Barsanuphius was a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church, a clergyman, a writer, a Christian preacher, and before taking monastic vows he served as a colonel. In 2000, the Orthodox Church canonized him as a saint. Colonel Pavel Plikhankov arrived in Optina Pustyn in 1891 and took monastic vows in 1900.
The spiritual exploits of Barsanuphius aroused great admiration among his contemporaries. The saint was a religious beacon of the Fatherland in the pre-revolutionary period, possessed the gift of prophecy and the ability to deeply understand the Holy Scriptures and Traditions.
Biography of St. Barsanuphius of Optina
Throughout the life of Saint Barsanuphius, the Lord slowly but surely led him to the development of the highest spirituality and the power of faith. Having achieved significant success and recognition in the world, the righteous man reached the Optina Hermitage in adulthood. Throughout his earthly life, God gave signs to the future priest, who had the gift of noticing and understanding them.
Origin and childhood
In 1845, a son was born into the family of a wealthy Samara merchant. The boy's mother did not survive the birth, and the baby, named Paul, was immediately baptized by the priest. The father of the newborn came from a noble Cossack family, whose ancestors belonged to the wealthy class. In Paul's family, where virtue reigned, everyone sincerely believed in God. The Plikhankov family especially revered the image of the Kazan Mother of God, considering the shrine to be the patron saint of the family.
The widowed father married a second time to a virtuous and believing woman, who raised the boy as her own son. From an early age, Pasha went to church with his mother, listened to the woman’s prayers within the walls of the house, and already in his childhood he was a true Orthodox Christian.
When the boy was 5 years old, the first significant event happened to him, which he talked about as an adult. Pavel was walking with his father in the protected garden when an unknown stranger approached them with the words that the boy was destined to “lead suffering souls from hell.” After the prophecy, the stranger disappeared and could not be found.
At the age of nine, Pavel entered the gymnasium, where he was considered a diligent, capable and diligent student. Early in the morning before classes started, he went out into the birch grove and prayed to the Lord.
Military service
After graduating from high school, the young man entered a military school, and after graduating brilliantly, he entered officer courses. Plikhankov’s career in the army was successful. He was a military professional, enjoyed honor and authority among his colleagues, who never ceased to be amazed at the reclusive lifestyle of the stately colonel.
Pavel Ivanovich had a good salary, but was far from worldly pleasures. He spent a significant part of his allowance on restoring churches and helping orphans. In the military man’s room, whose decoration resembled a monk’s cell, there were many books, including Orthodox books, and icons.
Appeal to God
Over the years, the officer became convinced of his desire to become a monk. When the question arose about choosing a monastery, Pavel Ivanovich read an article about Elder Ambrose, who preached in the Optina Desert. Without hesitation, he went to a good place. Elder Ambrose foresaw Paul's arrival and greeted him with joy and respect. The monk told him to come in 2 years.
Upon returning, the colonel continued to pray and study spiritual literature, and attend church services. He was involved in charity work and assisted in the restoration of Orthodox churches.
At the age of 36, the military man fell ill with pneumonia. During a serious illness, he asked his orderly to read the Gospel. At that moment, the military man had a vision of the opening of the heavenly gates. Paul heard the voice of God, directing him to Optina Pustyn, where he hurried after his recovery.
The way to Optina
Upon arrival at the monastery, the holy elder Ambrose met the righteous man and agreed to accept him, allotting 3 months to resolve official matters. At the end of the period, he had to return to the holy place without delay. When the officer submitted his resignation, they decided to promote him in rank with an increase in pay.
Pavel Ivanovich did not change his decision, but unforeseen financial difficulties arose. The payment of his salary was delayed, and his entourage also did not want to let him go. Having overcome obstacles, with the blessing of the named mother, he arrived in Optina Pustyn on the last day of the allotted time.
Optina Elder
At the age of 48, the novice was tonsured into the ryassophore, and after another 7 years he took monastic vows and was named Barsanuphius. 2 years later he was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon, and soon hieromonk. In the same year, he became the elder’s assistant and spiritual mentor at the Shamordino women’s monastery. Father Barsanuphius spent the next 3 years in the hospital named after Seraphim of Sarov, where he absolved the sins of the wounded and performed funeral services for dead soldiers.
Returning to the monastery in 1907, he received the rank of abbot and, by decision of the Holy Synod, became rector of the Optina monastery. By that time, Father Barsanuphius was known in different parts of Russia. Many believers came to the monastery in the hope of receiving healing, remission of sins and finding answers to questions tormenting their souls.
