On April 17, 2015, on Friday of Bright Week, the feast of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source,” His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' visited the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, where events dedicated to the 10th anniversary are taking place Board of Trustees And .

At the holy gates, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church was met by the chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church, the rector of Moscow theological schools, the chairman, the vicar of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and the clergy of the monastery.

In the Trinity Cathedral, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill venerated the honorable relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

The Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral.

Concelebrating with His Holiness were: Archbishop Eugene of Vereya; Archbishop of Sergiev Posad Feognost; Archimandrite Pavel (Krivonogov), dean of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra; , representative of the Patriarch of Bulgaria to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; , viceroy; inhabitants of stauropegial monasteries in holy orders.

The service was attended by the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District A.D. Beglov, head of the Sergiev Posad district of the Moscow region S.A. Pakhomov, head of the city of Sergiev Posad V.V. Bukin, members of the Board of Trustees of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra and the Moscow Theological Academy.

Liturgical chants were performed by the fraternal choir of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra under the direction of Archimandrite Gleb (Kozhevnikov) and the Moscow Theological Academy choir under the direction of Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov).

At the small entrance, by the decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' for his diligent service to the Church of God for the Feast of Light Christ's Resurrection a number of monks and clergy of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius and other stauropegial monasteries were awarded liturgical and hierarchical awards:

elevation to the rank of archimandrite

• Abbot Victor (Storchak), rector of the Deulinsky metochion of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra;
• Hegumen Filaret (Kharlamov), rector of the Sergius monastery of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius;
• Abbot Tavrion (Ivanov), monk of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius;
• Abbot Stefan (Tarakanov), resident of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, deputy chairman of the Synodal Department for Monasteries and Monasticism;
• Abbot Anthony (Gavrilov), monk;

rights to wear a cross with decorations

• Hegumen Eutychius (Gurin), economist of the united economy of the Lavra and the Academy;
• Abbot Philip (Pertsev), resident of the Vvedensky Monastery of Optina Pustyn;
• Archpriest Pavel Velikanov, rector of the Pyatnitsky metochion of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra;

right to carry a club

• Hieromonk Roman (Shubenkin), rector of the Radonezh metochion of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra;
• Hieromonk Anthony (Plyasov), cleric of the Kazan Amvrosievskaya Hermitage;
• inhabitants of the Vvedensky Monastery of Optina Pustyn: Hieromonk Selafiel (Degtyarev), Hieromonk Methodius (Kapustin), Hieromonk Onisim (Maltsev), Hieromonk Paisy (Nakoryakin), Hieromonk Cyprian (Storchak);

elevation to the rank of archpriest

• Priest Vasily Shchelkunov, cleric of the Ascension Metochion of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra;

rights to wear a pectoral cross

• inhabitants of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra: Hieromonk Pimen (Artyukhov), Hieromonk Evgeniy (Tyutin), Hieromonk Roman (Shakhadynets), Hieromonk Zinovy ​​(Bubyakin), Hieromonk Theodosius (Yanenko), Hieromonk Sylvester (Kucherenko), Hieromonk Spiridon (Podshibyakin), Hieromonk Nikifor (Isakov), Hieromonk Vlasiy (Rylkov), Hieromonk Seraphim (Perezhogin), Hieromonk Avramiy (Kudrich);
• inhabitants of the Vvedensky Monastery of Optina Pustyn: Hieromonk Dimitry (Volkov), Hieromonk Ambrose (Parkhetov);
• Hieromonk Joseph (Koshkin), resident of the Joseph-Volotsk stauropegial monastery;
• Priest Andrey Lochekhin, cleric of the Ascension Metochion of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra

rights to wear kamilavka

• Priest Alexander Pivnyak, cleric of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra;

rights to wear a legguard

• Hieromonk Pitirim (Lyakhov), resident of the Joseph-Volotsk stauropegial monastery;
• Hieromonk Photius (Filin), cleric of the Vvedensky Monastery of Optina Pustyn;
• Priest John Tarasov, cleric of the Ascension Metochion of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra;

ordination to the rank of protodeacon

• clergy of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra: Deacon John Dikiy, Deacon John Ivanov, Deacon Theodore Yaroshenko;
• clergy: Deacon Vladimir Avdeev, Deacon Georgy Gerasimenko;

rights to wear double orarion

• Deacon Andrey Ilyinsky, cleric of the Valaam Monastery.

After the special litany, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church offered a prayer for peace in Ukraine.

His Holiness the Patriarch ordained Deacon Dionisy Mukhin, cleric of the Intercession Church of the Moscow Theological Academy, to the priesthood.

The sermon before communion was delivered by Archimandrite Zacharias (Shkurikhin), acting. confessor of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

At the end of the Liturgy, the Primate of the Russian Church addressed the believers with.

By decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', for the holiday of Holy Easter, the Trinity and Assumption Cathedrals of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra were awarded the right to celebrate in them Divine Liturgy with the open Royal Doors according to the “Our Father”.

By a decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', for the holiday of Holy Easter, the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos at the Moscow Theological Academy was given the right to celebrate the Divine Liturgy there with the Royal Doors open according to the “Our Father” while teachers are serving in the priesthood.

Commemorative pectoral crosses were awarded to Archimandrite Pavel (Krivonogov), dean of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, for the holiday of Easter and in commemoration of the preparations for the celebration of the 700th anniversary of the birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh, and Abbot Samuil (Karask) - in connection with the 50th -birth anniversary.

