A particularly revered icon of our Temple is the Sacred Image with particles of the relics of the 12 Holy Optina Elders.
Our heart is filled with inexplicable joy, and from the abundance of the heart our lips speak (Luke 6:45) about the greatness of spiritual achievement, the holiness of life and divine glory, the evangelical simplicity and active sacrificial love of the elders of the Optina monastery, which extended to all who came to them in sorrow and joy for help and advice.
For a whole century, Optina was a source of spiritual enlightenment for the entire Russian society: from unlearned simpletons to philosophers and writers, from peasants to royalty, from monastics to church hierarchs.
For all those who came here, the monastery was a healing spring that healed spiritual wounds; every pilgrim left here enlightened and transformed, strengthened spiritually, having written on the tablets of his heart for the rest of his life the evangelical love and holiness of the life of the Optina monks. Truly a marvelous feat of their lives, it is inscribed in the chronicle of Russian holiness.
In the glorification of... the saints of God, we see a special blessing from God to us, the action of divine grace that strengthens every person and manifests itself visibly through its chosen vessels on earth. We see evidence of an uninterrupted connection of times, which manifests itself through the spiritual experience of the elders of Optina Hermitage.
Hieroschemamonk Lev (Nagolkin) (1768—1841)
The first founder and inspirer of the Optina eldership. A man of unshakable faith, extraordinary courage, firmness and energy.
The entire life of this elder, spent in selfless service to God and his neighbors, was an expression of evangelical love. Through his exploits, unceasing prayer and God-imitating humility, he acquired the abundant gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The miracles performed by the elder were countless: crowds of the destitute flocked to him.
Disciple and companion of Elder Leo. He lived as an elder in the Optina Hermitage at the same time as the Monk Leo, and after his death, until his death, he carried out the great and holy feat of caring for the elderly.
The main virtue that he especially cultivated in people was humility, considering it the foundation of Christian life. “If there is humility, everything is there, if there is no humility, there is nothing,” said the monk.
The name of Elder Macarius is associated with the beginning of the publication of patristic works in the monastery, which united the best spiritual and intellectual forces of Russia around the monastery.
A meek elder abbot. He showed an amazing example of combining strict asceticism, humility and non-covetousness with wise management of the monastery and extensive charitable activities.
It was thanks to his boundless mercy and compassion for the poor that the monastery gave shelter to many wanderers. Under Schema-Archimandrite Moses, old temples and monastery buildings were recreated and new ones were built.
Optina Pustyn owes its visible flourishing and spiritual revival to the wise leadership of Elder Moses.
Brother and companion of Schema-Archimandrite Moses, a humble ascetic and man of prayer, who patiently and courageously bore the cross of bodily illness throughout his entire life. He contributed in every possible way to the work of eldership in the monastery, which he led for 14 years.
The venerable elder's written instructions are a marvelous fruit of his fatherly love and gift of the teaching word. Before his death, he said: “I would like to console everyone, and if it were possible, I would tear myself to pieces and give a piece to everyone.”
Disciple and successor of Elder Macarius. Being a zealous defender and preacher of the Orthodox faith, he managed to return to the fold of the Orthodox Church many who were lost and had fallen away from the Orthodox faith.
“Only from the moment we recognized him,” the elder’s spiritual child recalls, “we learned what peace of mind is, what peace of mind is...” The elder monastery leader died in prayer, with a rosary in his hands.
A great elder and ascetic of the Russian land, whose holiness and godly life God witnessed with many miracles, and the Orthodox believing people with sincere love, veneration and reverent appeal to him in prayer.
A disciple of elders Leonid and Macarius, he inherited from them the grace-filled gift of eldership and remained in selfless service to people for more than 30 years. He founded the Shamordino convent, ministered to many monasteries, his letters and instructions are a source of spiritual wisdom for those seeking salvation. The monk had a high, clear mind and a loving heart.
Extraordinarily compassionate and gifted with grace, he was especially distinguished by his Christian love.
