Alexander Grenkov was one of the eight children of a village sexton. A gifted child learned to read from the psalter. In his youth he entered a theological school, where he did well. He was especially gifted with languages, dead and living.
The talented young man was sent to study at the seminary. There he fell seriously ill and vowed to enter a monastery if he recovered. The illness subsided, but Alexander was in no hurry to fulfill his vow. He taught ancient Greek at a theological school in Lipetsk.
However, Alexander was tormented by a troubled conscience. He sought advice from the ascetic Hilarion. He ordered him to go to Optina Pustyn.
Alexander left his position and entered the Optina Monastery as a novice.
Having taken monastic vows, he began to be called Ambrose. He was soon ordained a hieromonk. And then he fell ill again, so seriously that on the verge of death he accepted the schema. And he immediately began to recover. However, he was never able to fully recover.
Infirmity did not prevent the monk from participating in a great undertaking: the publication of spiritual literature. Well educated, possessing amazing wisdom, Ambrose conducted active correspondence on publishing matters. Several dozen people visited him every day. For everyone, the elder found consolation, the right word or practical advice.
Another significant project of the elder was the arrangement of a convent in Shamordino. It was a large monastery, with a school for girls, a shelter for orphans and the infirm, and a hospital.
Ambrose loved this monastery and always went there for the summer. There he died.
The body was transported to Optina Pustyn and buried in the Vvedensky Cathedral.
In 1988, the Monk Ambrose was canonized. And exactly 10 years later, his relics were found. He still resides in the Vvedensky Cathedral, in the chapel of St. Ambrose.
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