The inhabitants of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra were awarded with commemorative icons of the Holy Trinity:

• Archimandrite Alexander (Bogdan) - in connection with the 50th anniversary of his stay in the Lavra brethren;
• Archimandrite Ephraim (Elfimov) - in connection with the 60th anniversary of his birth and the 30th anniversary of his priestly ordination;
• Archimandrite Elijah (Reizmir) - in connection with the 45th anniversary of his priestly service;
• Archimandrite John (Zakharchenko) - on the occasion of his 75th birthday;
• Archimandrite Lavrenty (Postnikov) - in connection with the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination;
• Archimandrite Niodim (Deev) - in connection with the 50th anniversary of monastic tonsure and the 50th anniversary of priestly service;
• Archimandrite Platon (Panchenko) - in connection with the 40th anniversary of his stay in the Lavra brethren;
• Archimandrite Trifon (Novikov) - in connection with the 70th anniversary of his birth;
• Hegumen Filaret (Semenyuk) - in connection with the 50th anniversary of his birth.

Then, on the square near the over-the-chapel, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill performed a prayer service for water, after which an Easter religious procession took place around the Assumption Cathedral.

Press service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'

1. One of Father Selafiel’s cell attendants said the following. One day, while reading to the priest (the elder had not seen anything for more than 20 years, but loved when spiritual books were read to him), he came to the following story:

“A certain man fell into great sin, and his confessor forbade him to receive communion until the end of his days. After some time, this man, overcome with despair, went to the patriarch and told him about what had happened, hoping that the patriarch would absolve him from sin. However, the patriarch approved the ban on the confessor. In a state of even greater despair, a sinful man came to one monastery. The abbot, seeing the state he was in, asked him what was wrong with him. This man told him everything: how he was with the patriarch, and how he did not allow his penance. The abbot felt sorry for the poor man, and he said:

“Look, I absolve you from this sin and will henceforth bear penance for it, and tomorrow morning you go to the liturgy and receive communion.”

That's what they did."

The cell attendant, who read this story, asked Father Selafiel in bewilderment:

- Father, how can the abbot take upon himself the sin associated with the patriarch? And how much repentance did he need to bring, and after how long could God forgive them both?

Father Selafiel replied:

- Yes, God immediately forgave them both, for he saw that the abbot did it out of love, because he felt sorry for this man, and He forgave both of them immediately.

41. Priests and monks of the Russian Church are not paid a salary. But since during the period of persecution the priest worked for the state, in his old age he had a small pension, which he received in the monastery. With this money, the priest bought books and sent them to the village priest.

42. Father was very merciful. When the churches were closed and he lived in the village, people came to him and brought a lot of money. With this money the priest gave alms. One day he paid people to build a house. When the house was ready, he called one widow, who was left without a stake and a yard, and handed her the key, saying that this house was hers.

43. Visitors brought sweets, wine and canned food to Father’s cell. He also treated his brothers to this. Sometimes he said:

“If father so-and-so comes, give him canned fish and wine, otherwise they were pouring concrete today, and the food in our refectory is rather weak.”

44. Father Cyrus, the monastery doctor, said that one day the elder’s health suddenly deteriorated. Once in the camp, his legs froze, and now they were swollen and covered with bleeding ulcers. The doctor thought that at the age of 90 the old man could not survive this disease and would die. But three days later, when he came to him, he saw that everything was all right with the priest.

“Father,” said the doctor, “do you know that you are getting better?”

“I know,” the elder answered, “that night the holy martyr Christopher came to me and said: “Selaphiel, don’t worry, you will get well.”

“That’s good, father,” the doctor joked, “but then he would have told me not to be so zealous.”

Father Selafiel did not tell anyone else about this, and the cell attendant said that the priest repented of having uttered these words.

45. Most of all, the priest hated vanity. And he couldn’t stand even the smallest praise. One of the cell attendants, having gone to live in the priest’s cell, said to himself on the very first day: “That’s it, from now on I will no longer eat eggs or drink wine, because the schema-monks do not drink wine.” And then a couple of days later Father Selafiel says to him at dinner:

- Brother, pour us a glass of wine.

This brother was portly, weighed more than 90 kilograms, and the priest was small and frail. When they drank a glass, the priest said again:

- Pour one more.

The brother sees that the priest’s nose has turned red and his tongue has become slurred. Then the father said:

“Now lock the door and let’s get some sleep.”

The priest did this in order to knock the idea out of his brother’s head that being a schema-monk meant not drinking wine. But the priest did not take a single drop into his mouth, and not only out of abstinence, but also because he had been suffering from a severe stomach ulcer for 40 years.

46. ​​Because of a stomach ulcer, the priest always had a bag of crackers in his cell. Seeing how important it was for the priest to have crackers on hand, I once told him:

- Father, bless us to go to the refectory, cut the bread and dry it on the stove, the crackers will be ready right away.

Father answered timidly:

- No, it is not necessary, so that there is no temptation that I am sending you to use the stove in the refectory, and so that the brethren do not complain. No need, he brings us their prosphora when he can, because he dries the prosphora if he doesn’t get it right.

The priest was so careful not to disturb or tempt anyone.

47. Another time, a priest from Romania brought a parcel with books for the priest so that he would distribute them to the believers. Father was very happy about the books, like a child, although he himself did not see anything and could not read them. He sat down joyfully on the edge of the bed and asked to bring books so that he could put his hand on them. And then he asked:

– Is it already dark outside?

- No, father.

- Well, if so, then we’ll wait; when it gets dark, then bring them. So that one of the brothers does not see them and say: “Look at the books they have,” and fall into temptation.

48. One day the priest was lying on the bed, and I was writing an icon at the table. After a prolonged silence, when I already thought that the priest was sleeping, he suddenly said:

- Oh, oh, how beautiful they are!

-Who, father?

- Two young men.

Believing that the priest sees angels, I thought that it must be my guardian angel and another angel who came to teach me how to paint icons. And I started asking him:

- Where are they, father?

- And what are they doing?

- They are silent.