The hermitage leader and elder, instructed in the spiritual life not only the monks of the Optina Monastery, but also the nuns of the Shamordino convent and other monasteries.
Being an ardent prayer book and ascetic, he was a sensitive father and a patient teacher for everyone who came to him, always sharing the treasure of wisdom, faith and special spiritual joy. Elder Anatoly had an amazing gift of consolation. Rev.
Ambrose said that he was given such prayer and grace as is given to one in a thousand.
The ever-memorable abbot of the Optina Hermitage, who combined firm management of the monastery and the subtle art of pastoral leadership with humble obedience to the great Optina elders and high asceticism.
Schema-Archimandrite Isaac’s life’s work was to preserve and confirm in the monastery the spiritual covenants of the elders. He knew no peace - the doors of his cell were open to the brotherhood and the poor. In food, and in clothing, and in the decoration of the cell, he observed the complete simplicity of the ancient ascetics.
The disciple and spiritual successor of the Monk Ambrose, who showed the image of great humility, gentleness, and unceasing heartfelt prayer, the elder was more than once honored with the appearance of the Mother of God.
According to the recollections of contemporaries, many, even during the life of Hieroschemamonk Joseph, saw him illuminated by the grace-filled divine light. Rev. Joseph was a man of deep inner activity, who always maintained heartfelt silence and unceasing prayer.
The hermitage leader, about whom Elder Nektarios said that the grace of God in one night created a great old man from a brilliant military man. Without sparing life itself, he fulfilled his pastoral duty in the Russo-Japanese War.
The elder had extraordinary insight, the inner meaning of the events that took place was revealed to him, he saw the hiddenness of the heart of the person who came to him, lovingly awakening repentance in him.
Nicknamed by the people as a comforter, he was endowed by the Lord with great grace-filled gifts of love and consolation for the suffering, insight and healing.
Humbly carrying out his pastoral service in the difficult days of revolutionary turmoil and godlessness, the elder affirmed his spiritual children in their determination to be faithful to the holy Orthodox faith even to death.
The last conciliarly elected Optina elder, who, through the feat of unceasing prayer and humility, acquired the greatest gifts of miracles and clairvoyance, often hiding them under the guise of foolishness.
During the days of persecution of the Church, while he himself was in exile for confessing his faith, he tirelessly cared for the believers. Both ordinary laymen and great Saints turned to him for advice and prayerful help.
The closest disciple of Elder Barsanuphius, an ardent man of prayer and a loving shepherd, who selflessly performed the elder ministry after the closure of the Optina Hermitage, suffered torment from the atheists and died in exile as a confessor.
The last abbot of the Optina Hermitage, who experienced the full brunt of the destruction and desecration of the holy monastery.
Carrying his cross of abbot service during the years of trials and tribulations, he was filled with indestructible faith, courage and all-forgiving love. He was imprisoned four times.
Shot on January 8, 1938 and buried in a mass grave in the forest at the 162nd kilometer of the Simfiropol highway.
Source: https://ynical.org/2010-05-13-14-02-47/13-12.html
There is probably no person in Russia who has not heard about Optina Pustyn. Optina is a very famous monastery, spiritual and pilgrimage center. Over the several centuries of its existence, this holy monastery raised and gave to the world fourteen lights, the great Optina elders. Also N.V.
Gogol wrote about the Optina elders only in an excellent form; he noted their radiance, love for all living things, simplicity, affection, and hard work.
The special atmosphere of the Optina Hermitage and the blessed cover of the Mother of God over it have always contributed to the fact that people from all over Russia came to the monastery to the elders for spiritual guidance, help, advice, and prayerful support.
The monastery is also famous for its publishing business: spiritual literature published in Optina is distributed throughout the world and brings spiritual joy to Orthodox Christians. And the morning prayer of the Optina elders is included in the obligatory prayer rule, and is read daily by millions of Orthodox Russians.
