Optina Pustyn can be called whatever you like: a symbol of Orthodoxy, a prayer place, a holy land - everything will correspond to reality. Its very location: proximity to Kozelsk, the city of Russian glory, which held a 7-week defense against the troops of the Golden Horde to the last inhabitant, suggests the presence of a special spirit on this land.

The emergence of the desert

Fencing the edge of the forest, made this corner ideal place for the followers of John the Baptist, who became famous also for being the first hermit, that is. Neither the date nor the history of the appearance of Optina Pustyn is known. But its names (the second - Makaryinskaya) testify in favor of the version of the dashing man Opt, who hunted robbery in the XIV century. Hiding from his pursuers, he just wanted to sit out in a quiet place, but the grace that descended on him turned his whole life as a robber. He became the first hermit Macarius. It can be assumed that the prayer of the Optina elders for every day is rooted precisely at this time.

For a long time Optina Pustyn was subjected to raids, seizures, devastation by the forces of external and internal enemies of Russia. And only in 1796, through the efforts of Metropolitan Plato, Father Abraham became the abbot of the monastery, during which the revival of the skete began and the appearance of the first elders, people who had reached certain heights of spiritual perfection.

The heyday of Optina desert

All-Russian glory, like the real flourishing of the monastery, began in the 20s of the 19th century, when the post of abbot was taken by Archimandrite Moses, a holy man and a wonderful business executive. Under him, Father Leo in 1829 officially founded the eldership. The monastic elders settled in a small skete, which was built in 1821. The companions of the founder of Optina Hermitage were the holy fathers Cleopa and Theodore. The prayer book was not yet complicated, and the prayer of the Optina elders for every day helped them in their labors. The importance of Optina Pustyn in the spiritual life of Russia is very great. Dostoevsky and Soloviev lived in it for a long time, gaining spiritual strength, Leo and Alexei Tolstoy visited it. "Father Sergius" was written under the impression of Optina Hermitage.

The cathedral is a unique phenomenon, a special form of holiness that has flourished in Optina Pustyn for 100 years. Something like this can only be found on Athos.

Cathedral of the Venerable Optina Elders

There were only 6 first elders, who appeared here in 1829 as hieroschemamonk (the title of a schema monk with a church rank) Leo brought the skete all-Russian glory, which did not fade away until 1917. There were 14 venerable elders in total, each of them added to the greatness of Optina Hermitage. All of them, possessing a special spirit, had the gift of clairvoyance, prophecy and miracles. Much of what they had predicted came true.

The legacy of the elders includes books, advice, letters, and prayers. The prayer of the Optina elders for every day is also part of this heritage. Isaac II (after him the elders were gone) and a number of his associates, the inhabitants of Optina Hermitage, were shot in 1937. The abbot of the skete, Nektarios, died in 1928 in his cell, warning of his arrest for one day.

The most difficult years of Orthodoxy in Russia

The fate of hundreds of members of the clergy in the 30s of the XX century was tragic. Therefore, the prayer of the last Optina elders contains only a prayer to the Lord for humility, for a calm and worthy acceptance of the challenges of reality, interpreting them as a manifestation of his will, a prayer for sending down spiritual strength, absence of doubts and the ability to overcome fatigue at the end of the day. Without such a prayer (it is now included in everything Orthodox prayer books) it was probably difficult to keep the faith. One specialist called prayer non-denominational and psychotherapeutic. Of course, repeating it all the time, like a spell, it was possible to somehow wake up and fall asleep in the conditions of repression in 1937. (We are talking about those people who were doomed to this fate, specifically - about the clergy).