-Are they beautiful?

- Very beautiful.

“Very beautiful, but only I know how much cunning they hide!”

And then immediately:

- Ugh, how disgusting they have become! That's it, they're leaving!

I also asked him why they came and what they were doing. The priest said that these two were demons from the wise, sent from the very throne of Satan to listen to what we are consulting about (that is, what the priest advises us), and to know what temptations we still have to prepare for.

49. One day, sitting in bed, the priest spoke:

- This fish is good, but it is undersalted.

- What kind of fish, father? You are sitting in bed, not at the table.

- Yes, I was hungry and wanted to eat a piece of fish, but it was undersalted.

The brother went to the refectory and, to his great surprise, saw that they were frying fish there. It should be noted here that in Novy Neamts people rarely eat fish. And if I had not read about Elder Porfiry, how he went underground in spirit and tasted the water from the springs to see if it was sweet, I would have thought that Father Selafiel was delusional. But, apparently, he could go wherever he wanted in spirit, and if he had an appetite, then he could taste the fish.

50. Father achieved the purity of a child. The devil could no longer overcome him with any passion. The cell attendant, who spent the night in the same cell, says that the priest had two dreams: the first, as if he was eating, and the second, as if it was raining with a thunderstorm in the cell. Rain and a thunderstorm in a dream - that’s all that the devil could still raise against the elder.

51. Father never commanded, even to the youngest novice, even to a child. He considered himself inferior to everyone and showed it with his life. When the hour of prayer came, the priest asked his cell attendant if he wanted to say a prayer. It happened that the brethren who read to him were tired, because the priest wanted the entire daily cycle of services to be read to him, three canons, one kathisma, one akathist, one kathisma from the Psalter to the Most Holy Theotokos. When all this was read by only two people for several days in a row, it was quite difficult. So, one of the cell attendants developed a sore in his throat from reading so much, because he had to read in a loud voice, since the priest had difficulty hearing. So it happened that I didn’t want to read. Then we said:

- Not now, father.

- And when?

- Later, we're tired.

“Okay,” the priest said without offense, “then I’ll join you.”

And, continuing to sit on the chair, he pulled his rosary. A few minutes later he spoke again:

- And what time is it now? It must have been an hour already.

- It didn’t pass, father, only five minutes passed.

- Oh, okay.

And he began to pull the rosary again. Then after a couple of minutes he said again:

– Hasn’t it been an hour yet?

- No, father, only five minutes have passed!

But since the priest’s patience and humility defeated us, we stopped resisting and said:

- Father, do you want us to start prayer?

- Yes! Want! - the priest answered joyfully and without a trace of grief.

- Bless!

- Blessed be our God...

This is what the priest always did: in prayer, at the table, in everything. He didn’t do anything until he asked someone standing next to him: “Shall we pray?” - or: “Shall we eat?” - or: “Shall we go to church?” And if they told him: “No!” - then he no longer insisted, no matter who was with him, obeying in everything, as if he were the student. If necessary, he changed his time of sleep and prayer, as the cell attendant wanted, and did not hold any grudges.

52. One morning he said:

“That night I thought I was going to die, my liver hurt so much.” I already wanted to pray to God to take me away, but I was afraid that I might go against His will.

The priest did not even pray for his pain to go away, saying that in this way God cleanses him.

53. Another time he told me that in his illnesses he had achieved dispassion, so that it now seemed to him that he had no flesh at all.

54. Even when he was tormented by severe, incessant pain, he never showed dissatisfaction, and if he was asked about something, he answered with all love and did not keep anyone waiting.

55. At the burial of Father Selafiel, Bishop Dorimedont said:

“The pillar that supported the Church, the prayer book for our souls, the mentor, the martyr and the confessor, has left us. Father Selafiel had a gift from God. Every sinner who came to him, no matter how great his sins, left comforted and with hope of salvation.

56. Father Selafiel died the way he wanted. Door to door with the priest’s cell lived Father Sergius, an archimandrite, who before his death could not eat for ten days. Sometimes Father Selafiel said:

– Good death was with Father Sergius, I also would like not to eat for ten days before I die.

And so it happened, because for the last ten days the priest could neither eat nor drink, because he was vomiting. Due to the summer heat, his mouth was dry, and the only thing that could be done for him was to moisten his lips with a damp cloth. Father was in clear memory, but could not speak from exhaustion. On the last day, when the wet napkin touched his lips, the priest moved it to the side with his hand, thereby showing that this was not necessary.

He struggled until the last moment and died out, like a candle that had burned out to the end. Those present at his death say that the priest straightened his arms before his last breath.

IN last days The priest said that he was visited by one very handsome holy martyr, who gave him a long speech about faith and the future life, and also by a woman in white.

57. That Father Selafiel was perfect was evident from everything. Anyone can control themselves in the presence of guests, but to be calm all the time - for this you need to have the grace of God.

It also happened that I read the rule to the priest together with the cell attendant. For three months I was in the priest’s cell from the morning, as soon as he woke up, until the evening, when he went to bed. And in all these days, whether he was tormented by insomnia, whether he suffered from severe pain, I never heard him say: “Leave me alone,” or: “I have no time,” or: “Mind your own business.” " Neither by his appearance nor by his movement did he ever show impatience or dissatisfaction, even the slightest. So I never once felt upset or offended or left out, even though I never behaved properly.

In Father Selafiel the love with which Christ loves people was clear, because no matter how many times I showed disobedience to him and contradicted him, the priest never once said: “You see, if only you had listened to me,” or: “I told you so.” “- but he always greeted me with unchanging love, as if my sin did not concern him. Therefore, I can say that I have never seen such people as Father Selafiel.

Meeting in Optina - listen! - a soft consonance that excites the poet, as does the consonance of the name “Optina Pustyn”. But in the end it became the title not of a poem, but of a series of notes. And that's why.