Strong Orthodox prayer of the Optina elders for peace of mind
The gift of prayer of the Optina elders helped them gain popular love even during their lifetime, and their ability to see the human soul gave them the opportunity to find the right words for each person, to encourage, console, and suggest what to do in a given life situation.
The prayer of the Optina elders, written in the 19th century, is permeated with the same bright spirit. By reading just this one prayer in the morning, a person sanctifies the coming day, protects himself from many demonic attacks, and tunes his soul to godly deeds.
It is recommended to read the prayer of the Optina elders when there is mental confusion, sorrow, despondency, when faith in God becomes impoverished.
Morning prayer of the Optina elders in Russian
The big advantage of the text of the prayer of the Optina elders is that it is written in Russian.
After all, very often the Church Slavonic language, complex and incomprehensible to the average person, becomes a barrier between him and sincere, attentive prayer.
The Optina prayer, read every morning, will help you protect yourself from stress, easily endure all the hardships of the working day, and be at peace with your neighbors.
Text of the Orthodox prayer of the Optina elders at the beginning of each day
Lord, let me meet with peace of mind everything that the coming day will bring me. Let me completely surrender to Your holy will. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in everything. Whatever news I receive during the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and a firm conviction that everything is Your holy will.
In all my words and deeds, guide my thoughts and feelings. In all unforeseen cases, do not let me forget that everything was sent down by You. Teach me to act directly and wisely with each member of my family, without confusing or upsetting anyone. Lord, give me strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events during the day.
Guide my will and teach me to pray, believe, hope, endure, forgive and love. Amen.
Text of the prayer of St. Anthony of Optina About the beginning of any business
God, come to my help, Lord, strive for my help.
Rule, Lord, everything I do, read and write, everything I think, speak and understand, for the glory of Your Holy Name, so that all my work may begin from You and end in You.
Grant to me, O God, that I may anger Thee, my Creator, neither by word, nor by deed, nor by thought, but may all my deeds, advice and thoughts be for the glory of Thy Most Holy Name.
God, come to my help, Lord, strive for my help.
The best prayer of the Optina Elders for the family
In the hands of great mercy, O my God, I entrust: my soul and much-painful body, the husband given to me from You, and all my beloved children.
Thou shalt be our Helper and Patron throughout our life, in our exodus and at death, in joy and sorrow, in happiness and misfortune, in illness and health, in life and death, in everything may Thy holy will be with us, as on heaven and earth. Amen.
Prayer of the Optina Elders for their enemies
Forgive those who hate and offend us, Thy servants (names), O Lord, Lover of Mankind: for they do not know what they are doing, and warm their hearts to love us, the unworthy.
The miraculous prayer of St. Macarius of Optina during carnal warfare
O Mother of the Lord my Creator, You are the root of virginity and the unfading color of purity. Oh, Mother of God!
Help me, the one who is weak with carnal passion and painful, for one is Thine and with Thee is the intercession of Thy Son and God. Amen.
Independent prayer of St. Joseph of Optina During the invasion of thoughts
Lord Jesus Christ, drive away from me all inappropriate thoughts! Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak... For You are my God, support my mind, so that unclean thoughts do not overcome it, but in You, my Creator, let it delight, for Your Name is great for those who love You.
Christian prayer of St. Nikon of Optina Confessor during grief
Glory to Thee, my God, for the sorrow sent to me, I now accept what is worthy of my deeds. Remember me when you come into Your Kingdom, and may all Your will be one, good and perfect.
Strong prayer of St. Anatoly of Optina From the Antichrist
Deliver me, O Lord, from the seduction of the god-hating, evil, cunning Antichrist of the coming, and hide me from his snares in the hidden desert of Your salvation.
Grant me, Lord, the strength and courage to firmly confess Your Holy Name, so that I will not retreat from fear for the sake of the devil, and may not deny You, my Savior and Redeemer, from Your holy Church. But grant me, O Lord, day and night weeping and tears for my sins and have mercy on me, O Lord, at the hour of Your Last Judgment. Amen.
