The Day of the Optina Elders is celebrated annually on October 24th. What great personalities were the elders of Optina Pustyn?
Who is the Optina Elder?
The progenitor of the Optina eldership was the elder Pasy Velichkovsky. His disciple Leo is the first Optina Elder, who led a whole movement of monks who moved to live in a monastery, the rector of which at that time was Archimandrite Moses. Thanks to his merits, much was done in the monastery: hotels, refectories, a library, a mill, factories, buildings, horse yards and even walls with turrets were built. Archimandrite was helped by thousands of pilgrims who came to Optina Hermitage.
But the most important asset is the deepening into spirituality, which became possible thanks to the arrival of the elders Leo and Macarius. Since that time, the spiritual flowering began. What an amazing personality is this Optina Elder Lev?
Starets Optina - Reverend Leo
He was a man who lived in the interests of the people. He loved people very much and felt sorry for them in every possible way. No one could resist his intelligence and perspicacity, and tears of repentance rolled down from the eyes of everyone. Elder Leo truly healed people. The villagers accepted him as their father.
But not everyone was so welcomingold man. Some spiritual mentors forbade him to communicate with ordinary people. It was unfair, which only spoke of ignorance. Good deeds were quickly forgotten, and the elders at that time were pretty oppressed. Elder Leo's successor was hieromonk Father Macarius, who came from a noble family.
Rev. Macarius
Optinsky elder Macarius was engaged in economic activities throughout his adolescence. At first he worked as an accountant, later he decided to fully manage the economy, which he did not do so well. In all his troubles, he always turned to the Holy Scriptures, but he was often laughed at for this not only by the offenders, but also by his family. But one day the offenders of Macarius fell before him in repentance. Since then Macarius decided to devote the rest of his life to God. He went to the Ploschanskaya hermitage, where he took the tonsure. Upon the arrival of Elder Leo in Ploschanskaya Hermitage, Father Macarius accepted him as his spiritual teacher.
Optinsky Elder Macarius was a mentor of learned people and the intelligentsia. He mainly communicated with those who translated into Russian the works of Father Paisius and other ascetics.
The real heyday of the Optina Hermitage came thanks to Elder Ambrose, the successor of Father Leo and Macarius.
Father Ambrose
Grandpa Ambrose was a priest. The elder was born on one of the holidays, when there were many guests in his grandfather's house. Later, Ambrose often joked that he was born on people and lives all his life on people. Ambrose's upbringing took place in a church environment. He successfully graduated from the theological seminary due to his unique abilities. Ambrose began his mentoring path by accepting disciples at home. Later he became rector of the Lipetsk Theological School. A serious illness forced the elder to leave for a monastery. But, having recovered, Ambrose for some time still continued his worldly activities. Later, on the advice of Elder Hilarion, Ambrose went to Optina Hermitage, where he became an assistant to Father Macarius in publishing, since he knew 5 languages. Everything a monk did, he did it for the Lord. Everyone around noticed this and loved Ambrose dearly for this. Both the spiritual life and the practical one were successful for the monk. His advice, often given in jest, was quickly remembered. By all means, he tried to save human souls, sometimes even resorting to a whip and penances.
Miracles of healing
A special role in his life was played by the icon of the Mother of God "The Conqueror of Bread". Batiushka urged everyone to pray to her. So, he taught that the Mother of God takes care not only of the human soul, but also of the earthly needs of everyone.
Elder Ambrose was known as a great miracle worker. He healed many people from merciless diseases. During the time of the eldership of Ambrose, an intelligentsia began to emerge, the main idea of which was to change the political system of the country. But many were disappointed. The void in the souls of the idealists was skillfully filled by the Optina elder Ambrose. He revived the meaning of life in the minds of many people. Crowds stretched at that time to Optina Pustyn. Here people were charged with enthusiasm to live happily and without worries. visited thismonastery and artists, famous writers, politicians, philosophers.
Community activities
Elder Ambrose was engaged in asceticism for more than thirty years. For the last decades, he was engaged in the foundation and arrangement of the women's Shamorda monastery, in which more than a thousand nuns subsequently found peace. There was also a school, a hospital and an orphanage for girls. After the death of the elder, everyone plunged into sadness.
Optinsky Elder Joseph Reverend
It was Father Ambrose's closest companion. The elder raised him in his hut. From childhood, Joseph had the gift of seeing the saints. The Mother of God appeared to him. His favorite pastime was reading the Scriptures. When the boy's parents left this world, the merchant for whom he then worked wanted to marry his daughter to him. But the young man dreamed of a different life, a life wholly dedicated to the Lord. Then he decided to go to Elder Ambrose, and he urged him to stay in the monastery. For 30 years, Ambrose took care of Joseph with great love. After the death of Ambrose, Joseph became the rector of the convent in Shamordino. He received visitors, and many saw in him the personification of Father Ambrose himself.
During his life, the ascetic endured many trials. For many years he did not even have a place where he could retire in prayer. He lived right in the waiting room, which was constantly full of people, but all this only hardened him.
Elder Joseph was an ascetic. He practically did not eat, slept little, was content with old poor clothes. Butall this only developed his spiritual we alth. In return for the hardships, the Lord endowed him with the gift of clairvoyance and the ability to heal people. Crowds of pilgrims turned to him for help and advice. With just a few words, he could lift a stone from the soul, instruct and console. His gracious prayer covered all the suffering.
