About clairvoyance and its false gift

Where do the most famous modern elders live?

Archimandrite Kirill (Pavlov)

This year the fraternal confessor of the Sergius Lavra celebrates his 95th anniversary. He was the confessor of two previous patriarchs - Pimen and Alexy II. Due to age, it accepts pilgrims in very limited numbers. Rumor has it that he is the same Sergeant Pavlov, whose name is given to the legendary house in Volgograd that did not surrender to the Nazis.

Schema-Archimandrite Iliy (Nozdrin)

He is the only person to whom Patriarch Kirill himself bows his head as a sign of deepest respect. 5 years ago, the newly elected Patriarch of All Rus' asked Father Elijah to move to his residence in Peredelkino. Since that time, the monk spends most of his time in the residence of the patriarch near Moscow, in a small separate house along with several other monks, where he receives those who wish. But sometimes he goes to his native Optina Pustyn, where he also receives people.

Father Vlasiy (Peregontsev)

A man of incredible destiny, who received the nickname “perceptive” - everyone who communicated with him assures him that he sees people through and through. Confesses from time to time. But there are 700 people in line every day, so you need to prepare yourself for a long wait and come to the monastery for several days.

Archimandrite Ambrose (Yurasov)

Prayers for the Gift of the Word and the Gift of Insight

Prayers to Saint Lucian
The Monk Lucian himself had not only a touching gift of speech, but also the gift of clairvoyance, with which he penetrated the future. Thus, three years in advance, he predicted a terrible pestilence and often said to the people with tears: “O true believers, repent, for the great wrath of God is coming and the Lord will send a deadly plague.”
Prayer
O sacred head, reverend father, blessed Abvo Lucian, do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God: remember your flock, which you yourself shepherded, and do not forget to visit your children, pray for us, father sacred, for your spiritual children, as you have boldness towards the Heavenly King: do not keep silent to the Lord for us, and do not despise us, who honor you with faith and love: remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for You have been given the grace to pray for us.
We do not imagine that you are dead: even though you have passed away from us in body, but remain alive even after death, do not depart from us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of the demonic and the machinations of the devil, to our good shepherd even more than the relics your cancer is always visible before our eyes, but your holy soul with the angelic hosts, with the disembodied faces, with the heavenly powers, standing at the throne of the Almighty, worthily rejoices, knowing that you are truly alive even after death, we fall down to you and we pray to you:
pray for us to Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, so that we may pass from earth to heaven without restraint, and from bitter ordeals, demons of air princes and from eternal torment, may we be delivered from eternal torment, and may we be heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous , from all eternity have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ: to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father, and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion to the Saint, tone 8
In you, Father, it is known that you were saved in the image of the cross, for you followed Christ, and you taught in deed to despise the flesh, for it comes: be diligent about the souls, the things more immortal: in the same way your spirit rejoices with the Angels, Rev. Lucian.
Kontakion to the Saint, tone 2
Having divinely armed yourself with spiritual purity, and having firmly handed over unceasing prayers like a copy, you prosecuted the demonic host of Lucian, pray unceasingly for all of us.
Greatness to the Reverend
We bless you, Reverend Father Lucian, and honor your holy memory, teacher of monks and interlocutor of Angels.
Prayer to all saints and ethereal heavenly powers
Holy God and rest in the saints, glorified by the thrice-holy voice in heaven from Angels, praised on earth by man in His saints: having given grace to each by Thy Holy Spirit according to the bestowal of Christ, and by that ordaining Thy holy Church to be Apostles, prophets, and evangelists , you are shepherds and teachers, preaching in their own words.
You yourself, who act all in all, have accomplished many holiness in every generation and generation, having pleased you with various virtues, and leaving us with an image of your good deeds, in the joy that has passed, prepare, in it the temptations themselves were, and help us who are attacked.
Remembering all these saints and praising their godly lives, I praise You Himself, who acted in them, and believing in Your goodness, the gift of being, I diligently pray to You, Holy of Holies, grant to me a sinner to follow their teaching, moreover, by Your all-effective grace, heavenly ones with them be worthy of glory, praising Your most holy name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Niphon of Cyprus
The Monk Niphon, Bishop of Cyprus (IV), was born in Paphlagonia and received his education in Constantinople. As a child, he was meek and kind, often attending church services. But in his youth he began to lead a riotous and sinful life. At times, coming to his senses, he was horrified by the depth of his fall, but, believing that he could no longer receive forgiveness, he continued his wicked life. One day he met his friend, who looked at his face with surprise for a long time. When Nifont asked why he was surprised, his friend replied: “I have never seen such a face on you before, it is black, like an Ethiopian.” These words showed Niphon the depth of his fall, and he began to appeal to the Mother of God, asking for Her intercession.
After a long prayer, he saw that the Face of the Mother of God on the holy icon brightened and She smiled.
Since then, Niphon constantly prayed to the Queen of Heaven. If he fell into sin, the Face of the Mother of God turned away from him, and after repentant tears and prayer she again looked mercifully at him. Finally, Nifont completely changed his life and began to spend time in prayer and repentance. After an illness, from which he received healing with the help of the Mother of God, he partook of the Holy Mysteries, then took monastic vows and intensified his exploits, exhausting his body in the fight against passions.