Protective prayer of the Optina Elders from the Antichrist
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, who is coming to judge the living and the dead, have mercy on us sinners, forgive the fall of our entire lives and through their own destinies hide us from the face of the Antichrist in the hidden desert of Your salvation. Amen.
Orthodox prayer of the Optina Elders for the unbaptized, those who died without repentance and suicides
Seek, O Lord, the lost soul of Your servant (name): if it is possible, have mercy. Your destinies are unsearchable. Do not make this my prayer a sin, but Thy holy will be done.
Source: https://filosofia.ru/v-chem-pomogaet-svyataya-molitva-optinskix-starcev/
Prayer of the Optina Elders complete pictures
Complete collection and description: the prayer of the Optina elders, complete with pictures for the spiritual life of a believer.
Prayer of the Optina Elders
Brief prayer of the Optina elders
Complete prayer of the Optina elders
Lord, let me completely surrender to Your holy will.
Lord, at every hour of this day, instruct and support me in everything.
Lord, no matter what news I receive during this day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and with the firm conviction that everything is Your holy will,
Lord, reveal to me Your holy will for me and those around me.
Lord, guide my thoughts and feelings in all my words and thoughts.
Lord, in all unforeseen cases, do not let me forget that everything was sent down by You.
Lord, give me strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events during the day.
Lord, You yourself guide my will and teach me to pray, hope, believe, love, endure and forgive.
Lord, do not leave me to the mercy of my enemies, but for the sake of Your holy name, lead and rule me.
Lord, enlighten my mind and my heart to understand Your eternal and unchangeable laws that govern the world, so that I, Your sinful servant, can correctly serve You and my neighbors.
Lord, I thank You for everything that will happen to me, for I firmly believe that all things work together for good to those who love You.
Lord, bless all my exits and entries, deeds, words and thoughts, deign me to always joyfully glorify, sing and bless You, for You are blessed forever and ever.
Metochion of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Pokrovskoye
Moscow diocese (Moscow), Nikolskoe deanery
- Divine service on the name day of our Rector.
- 16 December 2017
- Message of the Consecrated Council of Bishops to the clergy, monastics and all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church
- 02 December 2017
Prayer of the Optina Elders (full text)
Lord, let me meet with peace of mind everything that the coming day will bring me. Let me completely surrender to Your holy will. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in everything. Whatever news I receive during the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and a firm conviction that everything is Your holy will.
Lord, reveal to me Your holy will for me and those around me.
In all my words and thoughts, guide my thoughts and feelings. In all unforeseen cases, do not let me forget that everything was sent down by You.
Lord, teach me to correctly, simply, wisely treat everyone at home and those around me, elders, equals, juniors, so that I do not upset anyone, but contribute to the good of everyone.
Lord, give me strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events during it.
Lord, guide my will yourself and teach me to repent, pray, believe, endure, forgive, rejoice, love and give thanks.
Lord, do not leave me to the mercy of my enemies, but for the sake of Your holy name, lead and rule me.
Lord, enlighten my mind and my heart to understand Your eternal and unchangeable laws that govern the world, so that I, Your sinful servant, can correctly serve You and my neighbors.
Lord, I thank You for everything that will happen to me, for I firmly believe that all things work together for good to those who love You.
Lord, bless all my exits and entries, deeds, words and thoughts, deign me to always joyfully glorify, sing and bless You, for You are blessed forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer of the Optina Elders
“Lord, let me meet with peace of mind everything that this day will bring me. Let me completely surrender to Your holy will. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in everything.
Whatever news I receive during the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and a firm conviction that everything is Your holy will!
In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings! In all unforeseen cases, do not let us forget that everything was sent down by You!
Teach me to act directly and wisely with each member of my family, without upsetting anyone, without embarrassing anyone!
Lord, give me the strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events during it! Guide my will and teach me to pray, hope, believe, love, endure and forgive!
