Cathedral of St. Elders of Optina
Our heart is filled with inexplicable joy, and from the abundance of the heart our lips speak (Luke 6:45) about the greatness of spiritual achievement, the holiness of life and divine glory, the evangelical simplicity and active sacrificial love of the elders of the Optina monastery, which extended to all who came to them in sorrow and joy for help and advice.
For a whole century, Optina was a source of spiritual enlightenment for the entire Russian society: from unlearned simpletons to philosophers and writers, from peasants to royalty, from monastics to church hierarchs.
For all those who came here, the monastery was a healing spring that healed spiritual wounds; every pilgrim left here enlightened and transformed, strengthened spiritually, having written on the tablets of his heart for the rest of his life the evangelical love and holiness of the life of the Optina monks. Truly a marvelous feat of their lives, it is inscribed in the chronicle of Russian holiness.
In the glorification of God's saints, we see God's special blessing to us, the action of divine grace, strengthening every person and manifesting itself visibly through its chosen vessels on earth. We see evidence of an uninterrupted connection of times, which manifests itself through the spiritual experience of the elders of Optina Hermitage.
October 24 (October 11, old style) The Holy Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Council of the Optina Elders: Leo (Nagolkin) († 1841), Macarius (Ivanov) († 1860), Moses (Putilov) († 1862), Anthony (Putilov) († 1865), Hilarion (Ponomarev) († 1873), Ambrose (Grenkov) († 1891), Anatoly (Zertsalov) († 1894), Isaac (Antimonova) († 1894), Joseph (Litovkin) († 1911), Barsanuphia (Plikhankova) († 1913), Anatoly (Potapov) († 1922), Nektaria (Tikhonov) († 1928), Nikon (Belyaev), confessor († 1931), martyr. Isaacia (Bobrakova) († 1938).
Troparion of the Venerable Optina Elders, tone 6
The lamps of the Orthodox faith, the unshakable pillars of monasticism, the consolation of the Russian land, the venerable elders of Optinstia, who have acquired the love of Christ and laid down their souls for their children, pray to the Lord that your earthly Fatherland may establish your earthly Fatherland in Orthodoxy and piety and save our souls.
Kontakion of the Venerable Optina Elders, tone 4
Truly marvelous is God in His saints, the wilderness of Optina, like the helipad of eldership, revealed, where the divinely enlightened fathers, who knew the secret of the human heart, the sorrowful people of God appeared to the people of goodness: these, for those who were burdened with sin, were instructed on the path of repentance, those who wavered in faith were enlightened by the light of Christ’s teaching and taught God’s wisdom, to the suffering and the weak he gave mercy and granted healing. Now, abiding in the glory of God, we pray unceasingly for our souls.
The Greatness of the Optina Elders
We bless you, our reverend fathers, the Elders of Optinstia, and we honor your holy memory, mentor of monks, and interlocutor of angels.
Prayer to the venerable father and elder who shone in the Optina Hermitage
Oh, great saints of God, pillars and lamps of the Land of Russia, our reverend and God-bearing fathers Optinstia, Leo, Macarius, Moses, Anthony, Hilarion, Ambrose, Anatoly, Isaac and Joseph, Barsanuphius, Anatoly, Nektarios, Nikon and Isaac, according to the law of the Gospel She loved the Lord God with all her heart and with all her soul and with all her mind and for the salvation of all God’s people; For this reason, under the protection of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos, we came to the monastery of Optina, founded by a repentant thief, who came along the narrow and sorrowful path of humility and self-reproach until the end of your days, having also abundantly acquired the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit; old and young, noble and simple, wise of this age and weak-minded, deprived of no one from those who are coming to you, having let go of no one in vain and inconsolable, but with the light of the truth of Christ enlightening everyone and spiritually resurrecting them, your neighbors as yourself, who loved even those in your heart containing, according to the words of the Apostle, prophesying and edifying, exhorting and comforting. Pray to the Merciful Lord, into the heavenly abode of the prudent thief who has taken with him, to grant us, unworthy, like workers of the eleventh hour, a spirit of contrition, purification of the heart, guardianship of the mouth, righteousness of actions, humble wisdom, tears of repentance, unashamed faith, unfeigned love, peace of mind and physical health, may the Lord grant us a good answer at His Last Judgment through your intercession, saving us from eternal torment, and may the Kingdom of Heaven be honored with you forever and ever. Amen.
Canon to the Holy Venerable Ambrose, Elder of Optina and Wonderworker
Song a҃.
Irmos:
The chariot-driver of the Pharaohs conquered the world and sometimes the rod of the Red Cross struck and divided the sea: and the fugitive And the pedestrian is asleep, singing the song of God.