This struggle was long-term; Saint Niphon was attacked by demons many times, but with the help of God he overcame them. From the Lord he received the gift of discerning the machinations of evil spirits and defeating them, as well as seeing the outcome of souls after death. Already in old age, having come to Alexandria, he was indicated in a vision to the Patriarch as worthy to accept the episcopal rank. He was made bishop of the city of Constantia in Cyprus. However, he did not remain a bishop for long. Saint Niphon learned about the time of his death in three days. Before his death, Saint Athanasius the Great visited him. On his deathbed, the saint was honored to see the Angels and the Most Pure Mother of God.
Read a common prayer to the saints
Prayer 1
Reverend Father (name of rivers)! Look upon us mercifully and lead those who are devoted to the earth to the heights of heaven. You are a mountain in heaven, we are on earth below, removed from you, not only by place, but by our sins and iniquities, but we run to you and cry: instruct us to walk in your path, enlighten us and guide us.
Your entire holy life has been a mirror of every virtue. Do not stop, servant of God, crying to the Lord for us. By your intercession, ask our All-Merciful God for the peace of His Church, under the sign of the militant cross, agreement in faith and unity of wisdom, destruction of vanity and schism, affirmation in good deeds, healing for the sick, consolation for the sad, intercession for the offended, help for the needy.
Do not disgrace us, who come to you with faith. All Orthodox Christians, having performed your miracles and beneficent mercies, confess you to be their patron and intercessor.
Reveal your ancient mercies, and to whom you helped the Father, do not reject us, their children, who are marching towards you in their footsteps. Standing before your most honorable icon, as I live for you, we fall down and pray: accept our prayers and offer them up on the altar of God’s mercy, so that we may receive your grace and timely help in our needs.
Strengthen our cowardice and confirm us in faith, so that we undoubtedly hope to receive all the good things from the mercy of the Master through your prayers. O. great servant of God! Help all of us who flow to you with faith through your intercession to the Lord, and guide us all in peace and repentance, end our lives and move with hope into the blessed bosom of Abraham. where you now rest joyfully in your labors and struggles, glorifying God with all the saints, in the Trinity of glories, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer 2
Oh, sacred head, reverend father, most blessed Abvo (name of the rivers), do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in your holy and auspicious prayers to God. Remember your flock, which you yourself shepherded, and do not forget to visit your children.
Pray for us, holy father, for your spiritual children, as if you have boldness towards the Heavenly King, do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us, who honor you with faith and love. Remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us.
We do not think that you are dead, even though you passed away from us in body, but you remained alive even after death. Do not give up on us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of the devil and the snares of the devil, our good shepherd. Even though your relics are always visible before our eyes, your holy soul with the angelic hosts, with the disembodied faces, with the heavenly powers, standing at the Almighty Throne, rejoices with dignity.
Knowing that you are truly alive even after death, we bow down to you and pray to you: pray for us to Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, so that we may pass from earth to heaven without restraint, from the bitter ordeals of the demons of the air princes and may we be delivered from eternal torment, and may we be heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous, who from all eternity have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever and ever. Amen.
Troparion to Saint Niphon of Cyprus
TROPARION, TONE 8
In you, father, it is known that you were saved in the image: for you accepted the cross, you followed Christ, and in your deed you taught to despise the flesh: for it passes away, but be careful about the souls, things without mortals. Likewise, the angels rejoice, Reverend (name of the rivers), your spirit.
IN TROPARION, TONE 1
Desert dweller, and in the flesh an angel, and a miracle worker, you appeared, Our God-bearing Father (name of the rivers), by fasting, vigil, and prayer, you received heavenly gifts, healing the sick and the souls of those who come to you by faith. Glory to Him who gave you strength, glory to Him who crowned you, glory to Him who heals you all.
IP TROPAR, VOICE 8
With the flows of your tears you cultivated the barren desert, and you brought forth fruit from the depths with sighs of a hundred labors, and you were a lamp of the universe, shining miracles, (the name of the rivers), our father, pray to Christ God to save our souls.
IP TROPAR, VOICE 4
God our father, always deal with us according to Your meekness; do not forsake Your mercy from us. but with their prayers guide our belly in peace
KONDAC, VOICE 2
Having armed yourself with the purity of your soul, Divine, and unceasing prayers, like a copy, having handed over firmly, you prosecuted the demonic army, (name of the rivers), our father, pray unceasingly for all of us.
GREATNESS
We bless you, Reverend Father (name of the rivers), and honor your holy memory, mentor of monks and interlocutor of angels.
Prayer to Saints Niphon of Cyprus, Maruf of Mesopotamia and Lawrence of Turov
Holy, reverend fathers Niphonte of Cyprus, Maruthe of Mesopotamia and Lawrence of Turov! Pray with me and for me, the servant of God (name), beseeching God from His mercy, that He may mercifully hear me asking for His goodness, and not leave me with all the necessary petitions for salvation and life, and the Christian end of my life will be painless, shameless, May I partake of peace and the Divine Mysteries, and through the grace of God and your warm intercession, always remain in good health in soul and body, I glorify the God of Israel, wondrous in His saints, who does not withdraw His help from us, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE FROM GOD FROM PREDICTIONS FROM DEMONS?