Unique prayers of the elders

When addressing the Lord, the Optina elders advised to avoid verbosity, be laconic and specific, therefore their prayers are understandable and loved by many Orthodox Christians. So, an example is the prayer of the Optina elder Leo. It is known as the private suicide prayer. Short and laconic, it is addressed to the Lord with the only request - to accept and, if possible, forgive the soul of a suicide, and not to punish the one asking for it. After all, church canons were forbidden to commemorate in the church and to bury in the territory of the cemetery suicides who died in a duel and during robbery, drowned men. The wise elders understood that unbearable life circumstances can lead to a person's suicide. They allowed, in private, bypassing the official church, to pray for the tranquility of the soul of a person who committed suicide.

like a spell of happiness

Two more prayers deserve special attention, one of them is the morning prayer of the Optina elders. Having got acquainted with them for the first time, it is impossible not to note their dissimilarity with prayers in general. In them, both in the morning and in the evening, there is so much expression and passion that, in fact, they can play the role of affirmation (a short phrase, with repeated repetition of which the necessary image or attitude can be strengthened in the subconscious of a person). An attitude towards happiness, joy, and living in harmony with everyone. Rather, this prayer resembles a hymn and an incantation at the same time. Repeated confession of love to the Lord sounds like an unbreakable faith in reciprocity. The person making this prayer sincerely believes that it is difficult not to respond to such a sincere request for help in only light and kind deeds, to a declaration of love for everything and everyone. And a stream of warm gratitude, repeated "Amen" can lead to a state of joy and a benevolent attitude towards the whole world.

The originality of the prayers of the Optina elders

Optina elders are also capable of evoking a feeling of surprise and a desire to read it over and over again. The effect is reinforced by repeated, repetitive appeals and ecstasy, emphasized by exclamation marks. The feeling remains that these two prayers imply the friendly disposition of the Lord towards the one who is praying. Of course, they are appropriate in the mouth of a person who is life-loving, joyful and successful, convinced that tomorrow will be as wonderful as today. He reports in the evening to God about a happily lived day. Joyfully thanks him for his help, forgives everything and everyone (including himself) for the mistakes they have made, does not doubt that the Lord will do the same.

Good prayers, understandable, close - this is probably the great wisdom of the venerable elders.

Actually, the prayer of the Optina elders for every day is any prayer taken from the prayer book and suitable for a specific occasion. The role of the daily can be performed by both the morning, evening, and the akathist and the service to the icon Mother of God, called the "Contestant of the Breads".

PRAYERS OF THE OPTINIAN ELDERS FOR DIFFERENT NEEDS

Prayer of the Monk Anthony of Optina
About the beginning of any business

God, look for my help, Lord, look for my help. Manage, Lord, everything that I do, I read and write, everything, I think, speak and understand, for the glory of Your Holy Name, so that it will receive from You at the beginning and in You all my work will end. Grant me, God, but not by word, deed, or thought I will anger Thee, my Creator, but all my deeds, advice and thoughts will be for the glory of Thy Most Holy Name. God, look for my help, Lord, look for my help.

Prayer of the Monk Nikon of the Optina Confessor
during grief

Glory to Thee, my God, for the sorrow sent to me, worthy in my work I now accept. Remember me, when you come to Thy Kingdom, and may all Thy will be one, good and perfect.

Prayer of the Monk Joseph of Optina
with the invasion of thoughts

Lord Jesus Christ, drive me away from all inappropriate thoughts! Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am weak ... You are my God, keep my mind, so that the unclean thoughts will not overcome it, but in You, my Creator (he), may delight in how great is Your Name who loves You.

Prayer of the Monk Anatoly Optinsky (Potapov)
From the antichrist

Deliver me, Lord, from the deception of the godless evil-cunning Antichrist who is coming, and hide me from his snares in the innermost wilderness of Thy salvation. Give me, Lord, the strength and courage of a firm confession of Your Holy Name, may I not give up fear for the sake of the devil, may I not deny You, my Savior and Redeemer, from Your holy Church. But grant me, Lord, day and night cry and tears for my sins and spare me, Lord, in the hour of Thy Terrible Judgment. Amen.

Prayer of the Monk Nectarios of Optina
From the antichrist

Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is coming to judge the living and the dead, have mercy on us sinners, forgive the fall of our whole life, and with them weigh us by fate from the face of Antichrist in the hidden wilderness of Thy salvation. Amen.

Prayer of the Monk Macarius of Optina
With carnal battle

O Mother of the Lord my Creator, You are the root of virginity and the unfading color of purity. About the Mother of God! Thou shalt help me, for a weak carnal passion and a morbid existence, Thy is one and Thy Son and God are the Imam's intercession with Thee. Amen.