The elder, who had reached the highest level of spiritual development, saw through the pilgrims and knew in advance about the reason for the visit with the details of their lives. Looking into people's souls through prayer, Barsanuphius worked miracles:
- healed bodily ailments;
- cast out demons from people;
- directed confused souls to the true path;
- raised the fallen.
The elder saw all human sins, even if they were carefully hidden by the parishioners, and recounted the events in detail. The pilgrims left Barsanuphius with relief and grace.
The saint left the monastery extremely rarely, only on matters of obedience. In 1912, Barsanuphius was appointed rector of the St. Golutvinskaya Epiphany monastery. The elder’s requests to remain in Optina, at least as a novice, were refused. There are those who complain about the true righteous.
The monastery entrusted to Barsanuphius was neglected and, with longing in his heart for the monastery, the saint began to restore the monastery. The people still went to the elder, who received everyone and helped the suffering. Within the walls of the monastery, the saint miraculously healed a deaf-mute young man.
Demise
Soon after taking over the monastery, the elder fell seriously ill. He refused treatment, endured torment and prayed, saying that he knew the outcome and “he was already on the cross.” In April 1913, Barsanuphius died. The elder was buried in the Optina Desert.
Long haul
The path to Optina of Elder Barsanuphius turned out to be longer than all the other Optina elders: he came here with the blessing of the Monk Ambrose in the forty-seventh year of his life, when strong gray hair had already appeared in his hair. What was this path like?
Not much is known about the elder’s life before he joined the brethren of Optina Pustyn, which is forty-six years. But Father Barsanuphius himself often talked about himself in conversations with his spiritual children - their records brought to us information about his life before Optina.
Heritage
Signs that Barsanuphius was God's chosen one accompanied him throughout his life. It is known that John of Kronstadt kissed the hand of the then military man Pavel Ivanovich in anticipation of accepting the schema and being numbered among the Optina elders.
Barsanuphius told people that it is possible to lead a righteous life not only within the walls of the monastery, but also in the world: avoid sins, not give in to temptation, observe external and internal fasting, and read prayers. Those who turn to the Lord with all their souls will certainly be heard in Heaven.
Barsanuphius wrote the book “Spiritual Heritage” as a message to people about the need to believe in God’s providence and thank the Lord for everything that He sends. The elder spoke about the non-randomness of events. About how to cultivate fortitude and fight temptation, about the secondary nature of worldly goods, about the fact that only following the laws of God can save humanity from destruction.
This child will one day drag souls from hell!
A significant incident happened to a child when he was about six years old. He himself recalled later: “For six years I was in the garden with my father, digging through the sand in the alley. Suddenly a wanderer walks along the alley. And it’s amazing how he could get into the garden when the garden is surrounded by large dogs that don’t let anyone through without barking. The wanderer quietly approached his father and, pointing at me with his hand, said: “Remember, father, this child will one day drag souls from hell!” And after these words he left. Then we couldn't find him anywhere. And God knows what kind of wanderer he was.”
Prayer to the saint
Oh, most honorable and sacred head, citizen of Heavenly Jerusalem, great servant of Christ and great miracle worker of Optina, like Father Barsanuphius! Look down from the heavenly heights on us, humble and sinners, who come running to you with tender hearts. You have a favorable prayer to the All-Merciful God and to His Most Holy and Most Pure Mother, Our Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Offer up your holy prayers for us to the Throne of the Lover of Mankind, the Lord, so that we do not perish through our iniquities, but turn to repentance and correction, and the rest of our earthly life is not in service we avoid sin and passion, but follow His holy commandments and piety, and with good hope we will reach our death. At the hour of death, most especially appear to us, Father, good intercessor, hasten to pray for us, helpless, and help us, with the Communion of the Divine Sacraments, to achieve a peaceful and good end, the terrible ordeal of the air to safely pass and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Hey, ever-memorable Father, do not despise us and do not disgrace our hope, but be a silent representative for us to God. Our good shepherd, protect us with your invigorated prayers and keep us from all evil, let us glorify the ineffable love of our God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and your fatherly intercession laziness, forever and ever. Amen.
I begged God for monasticism
At the age of nine, Pavlusha was enrolled in a gymnasium, he studied very well, read a lot, and knew world literature very well. Later, as an old man, he often spoke about the benefits of book knowledge, primarily the lives of saints. He recalled about his studies at the gymnasium: “In the summer we were moved for vacation to a picturesque state estate... There was a beautiful birch alley... The students usually got up at six o’clock, and I got up at five o’clock, went into that alley and, standing between those birches , prayed. And then I prayed as I had never prayed again: it was the pure prayer of an innocent youth. I think that’s where I begged for myself, begged God for monasticism.”