People are greatly impressed by the phenomenon of serendipity when, for example, a person whom they see for the first time in their life suddenly begins to tell what happened in their life or even what thoughts are in their head. The Holy Fathers described how demons can do this.

“I noticed,” writes St. John Climacus, “that the demon of vanity, having instilled thoughts in one brother, at the same time reveals them to another, who incites him to tell the first brother what is in his heart, and through this pleases him as a seer.” You need to understand that the devil cannot know a person’s own thoughts, that is, “read” them, but he knows the thoughts that he himself inspires in a person, and can also guess from some external signs what a person’s thoughts are heading towards at the moment . However, this is enough to create the illusion of “omniscience” in the eyes of the gullible.”

Having the experience of thousands of years of deception, knowing humanity and each person separately, demons easily manipulate (suggest, replace) the thoughts of their victims. A person does not even suspect that a thought that comes to him from outside is appropriated by him as his own. But an even greater secret for him is that someone already knows about her. This can be seen in a person’s reaction and behavior. And demons actively take advantage of this, if they are allowed.

The devil does not know the future, because, like all other spirits and demons, he is involved in created reality, being himself created. He lives in time, for him there is also a past, present and future. True knowledge of the future is available only to God, who alone is outside of time, and to those to whom God reveals something about the future. St. John Climacus says that “the devil knows nothing by foreknowledge,” but he tries very hard to create the illusion that he knows the future, and through people who have surrendered to him, he makes many prophecies and predictions.

The devil does not know what will actually happen and how, but he can make predictions. And if people’s predictions sometimes come true quite accurately - for example, a doctor can predict the development of a disease - then it is not surprising if some of the demonic predictions sometimes come true . They have much more knowledge about our world and have been observing people for much longer than any human specialist. But their “prophecies” are only assumptions based on past experience and knowledge, and not true knowledge of the future. In addition, demonic predictions sometimes come true because demons can realize their own predictions, as far as the Lord allows them.

