Practically every person - believer or not - is familiar with the main prayer of the elders "At the beginning of the day", they are known under the general name Optina.
This appeal to the Lord is so powerful, effective, filling with bright faith, love, hope for the best, which works real miracles in the lives of many people, regardless of religion.
Who are they - the authors of this and other prayers that have such supernatural, divine power, which through the centuries help and heal believers and even unbelievers? What other prayers of the elders exist in the Orthodox Church? More about this in the article.
History
According to sources about the life of holy people, monks, the Optina Elders were once inhabitants of the Stavropegic Monastery, or the Vvedenskaya Optina Hermitage, which is 2 kilometers from Kozelsk (Kaluga Region) on the Zhizdra River.
The monastery was built in the 19th century and its shape (top view) resembles a square. A fence is built along the perimeter, which is also a quadrangular shape, andthere is a temple tower on every corner. Behind the monastery there is a skete, which the laity are not allowed to enter (only for monks).
In the very central part of the monastery there is the main temple - the cathedral in the name of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. And next to it - along the cross - there are more churches: the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (in the south), the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God (in the east), the temple in the name of Mary of Egypt (in the north).
This monastery is the oldest monastery in Optina Hermitage. It is the Optina Elders who are considered its founders. Here they worked, prayed, performed great miracles. The main ones are the gifts of healing and prediction of the future.
The monastery was constantly full of believers - from different parts of Russia and other countries. Pilgrims came to this holy land to receive healing of soul and body, to hear good advice from the elders, to calm the mind, since not a single doctor of that time could heal and revive like the Optina elders.
There were real legends about them, some considered them the Sons of God, others accused them of interacting with unclean forces.
But the elders still continued to help people, pray, work for the good of the temple and do the will of God.
Temple dwellers
These great monks were considered the main we alth of the monastery of Optina Pustyn, they were revered by many for their good deeds and assistance.
Here are the main ones:
- Hieroshimonk Leo is the founder of the temple and the Optina eldership. He was famous for his great love for God and neighbors. Worked selflessly forthe benefit of the convent.
- Hieroschemamonk Macarius is a follower of St. Leo. It was from him that the writing of holy works on the asceticism of the elders and on the Optina monastery began. He also led other temples.
- Schiarchimandrite Moses - known for his humility, wisdom and great charity work towards poor wanderers. Under him, new temple buildings were built.
- Shiigumen Anthony - led the skete, was seriously ill, had the gift of teaching. Brother of Schema-Archimandrite Moses.
- Hieroschemamonk Hilarion, a follower of Elder Macarius, had the gift of preaching, with him many apostates returned to the monastery.
- Hieroschemamonk Ambrose - distinguished by holiness and sincere reverence for God through his service. It is to him that believers most often turn in prayers.
- Schiarchimandrite Isaac, the abbot of the monastery, guarded and affirmed the spiritual precepts of the elders in Optina Hermitage.
- Hieroshimonk Anatoly is the head of the skete, a strong prayer book, comforter and ascetic, as well as a mentor of monks and parishioners of many monasteries and churches.
- Hieroshimonk Joseph is a follower of Ambrose, a man of prayer, a humble old man, illuminated by divine light. The Mother of God appeared to him.
- Schiarchimandrite Barsanuphius, a perspicacious old man, a former military man, saw the innermost in the heart of every person.
- Hieroshimonk Anatoly is a comforter, healer, humble and loving pastor.
- Hieroschemamonk Nectarius is the last elder who was elected at the conciliar. Possessed insight, the gift to work miracles.
- Hieromonk Nikon, a disciple and follower of Elder Barsanuphius, showed the gift of asceticism in the Optina Hermitage after its closure.
- Archimandrite Isaac II - the last rector of the monastery, during which it was completely destroyed. Courageously, with faith and love for God and people, he endured all hardships.
Prayers of the Optina Elders
Appeal in prayer to every elder - with all my heart and with all sincerity - helps to heal from spiritual anxieties, anger, aggression. And also ask the Lord for relatives and children.
One of the most powerful and effective prayers is "At the beginning of the day." It is she who most of all helps to tune in in the morning in a peaceful way, to find harmony, calmness.