The Meeting of the Lord canonically lasts 8 days: from February 15 to February 22. But since the church day begins in the evening, Candlemas is actually celebrated from 5 p.m. on February 14th. And this first supper is the most solemn. So in secular terms this holiday lasts 9 days. And all of them overlapped with the 14 days of my stay in Optina. Therefore, I didn’t even think of any other versions of the name of the notes.

In fact, Candlemas is a turning day from the Old Testament to the New. But the Most Holy Theotokos was pleased to make it pre-spring, warm. The temperatures of twenty to thirty degrees on Monday-Tuesday dropped to minus 2 on Wednesday. Fresh soft snow softly covered the area. The pigeons participating in the original Candlemas plot settled in a huge flock over the fresco of the holy gates of the monastery. It depicts the introduction of the Mother of God into the Temple of Jerusalem (this is the Holy Vvedenskaya Optina Pustyn) - probably, the pigeons simply did not have a plot closer to the holiday under their wings.

But the angels greeted the holiday (it actually combines the features of the Mother of God and the Lord's holiday) in an unexpected way. And what is unexpected for me will be even more unheard of for the reader of these notes. Let me explain better.

According to the book of Job, at the moment when the stars were created, “all the angels of God praised the Lord with a great voice.” These most beautiful hymns are still sung by ethereal choirs. The rejoicing of these spirits at the creation of the stars is not accidental, for these creatures mysteriously control the heavenly lamps. The Star of Bethlehem was an angel. And "Apocalypse" even knows an angel "standing on the Sun."

And so, at the end of the cloudy snowy day of Candlemas, after the evening rule, I walked out of the Church of the Archangel Michael into the monastery courtyard and froze in amazement. Constellations burned in the clear sky, the kind that only exist in the mountains. The handsome Orion stood right in front of me, Cassiopeia was above his head, and Ursa Major was behind him. But Ladle, okay, I’ve probably never seen such a beautiful Orion before. It was, for example, clearly visible that Betelgeuse was a red star... The smoke from the monastery's fireplace sometimes rose to Orion's belt, which was blown away further so that it mixed with the nebulae of the Milky Way...

From February 14 to 22, the Sretenskaya Icon was exhibited in the center of the Kazan Church, which I approached every evening for a kiss. It was decorated around the perimeter with white roses and white lilies - that is, almost the most moisture-loving flowers that do not get along with each other in the same vase, but feel great in the same frame. For nine days they remained fresh and fragrant, so that they could be sold in a flower stall. Since the icon itself was without glass, they were unlikely to even be sprayed from a spray bottle. What is this? An ordinary miracle? Grace of the Blessed Virgin? It seems that no one except me paid attention to this.

On the choir they sang: Rejoice, Blessed Virgin Mary, from You has arisen the Sun of Truth - Christ our God, illuminating in the darkness...

The photo shows schemamonks in traditional embroidered clothes. This is the highest formal level of monasticism, when the monk no longer works on obediences, but only prays. There are several such people in Optina. I turned to one of them for help in the absence of the elders*.

[Specifically in this photo is Schema-Archimandrite Zakhary (Potapov), with whom I did not communicate. But he was impressed by the circumstances of his birth.
His dad was leaving for the front. The train stood awaiting departure not far from their village. On the day his father was sent to the front, his son was born - a future man of prayer and ascetic of piety. They wanted to inform the warrior going to war about the birth of his son. The older brother of the born baby ran to the train, but did not have time to make his father happy: the train had already left. In the first battle, Father Zechariah’s father died].

The priests were dressed in blue. On holidays dedicated to the Mother of God, the service is performed in blue vestments, because Holy Mother of God, being the chosen vessel of the grace of the Holy Spirit, represents heavenly purity and innocence.

On the day of the Feast of the Presentation (February 23), I just had a personal holiday, which I mentioned in the last lines of the previous note.

_________________

* - In my limited and subjective opinion, the following can be said about Optina’s personalities:
the best deacon is Hierodeacon Iliodor (Garyants), the best confessor is Hieromonk Silouan, the best prayer book is Schemamonk Evfimy. (I hope they never read this, because praising a monk is like tripping up a runner.)

Hieromonk Anthony is also famous. To each confession he brings a stack of books, half a meter high. And, if necessary, he sends those confessing to re-read some chapter that explains the nuances of the sin being confessed. I also visited him once, and the chapter I read turned out to be useful. But oh. I liked Silouan more: you can simply talk to him after confession - immediately after the prayer of permission. It seems that he is the one captured in this retro photo from the 90s.

Cathedral of the Venerable Optina Elders

According to legend, the monastery Optina Pustyn founded near the city of Kozelsk on the banks of the Zhizdra River at the end of the 14th - beginning of the 15th centuries. The founder of the monastery was the thunderstorm of the surrounding forests, a murderer named Opta (Optia), who later repented and became a monk with the name Macarius.

Several times the monastery experienced periods of crisis and decline. It is known that in 1773 there were only two monks in the monastery - both very old men. But in 1821 the situation changed, the monastery was revived after the establishment of the Kaluga Bishop Philaret St. John the Baptist Skete at the monastery. The Kaluga bishop turned to the famous elder Hieroschemamonk Athanasius, a disciple of the great Moldavian elder Reverend Paisius Velichkovsky, who lived with his brethren in the Roslavl forests. The bishop suggested that the elders choose a secluded place on the territory of the monastery “for a silent and hermitic life, following the example of the ancient saints. fathers of the desert dwellers." With the blessing of Father Afanasy, hermits led by the Putilov brothers, the future Optina elders Moses and Anthony, arrived in Optina Hermitage from the Roslavl forests. They settled in the monastery apiary, restoring the monastery.