Demonic predictions differ from the predictions made by saints by revelation from God in two points.

Firstly, they, like any forecasts, cannot be one hundred percent accurate and are only partially fulfilled : some fortune-telling “come true”, and some do not.

Secondly, like human forecasts, demonic ones can more or less accurately “hit the target” only if they are given for a relatively short period of time. But the longer in advance one has to make assumptions, the more unknowns come into play and the more difficult it is to accurately predict the outcome of events. Therefore, pagan and occult fortune-tellers either hesitate to speak about events that will occur centuries later; or, if they decide, they clothe their predictions in such vague and vague descriptions - like, for example, Nostradamus - that all specifics are lost and then, if desired, you can tailor any events to these words.

The devil, in order to confuse believers, often tries to distract Orthodox Christians from God with various miracles that are performed in front of them or even through them. Therefore, one should be guided by the Lord’s command to look at the fruits, for “a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:18). And if we hear about a miracle or even experience it ourselves in our lives, then we need to figure out what the consequence of this miracle was: did it lead us to God, to repentance, did it make us spiritually better, or did it lead to cooling, to pride , to fall, strife and other sins. In other words, if we get used to looking at God more than any miracle, and desiring Him more than any miracles, then we will not be mistaken regarding what the devil is trying to deceive us with.

Many ordinary people do not notice the serious difference between occult activities: unusual abilities, clairvoyance, healing through passes, verbal formulas - and the activities of saints who, for example, healed by laying on of hands or, saying a prayer, performed amazing miracles and showed supernatural abilities. And seeing the similarity with holiness, starting from this similarity, they justify the occult itself. Nevertheless, the difference between one and the other is as great as the difference between heaven and hell, even if the abilities of the saint and the occultist were outwardly similar.

The saints never specifically sought special, unique gifts, and the purpose of their lives was never miracles or supernatural abilities - healing, insight, control over the elements, etc. The most important thing that their hearts were looking for was life with God and in God .

Among the saints there were people with very different characters, different spiritual qualities, abilities and talents. But all of them are united by the main thing - faithfulness to God in any circumstances of earthly life, faithfulness in thoughts and feelings of the heart. Accordingly, the saints eliminated in themselves everything that interfered with being with God, that is, moral shortcomings, spiritual imperfections, sins and vices. God abides with a pure soul, and where God is, there is His almighty help. Therefore, supernatural abilities were given to the saints by God in response to love for Him, given as a gift that cannot be used for selfish purposes, but only for greater service to God in the world of people.

Saints reveal within themselves not mysterious abilities, prana, aura or biofields, but the image of Christ, demonstrating those spiritual virtues to which every Christian is called in the Gospel. Having acquired the virtues revealed by Christ, revealing the image of Christ in themselves, the saints naturally perform miracles given to people by Christ. Their life is likeness to God in moral purity and righteousness. Being like Him in purity and righteousness, they borrow similar power from the Similar One.

Occultists , on the other hand, follow a completely different path: they develop “hidden abilities” in themselves through psychophysical training or receive them from invisible spirits through initiation - a special dedication. Without cleansing themselves from sin, they, like arrogant demons, already acquire supernatural gifts : clairvoyance, influence on the nature around us or the state of other people, the ability to contact the invisible world, etc. Not having, unlike the saints, the communion of the grace of the Spirit Saints, occultists turn , even with the visible similarity of their actions with the miracles of saints, to the help of negative spiritual energies. Energy, from a Christian point of view, is never faceless; it presupposes its carrier.

Saints are people who have acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit, which enlightens the heart. The saint perceives the will of God about a specific person and, based on this, already acts. A holy man does not start from himself, his abilities and personal providence, but from Divine will and revelation. Accordingly, he does not heal with his own biofields, aura and other mysticism, or rather, it would be more accurate to say that the saint does not heal himself at all, but turns to God, who gives all that is beneficial to those in need. The saints did not heal everyone and not the one whom they themselves wanted, but whom the Lord pointed out to them.