Full version of the prayer of the Optina Elders
“Lord, let me meet with peace of mind everything that the coming day will bring me.
Lord, let me completely surrender to Your holy will.
Lord, at every hour of this day, instruct and support me in everything.
Lord, no matter what news I receive during this day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and a firm conviction that everything is Your holy will.
Lord, in all my words and thoughts, Himself guide my thoughts and feelings.
Lord, teach me to correctly, simply, and rationally treat everyone at home and those around me, elders, equals and juniors, so that I do not upset anyone, but contribute to the good of everyone.
Lord, You yourself guide my will and teach me to pray, hope, believe, love, endure and forgive.
Lord, enlighten my mind and my heart to understand Your eternal and unchangeable laws that govern the world, so that I, Your sinful servant, can correctly serve You and my neighbors.
Lord, bless all my exits and entries, deeds, words and thoughts, deign me to always joyfully glorify, sing and bless You, for You are blessed forever and ever.
This amazing prayer, especially suitable for our time, was created by the elders of the Optina Monastery - a monastery (now revived) near the city of Kozelsk, Kaluga region, where in the 19th and early 20th centuries the elders of the monastery, spiritual ascetics, now glorified as saints, went to for guidance, advice and Literally all of Russia flocked in for consolation. Written in simple and understandable language, this prayer expresses with particular depth our faith, hope and love for God, our hope in His help in everyday needs and therefore, not being part of any prayer rule, is nevertheless very suitable for everyday reading.
Source: https://xn—-8sbfxoeboc6b7i.xn--p1ai/molitva-optinskih-startsev-polnaya-kartinki/
Cathedral of the Venerable Optina Elders
On October 24, the Orthodox Church established a celebration in honor of the celebration of the Council of pious religious figures - the Optina Elders. The cathedral consists of 14 clergy, and some of them are very popular throughout the world, as they regularly went on preaching missions to other countries.
Annual veneration of the memory of the Venerable Optina Elders
For example, one cannot help but highlight Hegumen Anthony or Hieromonk Nikon - they dedicated their entire lives to serving the Lord God, and also helped people in need.
Today, many people go to church to pay tribute and honor to the elders, as well as to take part in a solemn service in their honor.
If you are unable to go to church for service today, it is recommended to pray at home, in front of the icon of the saints.
Composition of the Cathedral of Optina Elders
Of the 14 saints, the first to be highlighted is Hieromonk Leo, who is at the top of the list. The man lived from mid-1788 until 1841 inclusive. Hieromonk Leo is revered for his preaching activities and numerous instructions that helped many sinful people take the right path. Next, it is important to note Hieromonk Macarius (1788-1860).
), who lived for many years in Optina Pustyn, without intersecting with other people. He differed from many other saints in that he always fasted, loved a solitary life, and also always gave valuable advice. It is noteworthy that people went in search of the saint to Optina Pustyn to talk with him and learn some life instructions.
Next on the list of Optina elders are Archimandrite Moses (1782-1862), Hegumen Anthony (1795-1865), and Hieromonk Hilarion (1805-1873). The saints were true ascetics of Orthodoxy, since they were not afraid of pressure from the authorities who were against the Christian religion.
They, without any fear, preached the Word of God even when the authorities threw them into prison for believing in the Lord God.
It is worth noting such outstanding miracle workers as Hieromonk Ambrose and Hieromonk Joseph - they were truly talented healers and miracle workers, and more than once received miraculous visions of the Most Holy Theotokos in dreams and in reality.
Archimandrite Isaac was the most famous among all the managers of Optina Pustyn. During this period, many believers and pagans really learned about this place, who subsequently began to accept the Christian religion en masse.
Famous preachers of the Optina Pustyn were such personalities from the list as Hieromonk Anatoly, Archimandrite Barsanuphius, Archimandrite Isaac, as well as Hieromonk Anatoly II, engaged in enlightening people from various cities and towns.