The Church is now triumphant, brightly celebrating your ancient memory, and with joy sings your praises with your song of praise, glorifying where, in our own way.
I came to know the sweetness of life in Christ and Neibin, I established the beauty of earthly blessings and this world, I just conquered myself ive bg҃ꙋ.
Who will honor your deeds, who have suffered everything for the sake of the Church, in pennies, vigils and for the sake of affirmation It's yours.
He rose in strength in the goodness of the commandments of the Christians and in his life Let's save our lives.
Bgorodichen:
Blessed Mother of God, Mary, extend your merciful right hands to help, praying for the dream of your god: fiercely, and on this point I place my hope, you will be generous.
Song of the city.
Irmos:
Confirm at the beginning of the world, and the earth on the waters, on the stone of the earth, hrⷭ҇tё, your commandments are firmly established, ꙗ҆ There is nothing more than you, who is more humane.
After the complete overthrow of his will and the passion of his society, he fell and gave himself over to the water the bodies of the old elders and the age of the gods.
In general, there are many beauties, I hope that your soul is pure, by the power of the whole life of a person and in the best possible way. ́ѧnїi ѡ҆blekshisѧ in hrⷭ҇tà.
He hated the riches of the decaying world and was a stranger and a stranger on earth, seeking the city of Nbⷭ҇naga, also home. until he brings you into the palace of his glory.
Please, don't leave us who care for you I appreciate the help.
Bgorodichen:
Hope is ours, the glory of the world, the blessed helper, the horn of the fortress, the horn of the ascension of the Orthodox and our people and all and various freedoms.
Sedalen, voice d:
The face of the monks will now glorify you, more so than our god, I honor your memory, and all the destroyer in the joy of triumph, honoring your purity in the virtues of your life and the many things you have done, and we all sing: bless you Help us with your prayers, ahmvrosie, well ours.
Bgorodichen:
Under your good heart flowing, we pray, dear Mother of God, do not despise our sobs and prayers, but quickly and relieve everyone’s sorrows Godless: you are the most famous god, and to you we all come running for salvation.
Song of the day.
Irmos:
You are my fortress, where you are, you are my strength, you are my god, you are my joy, you do not destroy the depths of my soul, and our poverty is visited ́въ. In the meantime, with a great cry, a call to you: glory to your strength, love of men.
The chosen one has been here because of our prayers and the healing of our wounds sinful and passions.
Know the power of prayer in the sleep of the day, which is why it is most useful for us to pray to the merciful and merciful deliverer of all.
The faith in the true Orthodoxy is strong in your people, which is the zealot of Christ's zealots.
What shall we repay to you, our most blessed one, for everything that we, your children, have repaid to those who have your honest memory.
Bgorodichen:
And from your precious loins, Mother of God, the word of God came unspeakable, which is better than ours, and we will deliver your prayers ꙋ of those: glory to your strength, where.
Song є҃.
Irmos:
All day long, the light is invisible, and the darkness has covered the place, but it is your brother. Me, and to the light of your commandments please direct me, I pray.
Enlightened by the light of Christ, the darkness of the error of sin has come to you, instruct in the light of the commandment of God them and us, darkened by passion.
The new light has risen from you, that is, on the land of Russia, illuminating everything with the light of divine love. Enlighten, God, us, your unworthy children, with the light of the commandments of Christ.
He loved his neighbor and supported the burden of sins and sorrows, so that he might see the light of truth and straighten his feet. to do the commandments of Christ.
We have inherited this kingdom, and where the celebratory voices are incessant and endless, the sweetness of those who see the faces of kindness is indescribable ꙋyu.
Bgorodichen:
Unclean agnitsa and bggotrokovitse maria, with your prayers we have strengthened, won the victory of all the forces: also for us, To those who trust in this, come quickly to help, so that all who work for God may be put to shame and fall.
Song of ѕ҃.
Irmos:
Cleanse the world, thank you, I have raised my sins, and from the depths I have raised, I pray: I have cried out to you, and hear me ̀, please save me.
A strong closure to all who come to your help in these days and sorrows, especially ours, ours The killers of the great one are older.
Deliver us from the deceit of the evil spirits and bring to light the depths of sin, and may the god of lawlessness cleanse us y ours and ҆ sleep ours.
How we appreciate your blessings to people, the suffering and the despised; How can we sing this song of gratitude; Let us now accept the song of praise of your unworthy children.
Visit our misfortunes by your grace, and heal our souls by the power of this greater grace, so that we may rise from the dead sleep of sin. vnaga.