Prayer of the last Optina Elders

Lord, grant me with peace of mind to meet all that the coming day will bring me. May I completely surrender to the will of Your saints. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in everything. No matter if you receive news in during the day, teach me to accept them with a calm soul and a firm conviction that everything is Your holy will. In all my words and deeds, guide my thoughts and feelings. In all unforeseen cases, do not let me forget that everything has been sent down by You. Teach me to act directly and reasonably with every member of my family, not embarrassing or upsetting anyone. Lord, give me strength to endure the weariness of the coming day and all the events during the day. Guide my will and teach me to pray, believe, hope, endure, forgive and love. Amen.

Prayer Rule

which the Monk Ambrose of Optina
blessed to read in times of sorrow and temptation

During the time of sorrow

Psalm 3

Lord, what do you multiply with those who are cold? Many people rise up against me, many people say the word of my soul; there is no salvation for him in his Bose. You, Lord, are my protector, my glory, and lift up my head. With my voice I cried out to the Lord, and hearing me from my holy mountain. I fell asleep, and spakh, vostakh, as if the Lord would intercede for me. I will not be afraid of the people around me who are attacking me. Resurrect, Lord, save me, my God; as if you struck all the warring ones against us in vain, you crushed the teeth of sinners against us. The Lord is salvation, and your blessing is upon your people.

Psalm 53

God, in Thy name save me and in Thy power judge me. God, hear my prayer, inspire the words of my mouth; as if you were a stranger to me, and you sought out my soul, and did not offer God before you. Behold, God helps me, and the Lord is the intercessor of my soul; will turn away evil enemy my; consume them by your truth. I will devour Thee, let us confess Thy name, O Lord, for it is good; as from all sorrow he delivered me esi, and my eyes gaze upon my enemies.

Psalm 58

Take me away from my enemies, O God, and deliver me from those who rise up against me; Deliver me from those who practice iniquity, and save me from a man by blood. Yako behold, having caught my soul, attacking me strong; below is my iniquity, below is my sin, O Lord; without lawlessness tekokh and correct; Rise up to my meeting and see. And you, O Lord God of hosts, God of Israel, visit all languages; do not prejudice all that do iniquity. They will return for the evening, and they will gag like a dog, and they will go round the hail. Se, ti declare with their mouth, and the sword is in their mouth; who can hear? And you, Lord, laugh at him, despise all languages. I will keep my dominion to You; as you, God, are my protector. My God, his mercy will precede me; My God, he will show me against mine. Thou shalt not kill them, lest Thy law be forgotten; Scatter me with your strength, and bring me down, my protector, O Lord, the sin of their mouth, the word of their mouth; and let them be in their pride, and from oaths and lies they will be proclaimed in the end, in the wrath of death, and they will not; and they will lead away, as God has dominion over Jacob and the ends of the earth. They will return in the evening, and they will gag like a dog, and they will go round the hail; tii will be swollen with yas; If not, then, they will not be satisfied, and they will lament. But I will sing of Thy power and rejoice in the morning in Thy mercy; as you were my intercessor and my refuge in the day of my sorrow. My helper esi, I sing to you; as God is my intercessor, my God, my mercy.

Psalm 142

Lord, hear my prayer, inspire my prayer in Thy truth, hear me in Thy righteousness; and do not enter into judgment with your servant, for all living things will not be justified before you. As if the enemy chased my soul; I have humbled my belly to the ground; planted me to eat in the dark, like a dead century. And despondency in me is my spirit, in me my heart is perturbed. I remember the days of old days, who have learned in all Your works, have learned by Your hand in Your creation. My hand is lifted up to You; my soul is like waterless earth for you. Hear me soon, O Lord, my spirit is gone; turn not Thy face away from me, and I will become like those who go down into the pit. I hear Thy mercy do me in the morning, as in thee hopes; tell me, Lord, the way, I will go again, as if I would take my soul to You. Take me away from my enemies, O Lord, I have come to You. Teach me to do Your will, as you are my God; Your good Spirit will guide me to earth right. For Thy name's sake, Lord, live me by Thy righteousness; take my soul out of sorrow; and by thy mercy my enemies consume, and destroy all my cold soul; as I am Your servant.