The Church teaches that any extrasensory abilities that a person may discover in himself are not his own abilities, but solely the influence of demons. Psychics, not being able to command demons, are only their passive carriers and servants. Without knowing it, these unfortunate people are essentially conductors of demonic energy: some consider it the energy of their own biofield, others consider it the impersonal cosmic energy spilled in the universe, which they have learned to accumulate, and still others consider it the energy sent to them by God Himself.

What is serendipity

The phenomenon of clairvoyance is given close attention both in Christian dogma and in scientific knowledge.

In religion

The Christian understanding of serendipity is based on the acquisition of lifelong divine grace through spiritual experience and righteous living. Elders who have dedicated their entire lives to serving the Lord get the opportunity to see the thoughts, feelings and actions of people. Constantly abiding in His saints, God gives them the opportunity to lead large masses of people to salvation.

Perspicacity is a gift that reflects the highest degree of human unity with God

Holy seers are often burdened by their gift. They can see all the darkest corners of the visitor’s soul, even those that the person who came for help is not aware of. Contemplation of human sinfulness brings suffering to bearers of the divine gift who strive for the light of the Kingdom of Heaven.

One type of spiritual insight is the gift of reasoning. It is characteristic of people who have been leading an ascetic lifestyle for a long time. Based on spiritual experience, ascetic elders are able to determine the source of the spiritual or physical phenomenon encountered by the visitor.

A unique form of clairvoyance is intellectual spiritual vision based on experimental knowledge of the teachings of the Fathers of the Church. A person who has studied the works of holy theologians for a long time is able to convey his knowledge to people in need. He guides them along the path that he has walked on his own.

In psychology

In psychological practice, two phenomena are distinguished that are similar in the nature of insight.

Serendipity is an instinctive insight that consists in the accidental discovery of a phenomenon or object in the process of searching for something else. The term was introduced into scientific circulation in the mid-18th century by the writer Horace Walpole, after reading an ancient Venetian tale about three brother princes from Serendip.

Serendipity - the ability to draw deep conclusions from random observations
Its action took place in a distant eastern country, whose ruler had three sons. They studied all known sciences, but could not use them in life. Then their father sent them to look around the world for many non-existent things. During this search, the brothers made many other interesting discoveries using reasoning, logic, and insight. Serendipity lies in the ability not only to see a new event or phenomenon, but also to understand its meaning.
Insight is a term that denotes a special psychological state of a person in which he finds an unexpected solution to an important problem. It manifests itself especially clearly in critical situations when a person experiences strong emotional stress. Literally this word is translated from English as “direct knowledge.” Another meaning of it may be “illumination, epiphany.” A person in a state of insight sees the picture of the surrounding reality as a whole, finding a solution to the problem based on existing experience.

Psychologists explain the phenomenon of “Christian insight” in terms of the manifestation of insight combined with serendipity.

In the Christian tradition

Origin

Where did the word “serendipity” come from in Russian speech? Is this a borrowed or native Russian language unit? The answer to this question can be found in the etymological dictionary, as well as with the help of numerous electronic resources.

You may be interested in: Dosimetry is... Concept, definition, fundamentals, methods of conducting research, norms, calculation rules and methods of protection against increased radiation

Firstly, it is about - a noun. It belongs to the feminine gender. This is an original Russian word. Derived from the noun “prozor”. It, in turn, comes from the verb “to foresee”, “to see”.

