The Venerable Optina Elders. Lives. Teachings

Lives of the Venerable Optina Elders:
01 - Venerable Lev
02 - Venerable Makarion
03 - Venerable Moses
04 - Venerable Antony
05 - Venerable Hilarion
06 - Venerable Ambrose
07 - Venerable Anatoly (Elder)
08 - Venerable Issaaky I
09 - Venerable Joseph

Instructions of the Optina Elders:
01 - Venerable Varsonofy
02 - Venerable Anatoly (Junior)
03 - Venerable Nectary
04 - Venerable Nikon
05 - Venerable Issaaky II
06 - Of the Venerable Lev
07 - Of the Venerable Moses
08 - Of the Venerable Antony
09 - Of the Venerable Hilarion
10 - Of the Venerable Ambrose
11 - Of the Venerable Anatoly
12 - Of the Venerable Joseph
13 - Of the Venerable Varsonofy
14 - Of the Venerable Anatoly
15 - Of the Venerable Nikon
16 - Prayer of the Optina Elders

PRAYER OF THE OPTINA ELDERS FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY
Lord, give me with inner peace to meet everything that the coming day brings me. Give me wholly to submit to Your holy will.
At every hour of this day instruct and support me.
Whatever news I may receive during the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and a firm conviction that for everything—Your holy will is done. Guide my thoughts and feelings in all my words and deeds.
In all unforeseen circumstances, do not let me forget that everything is sent by You. Teach me to act directly and wisely with every member of my family, not troubling anyone, not upsetting anyone.
Lord, give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day and all the events during it. Guide my will and teach me to pray, to hope, to believe, to endure, to forgive, to give thanks, and to love everyone. Amen.

Optina Pustyn is much more than an architectural, cultural, or historical monument. A hundred years ago, in the time of its flourishing, it attracted pilgrims with its high spiritual life—a whole galaxy of great elders—because before the era of eldership, Optina Pustyn was in no way distinguished. In the Orthodox ascetic tradition, an elder is a Christian (usually—a monk) who, by the Lord’s grace, has been granted the gifts of the Holy Spirit through his ascetical life: the gift of spiritual discernment, foresight, healing, and miracles. People turned to them on all matters, and through the elders the will of God became known—so it is so important to follow what was said, however paradoxical it may seem. “The elders are called seers, indicating that they can see the future,” said Elder Varsonofy to his spiritual child. “Yes, great grace is given to eldership—that is the gift of discernment. It is the greatest gift given by God to a person. They have, besides physical eyes, spiritual eyes as well—before which the human soul is revealed. Before a person even thinks, before any thought arises in him, they see it with their spiritual eyes, even seeing the reason for such a thought. Nothing is hidden from them. Here, you live in Petersburg, and you think I don’t see you. When I want to, I will see everything you do and think.” Thousands found in him support and comfort. Among the visitors were F. M. Dostoevsky, V. S. Solovyov, K. N. Leontiev, Grand Prince Konstantin Konstantinovich Romanov.