered by many to be prototypes of masks that ordinary people use to protect themselves and loved ones from coronavirus infection. In addition, Elder Gabriel called not to do any vaccinations, since he does not trust the authorities, government decisions, or doctors. Many associate the prophecy with coronavirus infection and view it as a harbinger of the end times. Some authors believe that the hysteria associated with the pandemic is considered a preparation for the chipping of the population and the beginning of the end times.

The elders of our time living now in 2021 - should we trust their recommendations, can they help in a difficult life situation?

To begin with, a short introduction to reflection. No, I know you support our president, but still, think about it. The two most important elders of Russia, who are considered the most insightful and powerful prayer books (even to the point of allegedly healing from AIDS), by “strange coincidence” (or maybe by the providence of God?) are campaigning for Putin. Anyone interested can find on the Internet an interview with Father Blasius and the sayings of Elder Elijah. Well, Archimandrite Ephraim, it’s time for him to paint the icon of Vova in full height.

Of course, everyone’s views are different, but Putin, while swimming in an ice hole, was baptized incorrectly, and abandoned his wife, and in general he is an extremely controversial person, and his party “United Russia” has been exposed more than once for embezzlement. He is as Orthodox as Obama is Muslim.

Christ doesn’t care what party person he is or what country he was born in. Therefore, these elders are mistaken if they support the president and speak out not for faith, but for Caesar. And since they make such big mistakes, you can’t trust them even in small things.

Adding to the humor is the fact that another Athonite elder, Hieroschemamonk Afanasy, anathematized Putin.

What I mean is that you will go to them to ask for advice, and the advice may not be from God at all, but purely from the personal views of the “ascetic.”

List of active elders for 2021:

Perhaps some of the modern elders really help people. All people are sinners, even a monk may be in delusion, but through him the Lord will help a person? Another thing is that our naive people go to stand in lines for many days for advice... which is not a fact that will benefit their souls.

Freedom has been given to man by God. Not in the sense of drinking and sinning, of course, but in the sense that a number of issues must be decided by the person himself. For example, what is the reason to ask the elder about work? Or about intimate relationships with your husband? Are people really so stupid that they can’t decide for themselves what can harm them and what can’t?

The elder's advice is a win-win situation.
A person, having followed the advice, cannot turn back time and live life according to the second or third option. And a whole cult of personality is created around completely ordinary elderly monks and priests. And they are prone to making mistakes. Yes, there are real ascetics, there are.
You just need to turn your head on more often. Here is Vasya from Moscow, a programmer. Full of money, he comes and asks whether he should go to the village to start farming, or stay in the city. The old man says, go to the village. Vasya goes to the village, he does not have enough strength, after 5 years, completely ruined, he gives up this business. Programming is forgotten, 5 years wasted. He, of course, perceives this as God’s providence, as a test, and thanks the elder for helping him understand his pride and arrogance.

Another option is that Vasya was not blessed to go to the village; he remained in Moscow. He earns more and more, bought an expensive car, fell in love with someone else, and almost got divorced. And again, thank you to the elder for revealing weakness, susceptibility to temptation, strong lust.

So the elders of our time who live today should not be trusted so much.
In 2021, the presence of such prayer books as Seraphim of Sarov or Sergius of Radonezh is very much in question. Spiridon Rabinovich Tags:

The Optina elders are closer than we think

Throughout its history, Optina Pustyn has been a place of refuge for wanderers, hermits, and just people tired of the bustle of the world.
People flocked here for spiritual nourishment from different parts of Rus'. Foreign guests also came to see the humble righteous with their own eyes, to get at least a little touch of real holiness. The Optina elders are closer than we think. During their lifetime they helped those in need, and continue to do so even after their death. Sometimes miracles happen right at the graves, if a person needs what he asks for vitally.

Let us once again remember the holy fathers who lived a difficult and sorrowful life, who acquired humility, wisdom and philanthropy. According to their spiritual exploits, who received from the Heavenly Father the gift of healing, miracles and clairvoyance.

What are eldership and holiness?

Before we remember all the great ascetics by name, let’s talk about what eldership and holiness are. Archbishop John (Maksimovich) gave the following definition of holiness: “Holiness is not just righteousness, for which the righteous are rewarded with the pleasure of bliss in the Kingdom of God, but such a height of righteousness that people are so filled with the grace of God that it flows from them to those who communicates with them. Great is their bliss, which comes from beholding the glory of God. Being filled with love for people, which comes from love for God, they are responsive to people’s needs and their prayers, and are intercessors and representatives for them before God.”

