In the hustle and bustle of life, people get tired of the endless pursuit of happiness. Everyone sees happiness in their own way: a lot of money, he alth, family, children, a loved one - you can go on for a long time. But exhausted in an attempt to reach the horizon, a person stops and begins to look in another direction - in religion. And in each of them there are examples of spiritual insight, renunciation and achievement that attracts desperate souls. The elders of the Optina Monastery are one of the revered saints in Orthodox Russia. They received the fame of healers of souls, and therefore every day pilgrims come to their monastery to communicate with the shrine.
How to get there?
The Optinskaya Hermitage, where the monastery is located, is located near Moscow, in the Kaluga region, five kilometers from the city of Kozelsk. To visit the holy monastery, you can sign up for a pilgrimage group, which is collected from parishioners and everyone who wants to at many Orthodox churches. You can drive to the monastery of the Optina Hermitage on your own - both by bus and by train.
Buses depart fromMoscow bus station "Teply Stan", which is located at the metro station of the same name. In the directions Moscow - Kozelsk, Moscow - Sosensky buses depart daily according to the schedule. Breaks between bus departures range from 15 to 40 minutes. The direction Moscow - Sosensky is the most convenient, because the bus drives directly to the parking lot of the Optina Monastery. In addition, Kozelsk can be reached from Kaluga and Voronezh, and transit routes through Kaluga can also help travelers: Moscow - Bryansk, Moscow - Voronezh, Moscow - Orel, Moscow - Smolensk, Moscow - Tula, Moscow - Kirov, etc.
If pilgrims choose trains, they can get on them to Kaluga, and then by bus to Kozelsk. By the way, Kaluga-1 railway station is located next to the bus station. Also, electric trains run daily from Moscow from the Kievsky railway station to Kaluga.
Pilgrims who decide to travel by private car need to get to the Kaluga-Kozelsk highway. Kyiv and Kaluga highways lead from Moscow, as well as a route that runs through the city of Podolsk. From the southern regions, you need to go in the direction of Moscow, turn to Tula, and then Tula - Kaluga, Kaluga - Kozelsk. From the Belarusian direction they reach Vyazma in the Smolensk region, and then to Kaluga, where they go over the bridge over the Oka to the Kaluga-Kozelsk highway.
Why do people go to the Optina Hermitage?
Four types of people turn to God: those who are in trouble; sincerely seeking; those who want to get rich; inquisitive.
A person in trouble seeks help and support from the mighty of this world, fromrelatives and friends, and when he did not get what he expected, he turns to God. In a state of weakness and despair, the soul is able to open itself towards the spiritual. Therefore, some people bless the trials that fall to their lot, because through them it is easier to surrender to the Lord.
The sincere seekers are those people who want to find God for His own sake, i.e. the Almighty is needed not to solve everyday problems, not for we alth, but in order to know Him, love Him, surrender and serve Him.
The next category of believers are those who want to get rich in this world and therefore worship God. This motive is not welcomed in many religions, considering it mercantile and far from spirituality. And few people admit it, but when things go uphill and a person receives material we alth, he is glad and grateful to God for this. In Hinduism, for example, this motive is not shameful, and many Hindus worship Shiva or His son Ganesha in the hope of material gain.
The inquisitive are people who turn to God out of curiosity. They talk and argue about Him so much, so many wars happened because of Him… The material world created by Him causes interest, so there is a desire to know more about Him.
Based on the main motives for turning to God, we can say that these same motives determine the reasons for pilgrimage to holy places. Believers and the curious come to the Optina Monastery, where the relics of the holy elders are located, to pray for their troubles, to ask for help, to be nourished by God's grace, or simply toexcursion.
How and why exactly did this place become the abode of holy people? How did it all start?
How it all began
According to historical data, at the end of the 14th century, a robber named Opta strongly repented of his sins and decided to live a monastic life: in solitude, fasting and prayers. To do this, he goes into the dense forest and arranges a cell for himself on the banks of the Zhizdra River. Several monks gather around him, and a monastery is organized in this place. In monastic vows, Opta takes the name Macarius, and until the 17th century, the Optina Monastery was called Makarievskaya Hermitage.