Since then, Optina Pustyn has become, in the words of Father Pavel Florensky, “a spiritual sanatorium for many wounded souls.” Hermits, accustomed to solitude, settled there, and the elders began to manage spiritual life, while the abbot was only an administrator.

Initially, the brotherhood of the Holy Presentation monastery consisted of 6 people: Father Moses (Putilov), who became the head of the monastery, his brother Father Anthony (Putilov), Father Savvaty, novice John Drankin, as well as schemamonk Vassian and monk Hilarion.

Optina Pustyn was created entirely on the principles that St. Paisiy (Velichkovsky; November 15/28, 1794), a native of the Poltava province, translator and compiler of the Slavic version of the famous spiritual code “Philokalia”, carried out in his activities. With St. Paisius everything was focused on inner side monastic life, self-improvement of the spirit. They introduced eldership and compulsory study patristic creations as the foundation on which the life of every monk should be built. St. Paisius made such a broad arrangement of eldership, which it did not have in any monastery in the 18th century - neither in Russian nor in Athonite. In Russian monasteries, by the first half of the 18th century, eldership was forgotten. At this time, there was no eldership on Athos either, as can be seen from the life of St. Paisius, who did not find a mentor on Athos skilled in the Divine and paternal writings. But the spiritual leadership of monks was not forgotten in Moldova: here in individual monasteries there was an eldership, here St. Paisius also understood the need for internal spiritual asceticism. But the eldership existed in separate small hermitages, and it was necessary for a person to appear, which the venerable man became. Paisius, who, by the power of his word, the power of his energy and influence, would have introduced him into the communal life of the monasteries as his main nerve, would have strengthened him in the communal structure of monastic life.

Having adopted the experience of St. Paisius, Optina Pustyn grew a whole ladder of eldership, which elevated entire generations of Russian people into the Kingdom of Heaven.

The first great Optina elder was Hieroschemamonk Lev (Nagolkin) (1768—1841) , who arrived at the monastery in April 1829, a man of unshakable faith, extraordinary courage, firmness and energy. The hero is spiritual, impartial, sometimes even harsh in his words. It was to him that not only the brethren, but also many laymen from different classes and ranks who lived in distant Russian provinces turned for spiritual help. Father Lev (in the robe Leonid) came from a merchant family in the city of Karachaev, Oryol province, and arrived in Optina Pustyn in his declining years. In his youth he had fabulous strength, but even now he was tall, spoke in a deep voice, acted a little like a fool, joked, but it always had a hidden edifying meaning. He read in the soul of each of those who came to him forgotten secret sins and hidden thoughts.

- Try to pay more attention to yourself, and not to analyze the deeds, actions and appeals of others to you, but if you do not see love in them, it is because you yourself do not have love.

Elder Leo’s successor was his disciple and co-secretary Hieroschemamonk Macarius (Ivanov) (1788-1860) , who retained in his senile service the special delicacy and modesty of character that attracted writers to Optina. 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. Under his spiritual leadership there was not only Optina Pustyn, but also many other monasteries, and letters to monastics and laity, published by the monastery, became an invaluable guide for every Christian in spiritual life.

- You want not only to be good and have nothing bad, but also to see yourself as such. Desire is commendable, but to see one’s good qualities is already food for self-love...

Schema-Archimandrite Moses (Putilov) (1782-1862) - 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 churches and monastery buildings were recreated and new ones were built: a wall-fence with seven turrets, new fraternal buildings, a refectory, a library, hotels, horse and cattle yards, tile and brick factories, a mill, a fraternal cemetery and the entire monastery. And often all this was built only to provide work and feed local residents in times of famine. Under him, huge vegetable gardens and orchards were planted. This was helped by the countless pilgrims who flocked to Optina, but others were fed for free, even when the monastery itself was in need. Optina Pustyn owes its visible flourishing and spiritual revival to the wise leadership of Elder Moses.

“If you ever show mercy to anyone, you will receive mercy for that.”

Schema-abbot Anthony (Putilov) (1795-1865) - 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. “I would like to console everyone, and if it were possible, I would tear myself to pieces and give a piece to everyone,” he said before his death.

-Whatever grief befalls you, whatever trouble happens to you, say: “I will endure this for Jesus Christ!” Just say this and it will be easier for you. For the name of Jesus Christ is powerful.

Hieroschemamonk Hilarion (Ponomarev) (1805—1873) - disciple and successor of Elder Macarius. Being a Zealous Advocate and Preacher 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,” recalls the elder’s spiritual child, “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.

- If you feel that anger has seized you, remain silent and do not say anything until your heart is calmed by unceasing prayer and self-reproach.

- Make comments without giving food to your own pride, considering whether you yourself could bear what you demand from another.

Hieroschemamonk Ambrose (Grenkov) (1812-1891) - 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. Optina’s “pillar of eldership” concealed great spiritual talents under playfulness. 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.

- We must live on earth the way a wheel turns, only one point touches the ground, and the rest constantly strives upward; but as soon as we lie down on the ground, we cannot get up.

- To live is not to bother, not to judge anyone, not to annoy anyone, and my respect to everyone.

- Every sin, no matter how small, must be written down as soon as you remember it, and then repented. That’s why some people don’t die for a long time, because some unrepentant sin is holding them back, but as soon as they repent, they are relieved... otherwise we put it off: either the sin is small, then it’s a shame to say it, or I’ll say it later, but we come to repent and have nothing to say.

Hieroschemamonk Anatoly (Zertsalov) (1824—1894) - the monastery 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 possessed an amazing gift of consolation and prayer. Rev. Ambrose said that he was given such prayer and grace as is given to one in a thousand.

-We are obliged to love everyone, but to be loved, we do not dare demand.

