One of the most famous elders serving in the Pskov-Caves Monastery was Father Savva Ostapenko. It was this man who became a kind of beacon of hope. His connection with God and love for others attracted many people who were looking for wise advice, support and just someone who would sincerely relate to them.
Especially these traits were important in the 20th century. It was during this period that people lost contact with the Almighty. The authorities punished such an initiative, but still the human heart demanded the presence of a spiritual blessing, which was more than handed out by shiigumen Savva Ostapenko. Photos, interesting facts, the spiritual path and the difficult life of a monk will be presented in this article.
Birth and childhood
Nikolai Mikhailovich Ostapenko was born on November 11, 1898. Little Kolya was brought up in a Christian family. His parents (Mikhail and Ekaterina) told him about God from childhood and taught him to pray.
People lived in fullharmony, believed in God and sincerely prayed. In addition to Nikolai, seven more children grew up in the family. Mother was a very kind and unusually sincere person. Her love for people was boundless. An example of this is the fact that a woman could give the last meal to a begging old man. Such situations have arisen repeatedly. But the woman sincerely believed that the Lord would help her children, and they would not go hungry. Oddly enough, this is exactly what happened, the family was poor, but they did not have to starve. That was the real miracle.
The birth of a dream
When Nikolai was six years old, the parents decided to send the child to a church school. Science was easy, the boy had obvious abilities. Therefore, the study quickly dragged him on, every day his interest increased more and more. Over time, the little matured boy began to serve the priests in the church, and also sing in the choir. All this was easy, because he had the ability and great desire to do just that. These classes gradually brought little Nikolai closer to God, he began to dream more and more about serving the Lord and did everything necessary to fulfill his small, but not at all childish dream. It was not surprising to anyone that Kolya admitted that that dreams of being a monk. But such dreams were not for his age, because Nikolai was then quite a boy. Such an adult mind surprised the parents, but they were happy for their child.
Fatal Case
Once in one of the cold winter days, Kolya went to the river, where he fell into the hole. Naturally, the water wasicy, and the boy was soaked to the skin. But, thank God, he was rescued and sent home as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, it was not possible to avoid a cold. By evening, the temperature had risen, because of which it was not possible to sleep. In such delirium, Nikolai saw a vision in which a man appeared to him in the guise of a priest, and after a few minutes he realized that this man was him. After that, the boy quickly went on the mend and soon got on his feet.
Education
From the day of that vision, more than one year has passed, time has dragged on, but the cherished dream has not come true. This greatly upset the young man, but he did not stop in his labors. He grew spiritually, prayed and continued to help people around him. All this in small steps led him to his cherished dream.
This rather young boy knew the gospel practically by heart. In particular, he loved to read the Gospel of John, and in any free moment he picked up this particular book.
Already at the age of 13, Nikolai managed to graduate from college. And at the age of 16, the young man was called ahead of schedule to serve in the imperial army. If you take into account the track record, then thanks to its chronology, you can find out that since 1917, Nikolai entered the service of the Red Army. At the end of the Civil War, he decided to continue his military path and therefore entered the military technical school. After graduating from college, Kolya acquired the title of military technician, and even went to work in his new speci alty. In 1932, Nikolai decided to continue his studies,therefore, he was enrolled in the Moscow Construction Institute, which he also graduated with success.
Work activity
He worked as a civil engineer, holding this position until 1945. Despite the fact that all these years Nikolai lived in the world, the ordinary life of a person, he did not forget about his own dream and faith in God. Not for a day did he stop praying and with small steps approached his cherished dream.
Already soon Nikolai met Elder Hilarion. It was he who became an assistant, mentor and just a kindred person at the beginning of Nikolai's spiritual path. It was Illarion who helped make the dream come true.
The fact is that the war brought a lot of grief. People died in every family. It was hard and painful. All these sorrows began to awaken faith in God in people.