Learning without God is worthless
Barsanuphius equally thoroughly and deeply analyzes the work of another great Russian poet - M.Yu. Lermontov. In his poems, he sometimes rises to the very heights of the spirit, bringing a person closer to God. Barsanuphius turns to the poet’s poem “Angel” (1831). He recalls how at one of the evenings, when he was still living in the world, the performance of this poem, set to music, led everyone listening to the deepest emotional excitement, so strong that one of the guests covered his face with his hands and cried like a child, although he I had never been seen crying before. The impact of this poem was so strong because it seemed to tear people out of their ordinary everyday life and bring them closer to God.
Optina Pustyn photograph of the early 20th century
“Learning without God is worth nothing, and even talent not aimed at pleasing God has no value.” In his conversations, Barsanuphius repeatedly notes that some of the poet’s poems, for example “Prayer” (1839), were closely related to the Jesus Prayer, the power of which the poet felt and understood:
In a difficult moment of life, Is there sadness in my heart: I repeat one wonderful prayer by heart. There is a grace-filled power in the consonance of living words, and an incomprehensible, holy charm breathes in them. Doubts are far away from the soul, like a burden, and you believe and cry, And so easily, easily...
From these lines it is clear how Lermontov admires the words of prayer, but it is precisely the admiration for the beauty of these words, their sublime mood that seems to reveal a vulnerable place in the poet’s work, since he does not understand prayer as a great and unceasing work. For him, she is sweetness, unsurpassed pleasure and enjoyment, and, “unfortunately, prayer did not save Lermontov, since he expected only delight from her, but did not want to endure the labor of prayer.”
“Oddities” of officer Pavel Ivanovich Plikhankov
Then there was study at the Orenburg Military School, and staff officer courses in St. Petersburg. Gradually rising in rank, he soon became the head of the mobilization department, and then a colonel. He had not yet thought about entering the monastery, he imagined monastic life like this: “terrible boredom, there is only radish, vegetable oil and bows.” But he was already called, often imperceptibly, but sometimes very clearly, the Lord led him precisely to monastery. Hence the numerous “oddities” of officer Pavel Ivanovich Plikhankov, which others talked about.
He was a young military man, his colleagues wasted their lives in entertainment, but he came to more and more asceticism in his everyday life. His room resembled a monk’s cell in its simplicity of decoration, order, and many icons and books. Years passed. His comrades got married one after another.
Later, the elder recalled this time: “When I was thirty-five years old, my mother turned to me: “Why are you, Pavlusha, still avoiding women, soon your years will be over, no one will marry you.” For obedience, I fulfilled my mother’s wish... On this day, some friends were hosting a dinner party. “Well,” I think, “whoever I have to sit next to, I’ll enter into a lengthy conversation with.” And suddenly, at dinner, a priest stood next to me, distinguished by his high spiritual life, and started a conversation with me about the Jesus Prayer... When the dinner was over, I had a firm decision not to get married.”
Military service, brilliant career. He had the most excellent record in his service, and the rank of general was not far off for him. A direct opportunity to acquire all worldly goods. And... giving up everything. Colleagues and acquaintances could not understand: what kind of “flaw” was in the slender, handsome colonel, whose whole appearance so breathed some amazing inner nobility? He does not get married, he avoids balls and dinner parties, as well as other social entertainments. I used to go to the theater, but then I quit. Sometimes they even said behind Pavel Ivanovich’s back: “He’s crazy, what a man he was!..”
Meeting with Father John of Kronstadt
In Moscow, Pavel Ivanovich met with the holy and righteous Father John of Kronstadt. He remembered this fateful meeting for the rest of his life; later he would write: “When I was still an officer, I had to go to Moscow as part of my service. And then at the station I find out that Father John is serving mass in the church of one of the buildings. I immediately went there. When I entered the church, mass was already ending. I went to the altar. At this time, Father John transferred the Holy Gifts from the throne to the altar. Having placed the Cup, he suddenly comes up to me, kisses my hand, and, without saying anything, goes back to the throne. All those present looked at each other and said afterwards that this meant some event in my life, and decided that I would be a priest... And now you see how inscrutable the fate of God is: I am not only a priest, but also a monk.”
From a brilliant military man, he became an old man overnight
In 1881, Pavel fell ill with pneumonia. When, at the request of the patient, the orderly began to read the Gospel, a miraculous vision followed, during which the patient’s spiritual insight occurred. He saw the heavens open, and shuddered all over, with great fear and light. His whole life flashed instantly before him. Pavel Ivanovich was deeply imbued with the consciousness of repentance throughout his life, and heard a voice from above commanding him to go to Optina Pustyn. His spiritual vision opened. According to Elder Nektarios, “from a brilliant military man, in one night, by the will of God, he became an old man.”