Hieromonk Nektary, together with Hieromonk Nikon, were disciples of Archimandrite Barsanuphius, and therefore continued his pious work, holding services in the Optina Hermitage, and returning many lost souls to the true path.
Source: https://www.moleben-online.ru/novosti/1212-sobor-priepodobnykh-optinskikh-startsev
***
Schema-abbot Anthony (1795-7/20 August 1865) in 1825, after the appointment of his brother in the flesh, the Venerable Moses, as rector of Optina Pustyn, he was appointed head of the Optina St. John the Baptist Skete. And before that, he, also with his brother, labored in a strict life in the Roslavl forests, until they finally came into contact with the followers of the spiritual tradition of the Moldavian elder Paisius - the Monk Leo and the Monk Macarius. During the reign of the Monk Anthony at the Forerunner Skete, fathers who were wise in monastic life and strong in spiritual deeds began to flock there from different directions. Soon, however, the monk was appointed abbot of another monastery, but then due to illness he returned to Optina forever. The secret monastic feat of the Monk Anthony was to bear the cross of a severe, long-term illness throughout his life. Many, seeing his always bright face and hearing his animated conversation, did not understand what kind of sufferer was in front of them. As a great lover of silence, the Monk Anthony desired a solitary life spent in prayer, reading and contemplation of God. But his spiritual gifts attracted many visitors to him who wanted to receive blessings and spiritual edification. There were good reasons to assert that the Monk Anthony had great boldness in prayer to God, and was granted spiritual visions and other grace-filled visits.
Cathedral of Optina Elders - tree
Celebrated on October 11
In 1988, by decision of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, the glorification of St. Ambrose of Optina took place.
On July 26-27, 1996, thirteen more Optina elders were canonized as locally revered saints of the Optina Hermitage. He established a general cathedral celebration on October 11.
On July 10, 1998, the relics of St. Ambrose were discovered along with the relics of six more Optina elders.
In 2000, the venerable Optina elders were glorified by the Jubilee Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church for church-wide veneration.
The Cathedral includes:
- St. Leo, hieroschemamonk (+ 1841, commemorated October 11)
- St. Macarius, hieroschemamonk (+ 1860, commemorated September 7)
- St. Moses, schema-archimandrite (+ 1862, commemorated June 16)
- St. Anthony, schema-abbot (+ 1865, commemorated August 7)
- Venerable Hilarion, hieromonk (+ 1873, commemorated September 18)
- St. Ambrose, hieroschemamonk (+ 1891, commemorated June 27, October 10)
- St. Anatoly the Elder, hieroschemamonk (+ 1894, commemorated January 25)
- St. Isaac the Elder, Schema-Archimandrite (+ 1894, commemorated August 22)
- St. Joseph, hieroschemamonk (+ 1911, commemorated May 9)
- St. Barsanuphius, schema-archimandrite (+ 1913, commemorated April 1)
- St. Anatoly the Younger, hieroschemamonk (+ 1922, commemorated July 30)
- St. Nektary, hieromonk (+ 1928, commemorated April 29)
- Venerable Nikon, hieromonk, confessor (+ 1931, commemorated June 25)
- Prmch. Isaac the Younger, archimandrite (+ 1938, commemorated December 26)
Prayers
Troparion, tone 6
Lamps of the Orthodox faith, / unshakable pillars of monasticism, / the comforter of the Russian land, / the reverend elders of Optina, / who have acquired the love of Christ and laid down their souls for their children, / pray to the Lord, / that your earthly fatherland may establish your earthly fatherland in Orthodoxy and piety, / and save our souls .
Kontakion, tone 4
Truly marvelous is God in His saints, the wilderness of Optina, like the heliport of eldership, revealed, where the enlightenment of the fathers, the secret of the human heart, who led the people of God, the sorrowful people of goodness appeared: these are the ones who instructed those who wavered in faith with the light of Christ’s teaching and taught God’s wisdom, to the suffering and the weak he gave suffering and healing. Now, abiding in the glory of God, we pray unceasingly for our souls.