- Learn to be meek and silent, and you will be loved by everyone. And open feelings are the same as open gates: both the dog and the cat run there... and they shit.

- Every prayer to God is profitable. And what exactly - we don’t know about it. He is the One righteous Judge, and we can recognize lies as truth. Pray and believe.

- Have pity and you won’t judge.

Schema-Archimandrite Isaac (Antimonov) (1810-1894) - the ever-memorable abbot of the Optina Monastery, who combined the 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.

Hieroschemamonk Joseph (Litovkin) (1837-1911) - 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.

- We ourselves increase our sorrows when we begin to grumble.
- What is acquired through labor is useful.
- What is easy for the body is not good for the soul, and what is good for the soul is difficult for the body.

Schema-Archimandrite Barsanuphius (Plikhankov) (1845-1913) - the leader of the hermitage, 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. Wise from a long life in the world, he knew how to see the “signs of the times” and instructed his spiritual children in the readiness to “suffer for the faith even to death.” The elder had extraordinary insight; it was revealed to him inner meaning events taking place, he saw the hiddenness of the heart of the person who came to him, lovingly awakening repentance in him.

- Do not worry! Don't be afraid for the Church! She will not perish: the gates of hell will not prevail against her until the Last Judgment. Don’t be afraid for her, but you need to be afraid for yourself, and it’s true that our time is very difficult. From what? Yes, because now it is especially easy to fall away from Christ, and then - destruction.

Hieroschemamonk Anatoly (Potapov) (1855—1922) - the loving priest, nicknamed the comforter among the people, was endowed by the Lord with great grace-filled gifts of love and consolation of 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.

- They say the temple is boring. Boring because they don't understand the service! Need to study! He's boring because they don't care about him. So he seems not one of us, but a stranger. At least they brought flowers or greenery for decoration, if they took part in the efforts of decorating the temple, it wouldn’t be boring.

- Live simply, according to your conscience, always remember that the Lord sees, and don’t pay attention to the rest!

Hieroschemamonk Nektary of Optina (1853-1928) - 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. Shortly before the revolution, the elder began to walk around with a red bow, predicting future events. He had a bird that whistled, and he forced grown people who came with empty sorrows to blow into it; there was a top that he made the famous professor spin; there were children's books that the elder gave to members of the intelligentsia to read. At the beginning of the twentieth century, which was marked by an intellectual revolution, the monk advised to live and study in such a way that learning did not interfere with piety.

- The main thing is to beware of condemnation of loved ones. Whenever condemnation comes to mind, immediately pay attention: “Lord, grant me to see my sins and not condemn my brother.”

- Man is given life so that it serves him, not he, that is, a person should not become a slave to his circumstances, should not sacrifice his inner to the outer.

- Look for the great meaning in everything!

Hieromonk Nikon (Belyaev) (1888-1931) - a confessor of the faith, who grew into the measure of an elder at the age of thirty, the closest disciple of the elder Barsanuphius, an ardent prayer book 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.

- Let the prayer rule be small, but fulfilled constantly and carefully...

“We must look at those who blaspheme as if they were sick, from whom we demand that they not cough or spit...

- There is no need to give vent to your feelings. We must force ourselves to be friendly with those we don’t like.

- The “Jesus Prayer” will replace the sign of the cross if for some reason it cannot be placed.

- What is better: to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ rarely or often? — it’s hard to say. Zacchaeus joyfully accepted the dear Guest - the Lord - into his home, and did well. But the centurion, out of humility, realizing his own unworthiness, did not dare to accept, and also did well. Their actions, although opposite, have the same motivation. And they appeared before the Lord as equally worthy. The point is to adequately prepare yourself for the great Sacrament.

- If you want to get rid of sadness, do not attach your heart to anything or anyone. Sadness comes from attachment to visible things.

- There has never been, is not and never will be a carefree place on earth. A sad place can only be in the heart when the Lord is in it.

- We must consider everything bad, including the passions that fight us, not as our own, but as from the enemy - the devil. It is very important. Only then can you overcome passion when you don’t consider it yours...

- Do every task, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you, carefully, as if in the presence of God. Remember that the Lord sees everything.

- Patience is uninterrupted complacency.

- Your salvation and your destruction are in your neighbor. Your salvation depends on how you treat your neighbor. Do not forget to see the image of God in your neighbor.

Archimandrite Isaac II (Bobrakov) (1865—1938) - 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 Simferopol highway, firmly standing in his confession: “I will not run from my cross!”

In the thirties, during the persecution of the church, many hieromonks were arrested, but even in prisons and camps, thanks to the prayer books of the Optina Hermitage, love and faith continued to warm in the hearts of people. In the 80s of the twentieth century, the spiritual life of the Holy Monastery was revived, and the traditions of the Optina Eldership were revived. The flow of pilgrims to Optina Pustyn continues to this day.

In 1988, by decision of the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, the glorification of St. Ambrose of Optina took place, and on July 10, 1998, the relics of St. Ambrose along with the relics of six more Optina elders.

On July 26-27, 1996, thirteen Optina Elders were canonized as locally revered saints of the Optina Hermitage. In 2000, the Venerable Optina Elders were glorified by the Jubilee Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church for church-wide veneration.

The Orthodox people have always felt the conciliarity of Optina piety; it is not without reason that one of their favorite prayers is the one that was long copied by believers by hand, and has now been published several times, called “The Prayer of the Optina Elders,” without identifying authorship. And this prayer reflected the special “Optina spirit”, which is still alive within the walls of the monastery. First of all, this is the absence of any ostentatious piety, cheerfulness in relationships with people while hiding internal struggles; this is holy simplicity, dislike for “high calm,” worldly experience and love that covers everything, but with severity towards the destroyers of Orthodoxy.