To the surprise of everyone, the patient began to recover quickly, and upon recovery he went to Optina. The Monk Ambrose told him to finish all his business in three months, with the understanding that if he did not arrive on time, he would die.
How many good seeds were thrown!
Now his colleagues no longer invited Pavel Ivanovich to parties or to the theater. But he made little friends. Pavel Ivanovich's orderly, Alexander, a kind-hearted man, helped him find poor children who lived in huts and basements. Subsequently, the Elder said: “I really loved organizing children’s feasts. These feasts brought me and the children joy equally... And I also told them about something useful for the soul, from the lives of saints, or generally about something spiritual. Everyone listens with pleasure and attention. Sometimes, for greater edification, I invited one of the monks or hieromonks with me and let him speak, which made an even greater impression... In front of us is a clearing, behind it is a river, and beyond the river is Kazan with its wonderful arrangement of houses, gardens and churches... And I felt good then - how much joy - and pure joy - I experienced then and how many good seeds were thrown then into these childish receptive souls!
And listens to Philaret's harp
Barsanuphius, following the Optina Elder Ambrose, showed the inconsistency of all ideas and teachings that did not correspond to the spirit and teaching of the Orthodox Church.
Meanwhile, Russian literature of that time tried to consider problems that traditionally belonged to the sphere of philosophy, theology, psychology and other areas. At the same time, it absorbed various elements of Western European secular ideology: atheism (“Letter to Gogol” by V.G. Belinsky, “What is to be done?” by N.G. Chernyshevsky), nihilism (“Fathers and Sons” by I.S. Turgenev) , critical attitude towards the Church and its dogmas by L.N. Tolstoy, excessive passion for physical beauty despite religious spirituality (A.S. Pushkin, M.Yu. Lermontov, etc.), the exaltation of aestheticism to the detriment of religious faith, motives of melancholy and disappointment, pride and despondency contrary to the gospel commandments, which were present in almost all Russians poets and writers of that time.
View of the desert from the old crossing
Turning to the work of A.S. Pushkin, Barsanuphius revealed the inconsistency of his inner world: although the poet was looking for God and the righteous path to God, but due to his half-faith he stopped halfway.
Particularly interesting is the analysis of the poem “Stanza,” written by Pushkin under the impression of Metropolitan Philaret’s sermon in the Assumption Cathedral. Barsanuphius called this poem marvelous, “for which the Lord probably forgave him a lot.” After all, it is known that Pushkin more than once planned to go to a monastery, which Barsanuphius mentions in his conversations, and, apparently, it is no coincidence that Metropolitan Philaret’s sermon evoked such a brilliant echo in the poet’s soul.
Barsanuphius gives a kind of background to this extraordinary surge of creative energy and imagination of Pushkin, associated with another poem, “A gift in vain, a gift fortuitous...”, which evoked an equally brilliant response from Metropolitan Philaret: a response poem, written in the same meter and almost in the same words. I would like to present both works so that the reader can feel the deep relationship between these individuals and their creations, secular and religious-spiritual.
A vain gift, a random gift, Life, why were you given to me? Why are you condemned to death by a secret fate? Who called me out of insignificance with a hostile power, filled my soul with passion, excited my mind with doubt?.. There is no goal in front of me: My heart is empty, my mind is idle, And the monotonous noise of life torments me with melancholy. (A.S. Pushkin)
It is not in vain, not by chance that Life was given to us from God, Not without the secret will of God And condemned to execution. I myself, with my capricious power, called out Evil from the dark abysses, I myself filled my soul with passion, I excited my mind with doubt. Remember me, forgotten by me! Shine through the darkness of thoughts - And by You a pure heart will be created, a bright mind. (Metropolitan Filaret)
As for the Stanzas, Barsanuphius notes the significance of the last couplet: And the poet listens to the harp of Seraphim In sacred horror. And although Pushkin, apparently, did not hear the seraphic singing, he, as Barsanuphius says, “meant by this something great, with which only the words of Metropolitan Philaret can be compared.” As you know, the last quatrain of the “Stanzas” was like this: The soul is warmed by Your fire, Rejected the darkness of earthly vanities: And the poet listens to Philaret’s harp In sacred horror.
However, under pressure from censorship, Pushkin was forced to change it to the above version. Unlike many writers and poets, Pushkin died after taking communion, and perhaps that is why, as Barsanuphius notes, the Lord forgave him.