Used materials
Source: https://drevo-info.ru/articles/6305.html
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Hieroschemamonk Anatoly “the Younger” (1855-July 30/August 12, 1922), having taken monastic vows in Optina in 1895, gradually entered into the work of senility and after the death of the elders St. Joseph and St. Barsanuphius, together with St. Nektarios, became the continuer of senile spiritual work. The elders do not reject anyone, but it so happened that the monastics and intelligentsia sought to the Monk Nektarios, and the common people came to the Monk Anatoly with their worries and complaints, sorrows and illnesses. “Always humble and never discouraged” - people affectionately called him “the comforter”, and also “the second Seraphim”. After the closure of Optina Pustyn, they came with a search to the Monk Anatoly and pulled out from his cell what little he had not yet managed to distribute to his children. Finally, they decided to arrest the sick old man. The arriving GPU commission asked the cell attendant of the elder Father Varnava: “Is the elder ready?” “Yes, I’m ready,” answered Father Barnabas. And he let them into the cell. There, on the table, in a coffin, lay the “prepared” deceased elder. The Lord accepted His servant, who turned out to be truly ready to appear before God.
Icon of St. Ambrose of Optina
The Monk Ambrose was one of the most famous among the host of Optina wonderworkers. The wise mentor, comforter and prayer book marked the great crown of the Optina eldership. Many Orthodox people flocked to his wretched cell for godly advice, instruction, consolation, and healing of physical and mental ailments.
What does an icon help with?
An icon of St. Ambrose of Optina and a spiritual heritage in the form of instructions for monastics and laity were left as a legacy to Christians.
They contain important lines that strengthen faith in the Creator of Heaven and Earth, restoring faith in salvation and eternal life.
They pray to Ambrose of Optina:
- about healing in illnesses;
- in various everyday and everyday needs;
- about good morals and Christian education of boys and girls;
- about strengthening the Russian people in the Orthodox faith.
The relics of the Russian saint rest in the Vvedensky Cathedral of Optina Pustyn . To worship and glorify the saint, with requests, needs and for the feeling of grace, many people from all over the world come to the holy shrine.
Important! The memory of the great Optina elder is celebrated annually on October 10/23.
History of ministry
The future Saint was born in the family of an Orthodox priest, so from childhood his father and mother raised the boy in accordance with church canons and rules.
From an early age, his parents instilled in their son the love of God, and later he received a decent education, thanks to which he was able to get a job as a teacher in the family of one of the wealthy landowners. But a suddenly worsening serious illness changed his life and forced him to rethink it.
The future clergyman decided to become a monk.
Ambrose Optinsky
The service began in Optina Pustyn. Due to his progressive illness, Ambrose found it very difficult to perform the Church Sacraments and serve the Liturgy, but he never showed his painful weakness to those around him.
The illness did not break his spirit, the cleric remained positive and devoted to God, took an active part in the creation of books, helped seminarians, built hospitals, equipped shelters and schools, and glowed with the happiness of being needed by people.
He had a lot of friends, both ordinary laymen and writers, outstanding figures of his era.
In the last year of his life, when his strength began to leave his sick body, the saint prayed in solitude and tried to quickly finish the work of arranging the Shamordino monastery.
Soon in Shamordino his holy soul departed to the Lord. But the elder bequeathed to rest the body in his native Optina Hermitage, which was done.
Source: https://molitva-info.ru/ikony/ikona-amvrosiyu-optinskomu.html
Who are the Optina elders?
Many believers who study various information about churches, temples and monasteries, who know a lot about all this, often wonder: the Optina elders - who are they? Where did they come from? This article contains all the information about the great elders of the Optina Hermitage.
Optina Pustyn: what is it?
Optina Pustyn - the oldest monastery
, which was the main center of the Optina elders.
This monastery is located 60 kilometers from the Kaluga province. And it is famous for its healers, who are also called the Optina elders
.