An excerpt characterizing Serendipity

Berg always spoke very precisely, calmly and courteously. His conversation always concerned himself alone; he always remained calmly silent while they were talking about something that had nothing directly to do with him. And he could remain silent in this way for several hours without experiencing or causing the slightest confusion in others. But as soon as the conversation concerned him personally, he began to speak at length and with visible pleasure. - Consider my position, Pyotr Nikolaich: if I were in the cavalry, I would receive no more than two hundred rubles a third, even with the rank of lieutenant; and now I get two hundred and thirty,” he said with a joyful, pleasant smile, looking at Shinshin and the count, as if it was obvious to him that his success would always be the main goal of the desires of all other people. “Besides, Pyotr Nikolaich, having joined the guard, I am visible,” Berg continued, “and vacancies in the guards infantry are much more frequent.” Then, figure out for yourself how I could make a living out of two hundred and thirty rubles. “And I’m putting it aside and sending it to my father,” he continued, starting the ring. “La balance y est... [The balance is established...] A German is threshing a loaf of bread on the butt, comme dit le proverbe, [as the proverb says],” Shinshin said, shifting the amber to the other side of his mouth and winked at the count. The Count burst out laughing. Other guests, seeing that Shinshin was talking, came up to listen. Berg, not noticing either ridicule or indifference, continued to talk about how by transferring to the guard he had already won a rank in front of his comrades in the corps, how in wartime a company commander can be killed, and he, remaining senior in the company, can very easily be company commander, and how everyone in the regiment loves him, and how his daddy is pleased with him. Berg apparently enjoyed telling all this, and did not seem to suspect that other people might also have their own interests. But everything he told was so sweetly sedate, the naivety of his young egoism was so obvious that he disarmed his listeners. - Well, father, you will be in action in both the infantry and the cavalry; “This is what I predict for you,” said Shinshin, patting him on the shoulder and lowering his legs from the ottoman. Berg smiled happily. The Count, followed by the guests, went into the living room. There was that time before a dinner party when the assembled guests do not begin a long conversation in anticipation of the call for appetizers, but at the same time consider it necessary to move and not remain silent in order to show that they are not at all impatient to sit down at the table. The owners glance at the door and occasionally glance at each other. From these glances, guests try to guess who or what else they are waiting for: an important relative who is late, or food that is not yet ripe. Pierre arrived just before dinner and sat awkwardly in the middle of the living room on the first available chair, blocking everyone's path. The Countess wanted to force him to speak, but he naively looked through his glasses around him, as if looking for someone, and answered all the Countess’s questions in monosyllables. He was shy and alone did not notice it. Most of the guests, who knew his story with the bear, looked curiously at this big, fat and humble man, wondering how such a bumpkin and modest man could do such a thing to a policeman.

Word stress

When the interpretation of the noun “insight” is clear, you should also pronounce it correctly. The point is that speaking is just as important as writing. It is necessary to pronounce words correctly so that listeners can understand what is being said.

In any etymological dictionary you can find the correct stress for any word. "Serendipity." This word consists of four syllables. It’s easy to count them: the number of vowels equals the number of syllables. This noun has three vowels "o" and one vowel "i".

It is important to note where the emphasis falls. In this word, the third syllable is stressed, that is, the vowel “and” must be emphasized with the voice. There are no other options.

Chapter 1 Elders of our time

Through the gaps

“The higher the ascetic stands on spiritual
stairs, the more difficult it is to write about him..."

The Optina fathers are humble. They preserve Optina monastic traditions. Praising a monk is the same as tripping a runner. While they are alive, everyone strives, but we judge a person’s holiness after his death. I read a good statement about this from the holy fathers: “Just before the harvest, hail can destroy the grapes, and a righteous person [can] sin before death. Therefore, do not rush to praise anyone.” I read and imagine large and fragrant bunches of grapes filled with juice. But there may be hail or snow...

This is probably why the Optina tale is passed on from mouth to mouth. They asked the elder, Father Elijah: “Father, is it true that all the Optina fathers are seers and miracle workers?” To which the elder replied with a smile: “I don’t know about seers, but definitely everyone is a miracle worker.”

Does this joke mean that there are no more elders in the monasteries? Thank God we didn’t die out! The Lord comforts His people, but these miracles are hidden, given out of need. In line for confession, a resident of Kozelsk, Elena, tells me how her neighbor recently stood in this line. I came to Abbot N with my grief: my son was missing. After listening to his sobbing mother, he went to the altar, prayed for a long time, and when he returned, he said: “Don’t cry, he’ll be back in a couple of days.” And indeed, on the second day the son appeared.

At obedience in the hotel, the servant of God Nadezhda told me about the same priest, how he persuaded one no longer very young woman to stay in the monastery. She did not listen to the persuasion, and the priest said: “What are you going to do there in the world, you will suffer, and even with a child.” It was completely unclear about the child, but it became clear when the woman was seduced and abandoned with the child by a visiting fellow, and she really suffered a lot.

