On October 24, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Council of the Reverend Optina Elders, a holiday in which the spiritual height of the monastic feat and living, heartfelt service to people were combined. The strict name hides the story of how the walls of one monastery from generation to generation passed the ability to be a support for those who are difficult.
The optina of the deserts became a place where old age did not just exist as a tradition, but became a real school of mercy and sober spiritual outlook. The elders did not seek fame and loud words — their strength was in attentive listening, in the ability to see behind the external bustle the real pain of a person and suggest the way without imposing it. That is why not only ordinary pilgrims came to them, but also people who used to rely only on their own minds: writers, philosophers looking for answers to the most difficult questions.
The history of the celebration developed gradually. At first, the Church glorified individual ascetics, and the first among them was the hieroschemonic Ambrose — his name became almost a household name for the image of a wise, loving and patient mentor. Later, other elders joined it, and in 2016, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, a single day of remembrance was established – the Cathedral of All Saints, who shone in Optina of the Desert. On this day, not only the famous elders of the XIX century are remembered, but also those who remained faithful to the faith during the years of persecution: the holy martyrs and confessors who passed through prisons, exiles and executions.
In the Cathedral there is a whole gallery of destinies, unlike each other, but united by one vocation. The founder of senility in Optina, the hieroschimones Leo, could see through man and speak directly, but without cruelty. His successor, Hieroschemon Macarius, together with the brethren, initiated a great publishing business: translations of patristic works were published in the monastery so that spiritual wisdom was available not only to monks, but also to laity. Schiarchimandrite Moses cared not only about prayer, but also about the earthly structure of the monastery: under him, the monastery acquired the appearance that we know from old photographs, and became a place where they could come for help and advice.
Among the elders there were former military men and people from various classes – each brought his own experience to the monastery, but learned the main thing: humility and love. Hieroschemons Anatoly consoled and supported the sisters of the Shamordinsky monastery, Hieroschemons Joseph, a disciple of Ambrose, amazed his contemporaries with his inner silence, and schiarchimandrite Varsonofy was not afraid to be where it is most difficult — including at the fronts. The last optinist ascetics, such as Hieromonk Nikon and Archimandrite Isaac, took upon themselves the burden of a time when faith was no longer simply condemned, but destroyed. Their life was a testament to the fact that even when the walls collapsed and the usual supports disappeared, faith remained alive.
Today, their memory lives not only in books and lives. In Optina, the desert still receives pilgrims, the same prayers are heard, and the letters and teachings of the elders are read as letters from a loved one who knows what it is like to stand at a crossroads. People come to them with a variety of requests: someone is looking for advice in family matters, someone — the strength to survive the loss, someone just wants to feel that he is not alone. And there is nothing small in these requests: it is in everyday difficulties that quiet, firm support is especially needed.
For news material, it is important to emphasize that this holiday is not about the distant past. It is about the fact that the spiritual tradition is based on people who knew how to be close. On the day of the Cathedral, special prayers sound in the churches, in which the elders are called “comforters of the Russian land” and “lanterns of faith.” But the meaning of the holiday is not limited to worship: it is to remember how much simple human attention means, the ability to listen and say the right words.
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