Elder Barsanuphius of Optina
Before his tonsure, Elder Barsanuphius led an active secular life. He was a colonel, leader of the Orenburg Cossacks. In a difficult moment of a fatal illness, the elder ordered to read the Holy Scriptures. At that moment, the heavens parted, and a healing bright light illuminated everything around. Something in the soul of the monk turned over. A heavenly voice told him to go to Optina Pustyn. People in the world did not want to let Barsanuphius go, trying to keep him with all sorts of titles. They wanted to make him a general and even marry him. But the elder easily overcame all difficulties and obstacles.
After ten years of monasticism, Barsanuphius received the status of hieromonk. After serving as a priest in the Russo-Japanese War, he returned to Optina Hermitage and headed the skete.
Many destinies were saved by the elder with his instructions, but not everyone liked his work. Many complaints were received against him, and he was removed from Optina Pustyn.
Elder Optina Anatoly
From early childhood, Elder Anatoly sought God and strove to live according to his laws. But his strict mother did not want him to go to the monastery. After her death, the elder immediatelywent to Optina Pustyn. Later, he took refuge with Elder Ambrose and became his novice. The venerable Optina elders brought him up in asceticism.
Father Ambrose asked Anatoly to help him, and he immediately plunged into active work. Among his Anatoly bore the nickname "Comforter". He received special recognition from the common people, especially from the peasants. But the nobility listened to his advice.
Nectarius of Optina
In his youth, Nektary (Nikolai) was a smart boy. He was an excellent worker in a merchant's shop. After the proposal of marriage, on the advice of the merchant, Nikolai went for a blessing to Feoktista, who advised him to go to Optina Pustyn. There, Father Hilarion met Nicholas and sent him to Ambrose, who convinced him to stay in the monastery.
In 1912 Nectarios was ordained an elder. But he did not accept this title until the last, humbly considering himself unworthy of it. The elder received many visitors in his little hut. To each he found his own approach. Some he gave instructions for a long time, while others simply left the books in the waiting room. While waiting for their turn, people read them and all their questions were answered. The intelligentsia and ordinary people for the elder did not have any differences. He treated both equally and spoke their languages.
In 1923 the monastery was closed, and Elder Nektary was taken under arrest. After his release, Nektariy went to the village of Kholmishchi, but even there he was pestered by people thirsting for advice.
In 1989, Optina Pustyn was revived, andthe relics of the elder Nectarios from Kholmish were brought here. Eyewitnesses said that a pleasant fragrance emanated from the relics of the elder, and they themselves had an amber color. Therefore, everyone who turned to the elder for help even after his death received his blessing.
The Optina elders left valuable teachings to the common people. Never condemn your loved ones, pray to the Lord for forgiveness for condemning your own brother. To achieve success, you always need to make an effort. A person should become a servant of his life, and not she should serve him. You should never become a slave to your senses. One should walk towards the Lord in the way of humility.
Many great deeds for mankind were accomplished by the last Optina Elders. One of them was Nikon.
Elder Nikon
Two brothers, Ivan and Nikolai, inherited from childhood the love for God instilled by their parents. Having matured, they decided to go to Optina Pustyn. Elder Barsanuphius immediately saw a special gift in Nicholas, so he took him on as his disciple.
In 1915, after taking the vows, Nikolai received the name Nikon. And already in 1917 he received the rank of hieromonk.
After the closure of Optina Hermitage, almost all the elders were expelled, some were arrested. Elder Nikon was instructed to receive parishioners wishing to confess. So he became the last Optina Elder.
Only the instructions of these God-chosen monks have survived to our time. The prayer of the Optina Elders plays a special role in the life of every Christian. This spiritual appeal to the Lord destroys all obstacles and helpsproperly tune your mind for the whole day ahead.
Prayer of the Optina elders complete
"Lord, let me meet with peace of mind everything that the coming day sends me. Lord, let me completely surrender to the will of your saint. Lord, at every hour of this day, instruct and support me in everything. Lord, what whatever news comes throughout the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and firm conviction that everything is your holy will. Lord, manifest your holy will for me and those around me. Lord, in all my deeds and thoughts, guide my feelings and thoughts. Lord, in all unforeseen situations, do not let me forget that all this has been sent down by You. Lord, teach me how to properly communicate with people close to me and those around me, older, younger and equal, so as not to upset anyone, but to bring good to everyone. Lord, give me strength to endure the fatigue of the present day and all the events of the day. Lord, guide my will, teach me to pray, believe, hope, endure, forgive and love."
In this version, you can say the prayer of the Optina Elders at the beginning of the day. But this prayer has a continuation.
Lord, don't leave me face to face with my enemies, but for the sake of Your Holy Name, guide me.
Lord, illuminate my heart and mind so that I can understand Your eternal laws that You govern the world, so that I can serve You and my fellowmen properly.
Lord, thank you for everything that was with me and will be, for I firmly believe that those who loveYou especially favor you. Lord, bless me in all words, thoughts and deeds, make me worthy to glorify You with joy, for only You are worthy and glorified forever and ever. Amen.
The prayer of the Optina Elders for the day charges with faith and gives protection. By reading it every day, many unresolved problems can be solved. The songs of the Optina Elders truly heal not only the body, but also the soul.