The recognized elder of the Optina Hermitage is Father Eli (in the world Alexei Afanasyevich Nozdrin). When a person is still ascetic, it is better not to talk about his exploits and spiritual growth. But Father Iliy is an all-Russian elder, everyone knows about his insight. Therefore, his children and simple pilgrims share their experiences and experiences of meeting with the elder openly - they do not hide the lamp under a bushel...

The first story about the Optina elder Elijah was told to me at a joint obedience in the fraternal refectory of the Optina Hermitage by pilgrim Olga: “I wanted to ask the elder whether God’s will for my monasticism was, but I just couldn’t talk to him. And here I was standing after the service, suddenly the people began to move, pouring in after the elder who had come out. Someone wants to ask a question, someone wants to ask for prayers, someone just wants to be blessed. Well, I think I shouldn’t approach the old man.

And suddenly the people push me right behind the priest. Without thinking twice, I ask loudly: “Father, Father Eli! Will I be a nun? And the priest, without looking back, answers: “Yes, you will be a nun. You will definitely be a nun!” And he leaves, accompanied by the people. And I stay and feel how mistrust covers me, followed by despondency. The old man didn’t even look at me. I might as well have asked if I would be an astronaut.

In despondency I trudge towards the fraternal refectory. I stand and cry. There are still pilgrims standing nearby. Someone is waiting for their spiritual father. Someone is waiting for the elder. I stand without any hope. And suddenly Father Eli appears. Hands with notes immediately reach out to him, people vying with each other to ask questions. But the priest comes right up to me. He looks at me carefully and asks: “Well, have you already chosen a monastery where you want to live?”

At this point the narrator’s eyes become moistened - the priest consoled her! Although he did not look when asked, he sees a lot with spiritual vision. Hotel Elena shares with me: “How true is the proverb: “What we have, we don’t keep; when we lose, we cry”! Here was our Optina elder Father Elijah nearby - we did not fully appreciate this. If you come up sometimes, you will be blessed. And sometimes you look: how many people surrounded the priest - and you pass by, you think: you need to take care of the elder, not to annoy him again. And now he has gone far away - he is the confessor of the Patriarch himself - so how can you wait for his arrival! Like a red sun!”

We just grieved that the elder doesn’t come to Optina very often anymore, so he came. And they were blessed and gave the notes. I climb the stairs of the pilgrimage hotel, and Schema-Abbot Ily comes down to meet me. Two more sisters are standing on the stairs - like me, they are almost jumping for joy.

Father blessed us, talked a little with each of us, and in his hands he had spiritual books - just three. He gave it to one sister, another, and I’m next. And I stand and think: “I already have such a book.” Only yesterday Archdeacon Father Iliodor gave it to me.” Father Eli looked at me carefully, smiled... and did not give me the book. And from below a new pilgrim is already rising. He gave it to her.

Well, I think the priest sees everything! How I want to know more about him! If only someone else would tell about him!

The next day I go to Kaluga on business, return late and miss the bus. I called my spiritual father and explained that I was late. He answers me that there is an Optina car in Kaluga. Now he’ll go back to the monastery and they’ll capture me.

And here I am sitting next to the driver Sergei, still a young boy. Despite his youth, he has been working at the monastery for several years, now as a foreman at one of the monastery’s many construction sites. And it turns out that he is the child of Father Elijah.

- Brother, tell me at least a little about the old man! - I ask.

He agrees. And he tells me about his meetings with the elder.

At first, Seryozha did not always turn to the elder for a blessing. So I passed my license and started driving – without a blessing. “Why,” he thinks, “worry the old man about trifles, you never know how many worries he has! If you don’t report everything, they say you’ve become a driver!”

And Father Eli came from Greece and gives icons to everyone. And everyone is different. He will look at the person and go through the icons and take out one.

Sergei blessed the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Seryozha stepped aside and grumbled: “I have Nikolai Ugodnik at home! It would be better if Father gave me some other icon!” He turns the icon over, and on the reverse side is the driver’s prayer!