Thanks to the power of the text itself, as well as the absolute faith of the addressee, the internal state gradually improves, stability in stressful situations increases, sleep improves, communication with people is harmonized.
The most important condition for reading this and other prayers of the elders is sincerity and understanding of every word spoken. The state during the conversion is important to be meditative, as calm as possible.
There is a full and abbreviated prayer of the elders "At the beginning of the day".
Full text of the prayer
Recommended time for uttering this appeal is the beginning of the day. The prayer of the elders can also be read along with other prayers. The main thing is to have clarity of consciousness, understanding the essence of each word, faith, sincerity.
Prayer address should always be a moment of triumph, holiness and goodness, without memorization and monotonous mumbling. If the text is not remembered (partially or completely), you can read from a sheet or pronounce some places in your own words. It is important to do this with pure thoughts and fervent faith in the Lord and his help.
The text of the complete prayer “At the beginning of the day” helps to fill the heart and soul with wisdom, harmony, joy, the right attitude for the new day and all its events and deeds.
Short text of the prayer of the elders
Every day it is better to say the full prayer, but sometimes you can replace it with an abbreviated version. The meaning does not change, it just takes less time to read.
This version, just like the full one, brings into strong resonance the heart and soul of the one who prays with heavenly purity and holiness. It has a powerful power to harmonize and tune a person to a positive perception of everything that happens in a new day.
Evening prayer of the Optina Elders
Just like in the morning, it will be effective to turn to the Lord through the prayer of the elders "At the end of the day." If for some reason it is not possible to read the words, you can turn on the audio or video recording.
In any case, prayer fills the soul and heart of a person with pure energy and warmth, regardless of the form of address.
Many believers note that after regularly turning to God through this prayer of the elders, their worldview improved,attitude towards others, inner peace and confidence appeared, and a positive attitude to life was formed.
This prayer helps everyone to respond correctly to the daily difficulties and unpleasant situations that arise on the life path of any person.
For better efficiency, before reading the prayer, it is recommended to go to the temple - repent and take communion, thus tuning in to silence and holiness.
It costs 3 times to pronounce the appeal all alone. It is recommended to do this in a separate room so that no one interferes. And the result will not be long in coming. The main thing is faith and sincerity.
Prayer for he alth
Also, the prayers of the elders help to heal not only spiritually, but also physically. If he alth problems arise, the person himself, his relatives or children can turn to the Lord in prayer and ask for physical healing.
The elders do not have a special prayer for this, but the text of the full or short prayer “For the beginning of the day” will do.
Prayer for children
Miraculous is the appeal in prayer of the Optina elders for children - St. Ambrose.
After all, it is known that a mother's prayer is capable of much: to revive, and to get from the bottom of the sea, and heal.
Also, parents pray for their children to set them on the right path, especially in difficult situations. Teach how to properly interact with elders, honor God.
Great joy for parents - children! Andthe task of praying for them is goodness and happiness.
Prayer from resentment and anger
There is a prayer of the elders of Optina Pustyn for forgiveness of insults, aggression, anger, which can unconsciously settle in a person's heart and cause pain. This contributes to the fact that both he alth and life may deteriorate, which is unnatural for the Almighty, who encourages everyone to live in joy, happiness, grace.
In this appeal to the Lord, at the very beginning, there is a request to drive away all negative thoughts from a person, to have mercy, and also to help keep the mind clean - both the one asking and the one who caused resentment and anger. For great is the Name of God to those who love Him.
Prayer of the elders for the suicidal
One of the serious prayers is an appeal to the Lord for those people who took their own lives of their own free will. This is considered a great sin before life and the Almighty.
To ease the soul of such a person, his living relatives can pray for him, as well as give alms to the poor.
This prayer is also recommended for those loved ones who passed away without repentance or were not baptized.
The prayer begins with the words about the recovery by the Lord of the soul of the deceased. What follows is a plea for pardon.
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The prayers of the Optina elders for every day and special ones are a great spiritual heritage for modern humanity, which has such a powerful and life-giving power that one cannot wish for better.
They help heal - spiritually and physically,tune in to a new day or good night, cleanse yourself of negative feelings and thoughts. And also ask for children and loved ones.
And whatever prayer is read, it is important that it be with love, sincerity, faith in the Lord.