This is precisely what attracted human souls to this amazing paradise of Russia, where eldership, the highest form of achieving spiritual life, was cultivated and flourished. A monastic feat, the goal of which is to achieve dispassion. Only the one who has gone through obedience, tireless heartfelt prayers, humility and silence, has received from God the great grace of contemplating the Creator, speaking with Him, can be called a grace-filled elder.

He leads us, guides us in an invisible war with our passions. This is our spiritual healer who, in simple words, can break down any problem into fragments and talk about the thoughts and actions that led to trouble. With his spiritual eyes he sees everything that is most hidden, sometimes unknown to the person himself. Having reached a special height, he has the gift of healing, insight, and prophecy.

Spiritual ascetics of Optina Pustyn

The spiritual ascetics of Optina Pustyn had different human qualities, but they were united by one thing - service to the Lord, love for their neighbors, and a condescending attitude towards human weakness. And, of course, prayers for everyone who comes, for our long-suffering country, for the whole world. The Optina elders are closer than we think, and many believers who turned to them for help were convinced of this.

The founder of the Optina eldership tradition is Hieromonk Lev (Nagolkin). Many people witnessed the numerous miracles of Father Leo. His disciples were Hieroschemamonk Macarius (Ivanov) and Schema-Archimandrite Moses (Putilov). Father Macarius carried out the feat of spiritual nourishment and taught humility.

Father Moses was distinguished by meekness and wisdom. Under his leadership, many temples and monastery buildings were built and recreated.

Schema-abbot Anthony (Putilov) was Moses' associate and brother. Before his death, he once said: “I would like to console everyone, and if it were possible, I would tear myself to pieces and give a piece to everyone.” He was a humble man of prayer and bore the heavy cross of bodily illnesses.

Father Macarius's successor was Hieroschemamonk Hilarion (Ponomarev). Father brought back to the Church many who had fallen away from it, and went to the Lord during prayer, tightly clutching his rosary in his hands.

Hieroschemamonk Ambrose (Grenkov) is especially famous in Russia and abroad. Under him, the Shamordino convent was founded. He cared for both the sisters of the monastery and all those who suffered. His instructions and letters are widely known to believers.

Hieroschemamonk Anatoly (Zertsalov), together with Father Ambrose, spiritually nourished people; he remained in the hearts of people as an ascetic, a man of prayer and an amazing comforter in any sorrow.

Schema-Archimandrite Isaac (Antimonov) was remembered for his kindness and humility. The doors of a simple and ascetic cell were always open to everyone, the needy and the suffering. He amazingly combined such qualities as management of the monastery, pastoral leadership and strict obedience to the elders.

Hieroschemamonk Joseph (Litovkin) was a disciple of Ambrose and was honored to contemplate the Mother of God. Many saw the elder illuminated by a blessed light.

Schema-Archimandrite Barsanuphius (Plikhanov) was the monastery commander. It was about him that Father Nektary said that in one night the Lord created a great old man from a talented military man. Father Barsanuphius was aware of the deep meaning of all the events that took place and knew how to induce repentance in every person who came to him.

Hieroschemamonk Anatoly II (Potapov) carried out his pastoral service during the difficult days of godlessness and revolutionary turmoil. He convinced his flock to be faithful to the Orthodox faith and the Creator until the end of their days. He had insight and the gift of healing.

Hieroschemamonk Nektariy (Tikhonov) was the last conciliarly elected Optina elder. The creator often hid this gift of miracles and clairvoyance under foolishness. In difficult times of persecution of the Orthodox faith, he continued to nourish people, remaining faithful to the Lord.

Hieromonk Nikon (Belyaev), a disciple of Elder Barsanuphius, died in exile. He selflessly carried out the feat of elder service after the closure of the monastery.

A particularly heavy cross of suffering for the Lord fell to the lot of Archimandrite Isaac II (Bobrakov). He witnessed the fight against God of the new masters of life, when Orthodox shrines were destroyed and holy places were desecrated. He was the last rector of the monastery; he was imprisoned four times on false denunciations of enemies of the Church. He ended his life by execution. The holy relics were buried in a common grave in the forest, near the Simferopol highway.

The great fathers and shepherds of the Orthodox faith, the Optina elders, they are closer than we think. With their righteous life, love for God and people, both during life and now, they are constantly nearby. In any troubles and sorrows, they rush to our aid. Through their holy prayers, we receive all kinds of miracles and benefits from the Lord. Our ailments are healed, our sins are forgiven, our lives are improved.

Holy Heavenly Optina intercessors, pray to God for us!

The power of help of the Optina elders