Bgorodichen:
The hymn, chⷭ҇taѧ, and ҆з ᲂу҆҆́и yours embodied the gods, we glorify, ꙗ҆́кѡ bzh҃їyu darkness.
Kontakion, voice v҃:
The covenant of the shepherd and executor, the eldership of grace was inherited by you, the pain in the hearts of everyone who flows to you with faith, also And we, your children, with love cry out to you: More than this, we pray that God bless us.
Ikos.
He showed his good life and with his virtues he ignited the whole earth of Russia, he attracted all the ends to himself the qualities of ours, who fed your innumerable flocks of your faithful children, and looked upon them with love and love merciful. Having also gathered on the day of your death, in our honor we call: joyful, ascetic of goodness, perceiving the rich gifts of all Gaga: rejoice, the height of humility and patience, and also on your faithful children: rejoice, the fruitful tree, and nourished There are many blessings of eternal life: gladly, The colors of the blessed, loving, divine, who also comfort the sorrowful and sick. I am glad that this is the source of the blessings that have been created, and that the worst people are healing and dying: Yes, our bold intercessor before the righteous one: joyfully, our most glorious helper in all things. I'm glad, dear friend of all, the great elder of all.
Song z҃.
Irmos:
Bzh҃їѧ condescend with ѻ҆́гн ᲂу҆стѣ́сѧ in Vavѷlѡ́nѣ sometimes. now for the sake of the three in the cave with a joyful foot, in the face of flowers, singing: blessed are you, blessed are you on shikh.
He settled in the palace of the city and there he saw the glory of the ineffable God of God, calling: blessed be he, blessed be he. ours.
In the many centuries of this year, you glorify the great creator and where is the power, chanting: blessed be all, bless you This is ours.
With the faces of the A҆́gg҃lѡv and҆а҆рхагг҃лѡв stand before the face of the Almighty and there we silently sing: Blessed are you, God of ours ъ.
There is joy in the place where the good and faithful servant was on earth, and now you cry to all of us: Blessed are you Yes, it is ours.
Bgorodichen:
See, dear, my dear, the terrible wounds and I wanted to get it, and I couldn’t apply plasters, but I’m still alive I cry: I have mercy on you, the doctor of all and with your mother’s children, and let me sing: Blessed be the fruit of your womb.
Song and.
Irmos:
The sevenfold furnace of the Chaldean scourge kindled the godly frenzy, and with the power of the best of the Saviors, the Creator and the Redeemer It goes like this: Fathers, bless you, holy priests, sing praises, people, exalt to all ages.
The Church now rejoices, celebrates your blessed memory, more worthy of praise, and sings with joy: let all creation be blessed. He exalts Him forever.
Today a multitude of monks have gathered in the holy monks who honor your memory and sing with joy: may he bless all. the creature exalts him forever.
Shepherds and teachers have come to this destructive city, and where in virtue you have flourished, so: let the creation bless all This is where He exalts Him forever.
The old and the young, the strong and the weak, have now come to the house where we will glorify the holy elder and the holy father, crying: let him bless The creation always extols Him forever.
Bgorodichen:
To you, dear little city, from the water of life, from the depravity of all the world, from whom is good will and my heart of coolness, and Sprinkle the dew of prayer into the blood of your wings for all ages.
Song ѳ҃.
Irmos:
Oh, the horror of our family, and the earth’s ends, and our womb is carnal, and your womb is spacious. The newest thing. That's why they call the bureaucrats great.
Today the Orthodox Church preaches your deeds, praising your memory, praising you your agglo-like life.
Look down upon yourselves, our god, and upon your faithful people, and from above the help of all who worship the honest ones your image.
Hear the voice of our prayer, visit with mercy your illness and the helplessness of your children, who come to you with faith, the venerable one today Ours.
We fall in our loving hearts at your feet, great elder than our earth, we ask and pray: do not forget to visit those most honorable your memory.
Bgorodichen:
What gifts will we bring to you, dear mother: and what to say and mother sinners: that is, we cry out in prayer: God bless your servants ̑, God bless you, let us magnify you in your dreams.
Luminous:
The monastic way of life and choice is immutable, and in the world of this world with the glory of the world, infused into the world Dear children, more than our avrosie, and prospered the countryside, we call your memory you: be our assistant and protector in troubles and those who mourn.
Bgorodichen:
Gladly, we call you, blessed two mother of God, for whom you bring the joys of the communion. The life of our and our sleep is inconceivable and exceeds the nature of the birth, now for the sake of the unceasing labor of birth, ꙗ As before I prophesied it.