Due to the difficult financial situation in 1724, the monastery was disbanded by the highest order, but already in 1726, by decree of Catherine I, it was reopened. From 1741 to 1854 the Optina Hermitage was actively built. Temples, outbuildings, a library and a skete appear, where hermit monks live, leading a reclusive lifestyle.
Ups and downs
All spiritual life is in charge of the elders, thanks to whom a highly spiritual life is established in the holy monastery. Pilgrims flocked to Optina Hermitage, where the Optina Monastery was located, from all over. So it was the spiritual center of Russia until the October Revolution of 1917.
In 1918, the Optina Monastery was abolished, and the monastery held out for another five years under the guise of an agricultural artel, which was closed in 1923. From that moment on, throughout the entire period of Soviet power, Optina Hermitage underwent many changes. First, the territory of the holy monasterywas a museum, then a rest home named after Gorky, then a concentration camp for the Poles "Kozelsk-1" was made from it. From 1941 to 1944, a hospital was located here, and after that - a camp for people who returned from captivity. In the post-war years, a military unit was located on the territory of the monastery. The Orthodox Church of Optina was returned in 1987. Since then, the Optina Hermitage, where the monastery is located, has been completely restored thanks to the efforts of the monks.
Who are the elders
An elder is a special type of monasticism, which consisted in worshiping God in solitude, in the desert. The beginning of eldership takes from the time of John the Baptist and is one of the main forms of worship in Orthodox Christianity. A secluded way of life away from the bustle of the world allows you to completely immerse yourself in prayer and worship. Elderhood is "the fruit of silence and contemplation of God." As a result of their ascetic labors, the elders had the gift of spiritual foresight and healing. F. M. Dostoevsky said:
An elder is one who takes your soul, your will into his soul and into his will. Having chosen an elder, you renounce your will and give it to him in complete obedience, with complete self-renunciation. This temptation, this terrible school of life, the one who condemns himself accepts voluntarily, in the hope, after a long temptation, to conquer himself, to master himself so that he can finally achieve, through obedience to all life, already perfect freedom, that is, freedom from himself, to avoid the fate of those who lived all their lives, but did not find themselves in themselves. This invention, that is, eldership, is not theoretical, but derived in the East from practice, in ourtime is already a thousand years old.
The elders, despite their way of life, have always helped all the suffering: with spiritual advice, support in times of spiritual decline, healed the soul and body.
In Russia, the revival of eldership after some decline is associated with the name of Paisiy Velichkovsky (1722-1794), who wrote works on mental prayer and made many translations of patristic works. Paisiy Velichkovsky and his disciples breathed new life into monasticism in Russia. One of his disciples, Schemamonk Theodore, instructed Hieromonk Leonid (L. V. Nagolkin), who became the first elder of the Optina Monastery under the name of the Monk Leo of Optina.
Optinsky Elders
The elder differs from the theologian, sage and priest erudite in the holy writings in that he has a special divine grace, insight and clairvoyance. The elders of the monastery of the Optina Hermitage were also distinguished by this.
During the centennial history of monasticism from 1820 to 1923, 14 elders were replaced in Optina:
- hieroschemamonk Leo (Nagolkin, 1768-1841);
- hieroschemamonk Macarius (Ivanov, 1788-1860);
- Schiarchimandrite Moses (Putilov, 1782-1862);
- Shiigumen Anthony (Putilov, 1795-1865);
- hieroschemamonk Hilarion (Ponomarev, 1805-1873);
- hieroschemamonk Ambrose (Grenkov, 1812-1891);
- hieroschemamonk Anatoly (Zertsalov, 1824-1894);
- Schiarchimandrite Isaac (Antimonov, 1810-1894);
- hieroschemamonk Joseph (Litovkin, 1834-1911);
- Schiarchimandrite Varsonofy (Plikhankov,1845-1913);
- hieroschemamonk Anatoly (Potapov, 1855-1922);
- hieroschemamonk Nectarius of Optina (1853-1928);
- Hieromonk Nikon (Belyaev, 1888-1931);
- Archimandrite Isaac II (Bobrakov, 1865-1938).