Even during the time of Boris Godunov, the Optina Monastery
attracted pilgrims from different parts of Russia who came to heal their body and mind, as well as find out their future destiny. No noble healers possessed such healing skills as the elders of Optina.
The elders were also the best predictors of the future
. They knew everything about what would happen in the future and what was already happening. Many considered the elders to be sons of God, and some considered sorcerers and creatures of darkness. So let's find out the truth about the Optina elders?
The true history of Optina Pustyn
The first mention of the then Kaluga temple
was in the Records of Boris Godunov, who wrote to Catherine the First about his plans to restore all the churches destroyed in 1724 by the Lithuanian raid.
Excerpt from Boris Godunov’s post, address to Catherine 1: “ The Kaluga temple must be restored, this is one of our main shrines, we will not allow its destruction again, I ask you, dear empress, to help the temple to be revived again
«.
A few months later, Empress Catherine issued a decree that clearly stated the restoration of the temple. The hermitage also owes its New Revival to the “Moscow” Metropolitan Plato, who visited the Kaluga Monastery in 1795.
Excerpt from Plato’s speech: “The place is calm and suitable for the residence of desert courtiers. Let a new temple be built here in the image of the Pesnosh Monastery
. From now on, the local monastery will bear its name Optina Pustyn.”
The Metropolitan turned to the abbot of the Pesnosh Monastery with numerous requests to give him a church minister who would be a mentor in Optina Pustyn.
Hieromonk Abraham was appointed mentor
, who only 19 years later was able to restore order in the monastery.
The local elders were invited to the monastery - people who possessed certain skills: healers, healers, soothsayers, preachers. Which could eradicate the monastic emptiness.
And now the main spiritual wealth of the Optina temple was considered its elders
who began to be revered for their righteous deeds.
Elder of Optina and Archimandrite Moses
The glory of the monastery grew every year, but the Optina temple owed its prosperity to the new abbot, elder and archimandrite Moses Putilov,
thanks to which Optina gained great fame among other monasteries. Moses accepted his position in 1826. And then he immediately founded another system of eldership, the first elder of which was considered Lev Danilovich.
The elders were more than people; their main features were:
- Possession of any gift.
- Belief in righteous deeds (faith in God).
- Serving the people.
- Repentance for all believers.
These abilities were considered the most important, since not everyone could match them.
Elders of the Optina Monastery
- Elder Lev Danilovich.
Lev Danilovich was famous for his gift of healing; he treated people’s ailments with oil from an unquenchable lamp that stood near the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Those who could not be cured were sent by Lev Danilovich to Voronezh to the local cathedral. Having walked a long distance, the patient healed himself and hurried back to the temple to the elder to express his gratitude to him.
- Elder Seraphim the Venerable.
(Sarov Righteous and Wonderworker) While Lev Danilovich was treating the sick in Optina, St. Seraphim was famous throughout the Country for his gift of righteousness. Thousands of pilgrims came to Sarovsk to hear Seraphim preach. Subsequently, St. Seraphim will move to Optina where he will serve in the monastery for 7 years and in 1835 he will retire to the sacred truth.
- Disciple of Leo, Macarius.
A student of Lev Danilovich, who had the gift of a fortuneteller, with the help of which he predicted future revolutions.
These are just the main figures of the elder system in the Optina monastery, who were famous throughout Russia.
Characteristic differences of the monastery
Most monasteries are famous for their care for the weak and poor, schools for orphans and hospitals, long services and the reception of pilgrims. But Optina Pustyn is unique for its monks.
The first elders
In the era of Peter the Great, when the material principle was placed above the spiritual, monasticism was persecuted and began to perish. And only thanks to sincerely believing, pure-spirited monks, the spiritual life of Rus' was preserved. The strong-willed, energetic and gifted Saint Paisiy Velichkovsky became especially famous in this field. It was he who understood the need for internal asceticism; he himself was an elder and led the eldership from the monasteries into the communal life of monasteries. Among Paisius's students was Theodore Svirsky, who educated the first Optina elder Leo.