And one more feature that is very important for our time is “historical cheerfulness.” All the Optina elders spoke and wrote about the coming disasters, their prophecies were very specific and many of them have already come true, but the tone of the prophecies, the general mood when talking about trials and even the end of times are certainly imbued with hope in God’s mercy for believers. The elders believed in the future spiritual revival of Russia and repeated that during any sorrows one must remember that “all things work together for good to those who love the Lord” and “in general, any triumph of evil over good is only imaginary, temporary,” because “evil has already been defeated by our Savior Himself Son of God Jesus Christ."

Material prepared by Sergey SHULYAK

for the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills

Prayer of the Optina Elders

Troparion to the Council of the Reverend Fathers and Elders who shone forth in the Optina Hermitage, tone 6:
Lamps of the Orthodox faith, / unshakable pillars of monasticism, / comforters of the Russian land, / reverend elders of Optinstia, / 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 heirloom city of eldership, revealed,/ where the divinely enlightened fathers,/ who knew the secrets of the human heart,/ the sorrowful people of God appeared to the goodness:/ these were instructed on the path of repentance, burdened by sin,/ wavering in faith by the light of Christ’s teaching enlightening / and teaching God’s wisdom, / suffering and granting healing to the suffering and weak, / now, abiding in the glory of God, / we pray unceasingly for our souls.

Documentary film “UNKNOWN OPTINA” (2017)

Documentary film “MONASTERIES OF RUSSIA. Optina Pustyn." (2016)

Channel 1 film “OPTINA PUSTIN” (2016)

Optina Pustyn is a monastery with a difficult and unusual history. Ruined by quitrent during the reign of Peter I, destroyed almost to the ground and turned into a sawmill and rest house during the years of the atheism, Optina Pustyn survived and still receives pilgrims, and the miracles of the Optina elders are known throughout the world. The prayers of the Optina monks help people, and we will tell you about the beautiful monastery, its history and heritage.

History of the monastery

Optina Pustyn is a stauropegial monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is located near Kozelsk, Kaluga region and was founded in the 4th century, but its history goes back to the Middle Ages. Optina Pustyn was established in this wonderful place by God's providence; unfortunately, we do not have any authentic information about the first creator of the monastery. Only a few legends have survived, one of which concerns a robber named Opta, who lived an unrighteous life, but then something happened to him, he took monastic vows with the name Macarius. The brethren gathered around the former robber, he set up a hermitage, which was the beginning of the life of the monastery.

According to another legend, Optina Pustyn was founded by Prince Vladimir the Brave, who supported monasticism or one of his heirs.

There is also a version that previously both monks and nuns lived in the monastery, and such monasteries in ancient times were called Optina. Accurate data on the creation of Optina Pustyn has not been preserved. One thing is clear: in these beautiful, secluded and picturesque places, everything was conducive to monastic life.

At different times life was very difficult for the monastery. At the beginning of the 6th century, under Abbot Serii, the monastery had a single wooden church and only six cells, the brethren consisted of twelve monks, and the head of the brethren was Hieromonk Fedor. In 1689, the Shepelev boyars built the Vvedensky Cathedral. During the reign of Peter I, Optina Pustyn paid a huge rent, almost beyond the capacity of the monastery. Fishing, a mill and other property that brought at least some income to Optina Pustyn were taken into the treasury. Over time, Optina Pustyn was abolished, calling it a “little monastery.” It was possible to restore Optina Pustyn thanks to the petition of the steward Andrei Shepelev in 1726. The monks even managed to return the mill.

In 1795, Optina Pustyn came to better times. Moscow Metropolitan Platon paid attention to the monastery. With the blessing of the Metropolitan, construction of the monastery began, which lasted for many years. Father Avramiy was appointed builder; he did not leave his ministry until the moment when weakness forced him to ask to be released from work. In 1801, “for the excellent services of the monastery to common benefit", Father Abraham was promoted to abbot of the Likhvinsky Pokrovsky Good Monastery, with control at the same time in the Optina Hermitage. Until his old age, everyone loved and respected him in the monastery, where during his lifetime he was able to see the worthy fruits of his greatest labors.

Until 1861, the monastery flourished. There were already more than 150 people in the brotherhood. Optina Pustyn also carried out publishing activities. The works of the elders of Optina Hermitage were published quite widely, increasing the heritage of the holy place.

In 1923, during the time of the fight against God, Optina Pustyn was closed. But they not only closed, but destroyed many churches, desecrating the holy place, turning it into secular institutions. A difficult period in the history of the monastery began again. The Bolsheviks closed the monastery churches, turning them into a sawmill and the monastery into a rest house. Only in 1987 Optina Pustyn was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. On June 3, 1988, after a long break, the first divine service was held in Optina Pustyn. To this day, the monastery welcomes thousands of pilgrims.

Temples of Optina Hermitage

Vvedensky Cathedral

This is the main temple of Optina Hermitage, which was built from 1750 to 1771. The temple contains the relics of Saints Ambrose and Nektarios, the elders of Optina Hermitage, as well as the especially revered Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

Church in the name of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

This temple of Optina Hermitage was first built in 1809-1811. During the Soviet years it was destroyed to the ground. In 1989, archaeologists discovered the foundation of the temple. It is believed that the venerable elder Anatoly (Potapov) once lived in the cell next to the temple. In 1996, the temple was restored and first became the tomb of the elders of Optina Hermitage. In 1988, among all the elders of the Optina Hermitage, the first to be glorified as a saint was St. Ambrose. In 1996, already fourteen Optina elders were recognized as saints, and the relics of seven of them were transferred in a solemn religious procession to the Church in the name of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. To this day, the temple remains the tomb of the Optina elders.

Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord

This temple was founded by Patriarch Alexy II during his last visit to Optina Pustyn and consecrated in 2007. It is no coincidence that the temple is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord. It turned out that Optina Pustyn was finally closed precisely on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord in 1923. Other organizations appeared on the territory of the monastery, and the brethren of the monastery began their confessional path. Many of them settled in Kozelsk, in local villages. Some were arrested. The relics of the Venerable Confessor Raphael (Sheichenko) are kept in the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Temple in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

This temple was built in 1881, but was subsequently destroyed and restored only in 1996. The temple contains the relics of the venerable elders of Optina Hermitage Moses, Anthony and Isaac I. The temple in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is the largest temple of the monastery.

Temple in honor of St. Hilarion the Great

This temple is located outside the walls of Optina Hermitage. It was built in 1874. In the same building there is a hotel and a refectory for pilgrims.

Temple in honor of St. Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John

In this temple, services are held according to a special charter for monastics. Pilgrims are allowed to attend services in the temple in honor of St. The Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John only on special days: the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Council of John the Baptist, the Beheading and Monday of Bright Week.

Temple in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Spreader of the Loaves”

This temple is quite new; it was built in 2000 on the territory of the monastery’s subsidiary farm.

Mobile church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Source”

This temple is mobile and is installed in Optina Pustyn where seasonal field work is taking place.

Temple in honor of the Venerable Mary of Egypt

This temple is currently under restoration.

Temple in honor of St. Lev of Katansky and St. John of Rylsky

This temple is located on the territory of St. John the Baptist monastery. The temple building is now a hotel for pilgrims.

Church of All Saints

This temple is located on the site of the former monastery cemetery outside the monastery. During the years of the atheism it was completely destroyed and is now in the process of restoration.

Chapel at the burial site of the murdered Optina brethren: Hieromonk Vasily, monks Trofim and Ferapont

This chapel was built in 2008. Now it is located on the territory of the monastery cemetery.

Optina elders

founded the Optina eldership

Hieroschemamonk Lev (Nagolkin) (1768–1841)

A huge number of destitute people and pilgrims flocked to Optina Pustyn to witness the numerous miracles performed by the elder. He was a disciple and companion of Elder Leo

Hieroschemamonk Macarius (Ivanov) (1788–1860)

He suffered the feat of caring for the elderly, and considered humility to be the basis of the life of a Christian. The words of the elder are known: “If there is humility, everything is there; if there is no humility, there is nothing.”

Another student of Elder Leo was

Schema-Archimandrite Moses (Putilov) (1782–1862)

He was meek and wise. He saw the flourishing of Optina Hermitage, and the monastery owes much of its flourishing to him. Under Schema-Archimandrite Moses, old temples and monastery buildings were recreated and new ones were built. The associate and brother of Schema-Archimandrite Moses (Putilov) was

Schema-abbot Anthony (Putilov) (1795–1865)

Being a humble man of prayer, he bore the heavy cross of bodily weakness. In illness, shortly 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.”

Elder Macarius had a successor

Hieroschemamonk Hilarion (Ponomarev) (1805–1873)

He was known for bringing many who had fallen away from it back into the fold of the Church and died in prayer, clutching a rosary in his hands.

One of the most famous Optina elders was and remains

Hieroschemamonk Ambrose (Grenkov) (1812–1891)

It is famous for numerous miracles. As a student of elders Leonid and Macarius, elder Ambrose inherited a gift of grace from them; he served people for thirty years. He founded the Shamordino convent and ministered to many monasteries. The letters and instructions of Elder Ambrose are widely known. He is glorified among the saints.

Hieroschemamonk Anatoly (Zertsalov) (1824–1894)

He was a famous prayer book and ascetic, and also cared for the Shamordino convent. He was known as a person with a unique gift of a comforter in any sorrow.

Schema-Archimandrite Isaac (Antimonov) (1810–1894)

While managing the monastery, he possessed amazing kindness and humility, and the doors of his cell were always open to the suffering. The decoration of his cell was simple and ascetic.

Among the many elders of the Optina Hermitage, one found the full brunt of the desecration of the holy place. And he was forced to witness the fight against God. This old man became

Archimandrite Isaac II (Bobrakov) (1865–1938)

He was imprisoned four times for his faith on false charges and was shot on January 8, 1938. His holy relics were not found and were buried in a mass grave. His death was crowned with suffering for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wonders of Optina Pustyn

Through the prayers of the elders of Optina Hermitage, Optina Hermitage - a place of pilgrimage - was accomplished more than once; many even now expect miracles; stories about them are often found on Orthodox forums and portals. But, of course, the true miracle is the existence of an ancient monastery that has gone through many trials. Many temples were destroyed to the ground and are still being restored. Optina elders and monks were tortured and killed during the atheistic years, but the monastery is still alive.

To avoid falling into temptation, we should not base our faith on miracles. After all, the miracles of the Orthodox Sacraments are always with us - for example, the sacraments of the Eucharist. To witness your own miracles, many of which often occur in the human soul, you can go on a pilgrimage to Optina Pustyn, attend monastery services and pray with the Optina monks.

We should not tempt the Lord with the inevitable expectation of miracles from the pilgrimage, because everything that is given to us is given in the name of salvation and if we did not receive what we asked for, then it was not necessary for our soul.

Prayers

The Optina prayer book contains many prayers. You can listen:

Evening prayers at Optina Pustyn

Particularly touching is the Optina prayer of a mother for her children, which says that a mother should be ready to give her children to serve the Lord and accept His will, not desiring them worldly goods if this is not necessary for their salvation. You can read the Optina prayer book on the monastery website.

The prayers of Ambrose of Optina are widely known:

About the beginning of every 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.

About 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.

For the enemies

Those who hate and offend us, Your servants (names), forgive, Lord, Lover of mankind: they don’t know what they are doing, and warm their hearts to love us, unworthy.