Spiritual succession was carried out thanks to benevolent love, obedience of the younger ones and care of the elders. Eldership in the Optina Monastery was based on three rules:
- Studying the holy scriptures, writings of the holy fathers and applying knowledge in life.
- The elder controlled the inner and outer life of the monastery.
- Help and selfless service to all who suffer.
These rules are still in effect.
Optinsky ancestors of elders
Before the arrival of Hieromonk Leo (Nagolkin), the monks in Optina Hermitage were zealous in external monastic activities (reading psalms, vigil, prayer with obeisances, fasting) and neglected their inner life. Everyone remained with his own opinion and lived according to his own concepts. No one in Optina, except for the Putilov brothers, Rev. Moses and Anthony, knew about eldership, about the labors of ascetic monks, about the need for spiritual guidance from an experienced elder.
The Monk Leo of Optina in the spiritual practice of the monks begins to focus on strengthening the spirit and fighting passions. For this, in addition to the obligatory reading of the holy scriptures and writings of the holy fathers, a confession of a monk to his spiritual mentor is introduced. Confession meant opening one's heart, confessing in all shameful thoughts and deeds. Spiritual guidance wasin the elder's benevolent analysis of the monk's vices and weaknesses and instructions on how to overcome them. The obligatory obedience of the younger to the elders and the loving care of the elders for the younger became the key to the success and prosperity of the elders in Optina Hermitage. But not everyone welcomed the new rules.
Some monks, accustomed over the years to external ritual activities and did not understand the importance of the inner life, negatively perceived the innovations. Letters with complaints against the Monk Leo of Optina rained down on higher authorities. With due humility and understanding, he endured all the persecution of himself both from the authorities and from the monks, but did not back down from his work, continuing to introduce senile life in Optina.
Feature of Optina Pustyn
Through the efforts of the Monk Leo of Optina and his followers Hieroschemamonk Macarius (Ivanov), Schema-Archimandrite Moses (Putilov), Schemagumen Anthony (Putilov) and others, only in Optina an atmosphere of highly spiritual life was established, where more than one or two elders possessed divine qualities, but all the brethren were one.
The Optina Pustyn is famous for attracting the most educated minds of Russia of that time. Many writers - Gogol, Dostoevsky and others - came to the Optina Monastery, where the elders were, for spiritual guidance and help. In turn, the writers rendered all possible assistance in translating and printing the books of the holy ascetic fathers. Thanks to the efforts of the elders throughout the heyday of the Optina Hermitage, patristic works were published, and the spiritual word through books is gracefullyspread throughout Russia.
Father Ambrose
It is impossible to single out a ray of the sun and say that it is the best and sunniest. So among the elders it is impossible to single out someone and say that he was better than the rest. Each of them provided spiritual assistance to both the monastic people and the laity. However, it is impossible not to mention the Monk Ambrose of Optina. He arrived at the monastery of Optina Hermitage as a young man, with the blessing of the Kaluga elder Hilarion.
All his subsequent life is an example of humility based on Divine love. Father Ambrose for many years was the cell-attendant of the Monk Leo of Optina, who, out of special affection for him and for educational purposes, was very strict with the novice. Many monks stood up for Father Ambrose when the elder scolded him in public and could kick him out of his cell. But then he told the remaining visitors: “The man will be great.”
So it happened. Father Ambrose lost his he alth at a young age, and all spiritual rebirth took place against the background of overcoming physical weakness and pain. At the age of 36, for he alth reasons, he was released from monastic obedience and worship. For many years, Father Ambrose struggled with illness, while providing spiritual assistance to all who suffer.