And standing next to him is an older man, it’s clear that this is his first time in Optina. He holds an icon of the healer Panteleimon in his hands and asks Sergei: “I just recently started going to church. Do you know what this icon is?” And Seryozha asks: “Are you, excuse me, in good health?” "Yes you! I'm seriously ill. To be honest, my illness brought me to church.” Sergei explained to him that people turn to the holy healer Panteleimon when they are sick.

And here’s what’s interesting: while Sergei kept the icon his father gave him in his car, the traffic police never stopped him.

And then I decided to take the icon home so that it would not fade in the sun. As soon as he took it away, his license was taken away for four months for violation. I didn’t understand how I violated it like that. Now he only drives with an icon - the priest’s blessing.

After this incident, he began to make all serious decisions only with the blessing of the elder - his spiritual father. I wanted to buy an old KamAZ. I saved money for a long time and got into debt. I also found a suitable KamAZ. I checked it – it’s still a good car! I went to the elder to be blessed. But the elder does not bless - without explanation. Well, what should I do, Sergey listened, and didn’t buy. Even though I was upset. But it turns out that he was upset in vain. It turns out there were some unnoticeable but serious problems with the car. And a week later the KamAZ broke down, in Seryozha’s words, “into the trash.”

And one day Sergei came to his spiritual father, and he said to him: “Well, my traveler, are you traveling?” “No,” Sergei replies, “there’s nowhere to go from the monastery.” The old man just smiled. Seryozha returns to Optina, and he is immediately sent to Voronezh, to Tikhon Zadonsky, the Voronezh miracle worker. I just recently returned. And I went to Kaluga. This is where we met him.

“Tell me something else,” I ask.

Sergei thinks for a moment:

- Well, I was going to get married several years ago. My fiancee announced that she wants to learn to act. He will go, they say, to deliver documents. You need to pay money. Well, I helped her with money. Conducted. I am waiting. And I was just starting to work for my father at a construction site. It was necessary to go load sand. And we were chosen in such a way that all the guys were healthy, tall, and I was the youngest, the shortest and thinnest.

And so Father Eli gave his blessing so that they could send me to load this sand. I still grumbled in my heart: well, I think my father has found someone to choose! But I went, of course. And so I’m driving - and I see my girlfriend with someone else. We had an explanation, after which we parted. Which I don’t regret at all now. She married this other man and is expecting a child. But I work in a monastery. Maybe I’ll move here completely. But I wanted to get married...

Well, we'll be there soon. Do you see how they passed the road unnoticed while talking? What else can I tell you - finally?

Just imagine, a recent incident: I’m working at a construction site, the concrete mixer is roaring with all its might. Father Eli arrives. Father never drives his car through the gate.

- Why doesn’t he move in?

- Well, how? He is very humble. He doesn't want to be like a boss. He always gets out of the car and starts opening the gate himself. He will greet everyone and bow to everyone. So this time he gets out of the car and approaches the gate. I opened one leaf of the heavy iron gate, and he began to open the second. And then he blessed me and asked: “Do you hear how they knock on the cross - knock-knock?”

I answer: “What are they knocking on, father, on what cross!” I can hardly hear your voice!” He smiled and walked away. And what do you think? Five minutes later I’m going to see Father John for some construction work, who’s not far away, about twenty meters away. And he beats a copper cross into his cell. And knocks - knock-knock. How it could be heard at such a distance, under the roar of a concrete mixer, I can’t imagine. Well, yes, the old man has a different hearing, not the same as you and I. Understand?

...I returned to Optina and the next day, after my obedience, I went into a bookstore. I see an interesting book by Archimandrite Rafail Karelin, “On the Path from Time to Eternity.” I bought this book, came to my cell, opened it to the first page I came across and read: “The higher an ascetic stands on the spiritual ladder, the more difficult it is to write about him... Because the spiritual sees the spiritual, but the spiritual does not see the spiritual. Only through some gaps can a person come into contact with the inner world of an ascetic as with a revelation of grace...”

Yes, only through some gaps...

Olga Rozhneva