Elders of Optina

19th – 20th century spiritual guides connected to the Optina Monastery in Russia

About the Elders

• https://stpaisiusmonastery.org/about-the-monastery/life-of-st-paisius/optina-elders/
• https://orthochristian.com/65171.html

Lives of the Elders

1. Elder Moses (1782–1862)
   • First superior of the new St. John the Forerunner Skete under the protection of Optina monastery. ¹
   • Abbot for 36 years ¹
   • Hot-tempered by nature but acquired meekness through struggle in prayer.¹
   • Brother of Elder Anthony (see below)
   • Known for his strict asceticism.
   • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Moses_of_Optina
   • https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2017/06/saint-moses-of-optina-1862.html
   • https://www.holycross.org/products/elder-moses-of-optina
   • http://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/eldermosesletters.aspx
     
2. Elder Anthony (1795–1865)
   • Life-long disciple of brother, Elder Moses (see above) ¹
   • Not strong physically but endured hardships of the monastic life with “extreme fortitude”. ¹
   • Known for focusing on inner spirituality and the “prayer of the heart.”
   • Influenced many laypeople, including writers like Gogol.
   • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Anthony_of_Optina
   • https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2013/08/07/148992-venerable-anthony-of-optina
   • https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/Elder-Anthony-of-Optina-p/ant.htm
     
3. Elder Leonid (1768–1841)
   • First to function as an “elder” in the hermitage ¹
   • Close relationship with Elder Macarius (see below), whom he made his successor ¹
   • Brought the tradition of eldership (starets) to Optina.
   • Known for his wise counsel and humility and was quite popular among many people seeking spiritual guidance.
   • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Leonid_of_Optina
   • https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/10/11/148998-venerable-leonid-of-optina
   • https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/leo.htm
     
4. Elder Macarius (1788–1860)
   • Well-read in patristics ¹
   • Expanded on Elder Leonid’s work as his successor
   • Compiled the “Dobrotolubiye,” the Russian version of the Philokalia, a collection of texts on Christian spiritual practice.
   • Helped guide the most famous Optina Elder Ambrose (see below).
   • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Macarius_of_Optina
   • https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2016/09/07/148999-venerable-macarius-of-optina
   • https://orthochristian.com/73803.html
   • https://www.amazon.com/Elder-Macarius-Optina-Leonid-Kavelin/dp/0938635581
     
5. Elder Hilarion (1805–1873)
   • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Hilarion_of_Optina
   • https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2013/09/18/148994-venerable-hilarion-of-optina
   • https://orthochristian.com/74049.html
     
6. Elder Ambrose (1812–1891)
   • Established Shamardino, a community that received the poor, destitute, blind, lame and sick. ¹
   • Highly venerated, even during his lifetime.
   • Influenced Russian intellectuals and writers, including Dostoevsky and Tolstoy.
   • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Ambrose_of_Optina
   • https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/10/10/102934-venerable-ambrose-of-optina
   • https://orthochristian.com/87016.html
   • https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/Elder-Ambrose-of-Optina-p/amb.htm
     
7. Elder Anatole I (1824–1894)
   • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Anatolius_I_of_Optina
   • https://orthochristian.com/63600.html
     
8. Elder Joseph (1837–1911)
   • Served as Elder Ambrose’s cell attendant for over 20 years before succeeding him as elder at Optina. ¹
   • Often to be of the same mind of Elder Ambrose (see above). ¹
   • Known for his wise spiritual guidance and pastoral care.
   • Helped maintain monastic life during a challenging period for the church.
   • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Joseph_(Litovkin)_of_Optina
   • https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/05/09/148995-venerable-joseph-of-optina
   • https://orthochristian.com/103588.html
     
9. Elder Barsanuphius (1845–1913)
   • Former army general entered monastic life at age 45. ¹
   • Disciple of Elder Nektary of Optina (see below)
   • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Barsanuphius_of_Optina
   • https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/04/01/148993-venerable-barsanuphius-of-optina
   • https://orthochristian.com/145691.html
   • https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/Elder-Barsanuphius-of-Optina-p/bars.htm
     
10. Elder Anatole II the Younger (1855–1922)
    • https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/07/30/148991-venerable-anatole-ii-of-optina
    • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Anatolius_II_of_Optina
    • https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/Elder-Anatole-the-Younger-of-Optina-p/ana.htm
      
11. Elder Nektary (1853–1928)
    • Last of the classic Optina Elders.
    • Preserved the tradition during tumultuous times, including the beginning of the Soviet era.
    • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nectarius_of_Optina
    • https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/04/29/149001-venerable-nectarius-of-optina
    • https://orthochristian.com/103380.html
    • https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/Elder-Nikon-of-Optina-p/nik.htm
    • Passed on Optina spirituality to America by way of Bishop Nectary of Seattle ¹
      
12. Elder Nikon (1888-1931)
    • Close disciple and secretary of Elder Barsanuphius (see above).
    • https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nikon_of_Optina
    • https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/06/25/149002-venerable-nikon-of-optina
    • https://www.orthodox.net/russiannm/nicon-and-clement-hieroconfessors-of-optina.html
      
13. Elder Sebastian (1884-1966)
    • Disciple of both Elder Joseph and Elder Nektary (see above).
    • After the closure of Optina Monastery in 1923, Elder Sebastian matured rapidly into a truly compassionate pastor.
    • Suffered arrest and imprisonment by the communists in 1933
    • Sentenced to ten years in the Karaganda concentration camps of Kazakhstan.
    • https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/product-p/seb.htm
      

History and Teachings

• Spiritual Treasure in Filthy Rags: An Introduction to the Paisian Tradition Through the Optina Elders
• Living without Hypocrisy: Spiritual Counsels of the Holy Elders
• https://orthochristian.com/71829.html

Sayings

• https://orthochristian.com/74512.html

Troparion — Tone 1

Let us praise the God-pleasing Optina elders, Who blossomed forth in the ascetic life like fruit-bearing trees in the garden of the Church, Who were deemed worthy to share in the grace-filled life of the fathers, Who once shone forth in the Holy Land and on Athos. And let us cry out to them: Rejoice, O holy elders, radiant beacons, guiding all to salvation!

Troparion — Tone 6

O lamps of the Orthodox Faith, unshakable pillars of monasticism, / intercessors for the land of Russia, Venerable Elders of Optina, / who acquired the love of Christ and devoted your lives to your children; / entreat the Lord that your earthly homeland may be established in Orthodoxy and piety, and that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion — Tone 4

Truly wondrous is God in His Saints, Who revealed the Hermitage of Optina as a garden of eldership, / where the God-enlightened Fathers, knowing the secrets of the human heart, became valiant protectors of the people of God; / for they set those burdened by sin on the path of repentance, / enlightening those whose faith was wavering with the light of Christ’s teachings, / and teaching them the wisdom of God, / they felt compassion for the sick and healed them. / Now, in God’s glory, they pray unceasingly for our souls.

Feast Day(s)

October 11th

Icon image source: https://orthochristian.com/49439.html

Sources:

1 – Spiritual Treasure in Filthy Rags by Nun Macaria