Under his leadership (and he was then already at an advanced age) in the village of Shamordino, the Optina Convent was founded. He was special too. In Russia at that time, it was customary that women who could pay for their stay there or make an initial contribution for the needs of the monastery went to women's monasteries. Women from a simple estate, who did not have the means, but who wanted to devote their lives to God, did not have such an opportunity. The monastery in Shamordino, with the blessing of Father Ambrose, received widows, orphans and the sick who were in extreme poverty. Together with them, highly educated and we althy nuns lived in the monastery. Under the auspices of Father Ambrose, up to 500 people lived in the Shamorda convent.
Gift of eldership
Father Ambrose had the gift of clairvoyance, omniscience and healing. Every day pilgrims came to him with their problems and illnesses. And the holy elder did not refuse anyone, even if it concerned everyday issues. There is a known case when one of the parishioners started talking about plumbing for apple trees. Father Arseniy spoke with inspiration about the construction of such a water supply system, which he seemed to have heard from someone. The parishioner did everything as the elder described, and received a rich harvest of apples, while the harvest of the neighbors practically died. Later it turned out that the elder told about the most progressive method of plumbing.
The old man healed as if by the way: he would read a prayer, make a cross, and sometimes just knock - and the pain goes away, never returning. Father Ambrose did not like very much when they said that he heals people, sometimes he even got angry. To such praises addressed to him, he invariably answered that it was not he who healed, but the Blessed Mother of God.
People from all over Russia came to the elder for spiritual guidance. Every day from morning until evening, despite his physical infirmity, he took andFather Ambrose spiritually nourished thirsty souls. In his instructions, a deep spiritual experience, exemplary humility and grace-filled love are visible:
Don't look for any gifts, but rather try to assimilate the mother of talents - humility - this is stronger.
If someone offends you, do not tell anyone except the old man, and you will be peaceful. Bow to everyone, regardless of whether they bow to you or not. You need to humble yourself before everyone and consider yourself worse than everyone. If we have not committed the crimes that others have committed, then this may be because we did not have the opportunity to do so - the situation and circumstances were different. In every man there is something good and kind; we usually see only vices in people, but we don’t see anything good.
Miraculous prayers
The elders left a rich legacy of spiritual guidance, among which the prayers of the Optina Monastery stand out.
Prayer of the Optina elders at the beginning of the day:
God, let me meet with peace of mind whatever the coming day brings me. Let me completely surrender to Your holy will. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in everything. Whatever news I receive during the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and firm conviction that everything is Thy holy will. In all my words and deeds guide my thoughts and feelings. In all unforeseen cases, do not let me forget that everything is sent down by You. Teach me to act directly and reasonably with each member of my family, without embarrassing or upsetting anyone. Lord, give me strength to endure fatiguethe coming day and all events during the day. Guide my will and teach me to pray, believe, hope, endure, forgive and love. Amen.
Optinsky hermitage today
In Optina Hermitage, even today they managed to revive and preserve the spirit of eldership. This happened thanks to Elder Eli, who has the gift of clairvoyance, healing and great spiritual strength. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to its spiritual light. Father Eli is also the spiritual mentor of Russian Patriarch Kirill.
The elder's prayer has miraculous power. There was such a case with a private wounded in Chechnya. The bullet lodged in millimeters from the heart, and the fighter himself was unconscious. Doctors did not dare to operate on him in this condition. Thanks to the prayer of the elder, the patient came to his senses, and the doctors gained confidence. The operation was successful and the fighter recovered.
In addition, in 1991 the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in St. Petersburg became the courtyard of the Optina Monastery. In parallel with the restoration of the temple, the monastic service was also revived. Now the largest library of spiritual literature, the Institute of Religious Studies and Church Arts operate in the courtyard. The temple also has workshops where they teach icon painting, church singing, etc. In 1996, a choir of professional singers who graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory was organized at the courtyard of the Optina Monastery. The male choir "Optina Pustyn" revives the ancient traditions of church singing.
Everyone who comes to the holy monastery celebrates a special blessed andpeaceful atmosphere of the monastery. Simplicity and peace, communion with saints - this is what the soul aspires to in the Optina Hermitage. The monastery gives pilgrims what they are looking for, so the flow of people seeking to visit the holy place does not dry up.