Last Steps to Monasticism
At the age of 48, Nikolai makes an incredibly important decision for himself - to enter a theological seminary. There he became a true example. Diligence, diligence, a sincere and kind heart - this is what helped Nikolai become the best. Spiritual life reigned in him, and thanks to such inspiration, many considered him strange and even tried to joke. But in case of trouble, they always ran to him for help. And he never refused or held a grudge against a joke.
After graduating from the seminary, Nikolai was invited to serve in the temple, but a childhood dream took over, and he headed for the monastery. Monasticism was a reasonable decision, he wanted to pray for the world and for each person individually. It was important to himnecessary for the soul.
Finally, he came to his dream: Nikolai Mikhailovich was admitted to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Initially, he was accepted for obedience, but this period was passed quickly and with success. Obedience was easy, although there were temptations and more. But how can you betray a childhood dream? Something that took so long to reach, about which my heart ached. That is why everything passed in one breath, and others saw and understood it.
New name - new destiny
He soon took the tonsure.
Got a new name, a new life. And now Nikolai could forget about his worldly name, he is Savva. Oddly enough, little Kolya dreamed of this name, and the Lord heard his prayers. From that moment Savva was in an inseparable union with God. The life of a priest in the monastery was not easy. A huge number of trials, temptations and the like fell to his lot. Batiushka supervised the construction of the temple, he had to take on the most difficult work. For such efforts and the desire to develop, he was awarded another obedience, namely, to be the confessor of the pilgrims.
Batiushka was very kind, sincerely worried about the people around him, who did not understand what they were doing. He prayed daily for people in the world, asking the Lord to grant them enlightenment of the mind. He tried to explain the truth of every sinful act, no, he did not scold, but he tried to convey the truth with kindness.
Persecution
Soon he became a hieromonk. The power of the father's prayer wasincredible. Every day more and more people gathered near the temple, who dreamed of Savva's blessing. He lovingly tried to hear everyone, to give advice in a difficult situation. So the fame of this incredible holy father spread throughout the cities. This situation did not suit the authorities. They tried to threaten him, slandered him, many troubles fell on his head. Subsequently, it was decided to send Father Savva as far as possible. So Saint Savva Ostapenko ended up in the Pskov-Pechersk monastery.
But even here there were people who did not understand the priest. It was difficult for him, a lot of suffering fell to his lot. He loved every person. But this love was special, to each his own. Thus, he treated the stronger ones with all severity, trying to elevate their spirituality. But with spiritually weak people, Elder Savva Ostapenko treated them the way they treat people stricken with illness.
Instructions
He did not like verbosity, and it was useless. Even the longest story can be told in a few sentences. This is exactly what he demanded. Savoy wrote a huge number of books that are aimed at helping a person come to God. The path is far from close, hard and thorny, but still there is a right loophole, and if you go without turning, you can go to a beautiful meadow where the Lord will meet his child. This is what he tried to prove by his own example. His journey has been incredibly difficult. He went through a lot and still remained faithful to a small childhood dream that worked a miracle. Until his last dayslife, the priest remained disliked by the authorities.
On July 27, 1980, Savva's father died, this sad news was announced to everyone by the bell ringing. At that moment, next to him were his spiritual children, who knew how kind and incredible the father was. With his hands the Lord worked miracles, everyone could feel it. This day turned out to be mournful for the brethren, but at the same time, having gone through a whole series of trials and persecutions, Savva deserved to rest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And his children still sincerely pray for his stay there.
Savva Ostapenko left a great legacy. The quotes of the holy father still help many to find the right direction on the spiritual path. Batiushka always asked for justice, honesty and selflessness. He taught people that you need to be strict with yourself, but condescending to others. And if anger covers, then it is better to leave completely silently. Schemagumen Savva Ostapenko gave many teachings. The biography of the holy father was not easy, but these difficulties helped the saint not only come to the Lord himself, but also guide others on the true path.