Psalm 101

Lord, hear my prayer, and my cry to You may come. Turn not Thy face away from me; even this day I grieve, incline Thy ear to me; If I will call on Thee, soon hear me. As if disappeared as smoke my days, and my bones as dry as dried. Wounded like grass, and from above my heart, as if forgotten to carry my bread. At the voice of my sighing, my bone clung to my flesh. Like a tawny owl in the desert, like a night lie on a dive. Bdekh and bykh are like a bird specializing in this place. All day, reproach me with mine, and praise me with me. Zane ashes are like bread with poisons and my drink dissolved with weeping, from the presence of Thy anger and Thy fury; as if he lifted up, he brought me down. My days are like the shade is shrinking, and I am like the hay is out of thin air. But you, Lord, abide forever, and your remembrance is for generations and generations. Thou hast resurrected the gorges of Zion; as the time to preserve it, as the time will come. As if Thy servant was pleased with his stone, and his fingers will harm him. And the nations will fear the Name of the Lord, and all the kings will enjoy Your glory; as if the Lord will build up Zion and appear in his glory. Prize for the prayer of the humble and do not despise their prayer. Let this be written in the genera, and the people of the generation will praise the Lord; as a prince from his holy heights, the Lord from heaven to earth to a spectator, hear the sighing of the fettered, permit the sons of the slain; proclaim in Zion the Name of the Lord and his praise in Jerusalem, always gather together among the people and the king, who are also the work of the Lord. Answer him on the way to his fortress; belittling my days to erect; do not exalt me ​​to the knowledge of my days; in the kind of generations of Thy summer. In the beginning Thou, O Lord, Thou hast founded the earth, and the works of Thy hand are the heavens. They will perish, but you abide; and all like a garment they promise, and like a garment I wear, and they will change. You are also there, and Your years will not become scarce. The sons of Thy servant shall dwell, and their seed will be corrected forever.

During temptations

Psalm 36

Do not be jealous of the deceitful, below envy those who do lawlessness. Zane, as the grass will soon disappear, and as the potion of the cereal will soon disappear. Trust in the Lord and do benevolence; and they populated the earth, and took refuge in her riches. Delight in the Lord, and He will give you the petitions of your heart. Open your way to the Lord and trust in Him, and he will do that. And it will bring out like light your truth and your fate like noon. Obey the Lord and pray to him. Do not be jealous of one who is ripening on his way, a person who transgresses the law. Stop from anger and leave the anger; Do not be jealous, even if you are deceitful, those who are not deceitful will be consumed, but those who endure the Lord will inherit the earth. And even more, and there will be no sinner; and seeking his place and not finding it. The meeks will inherit the earth and enjoy the multitude of the world. A sinful righteous man calls him and grinds his teeth; The Lord will laugh at him, he will see, as if his day will come. Withdrawing the sword of the sinner, straining his bow, overthrow the poor and the needy, slay the right heart. Let their sword enter into their hearts, and let their locks be crushed. Better is a little for the righteous, more than the riches of sinners are many. Zane the muscles of sinners will be crushed, asserts the righteous Lord. The Lord knows the ways of the blameless, and their possession will be forever. They will not be ashamed during a fierce time and in days of gladness they will be satisfied, as if sinners will perish. Antagonize the Lord, you will be glorified by it and ascend, fading away like the smoke has disappeared. A sinful loan and will not return; but the righteous gives and gives. As if those who bless him will inherit the earth, while those who bless him will be consumed. From the Lord, a man's feet are corrected, and his ways are exceedingly exalted. Whenever it falls, it is not broken, as the Lord strengthens his hand. The youngest was, for he had grown old, and did not see the righteous one left, below his seed asking for bread. All day long the righteous has mercy and reciprocity, and his seed will be for blessing. Depart from evil and do good, and dwell in the age of the century. As the Lord loves judgment and will not leave his saints; will remain forever; but the wicked will be cut off, and the seed of the wicked will be consumed. The righteous women will inherit the earth and will dwell on it for centuries. The lips of the righteous will learn wisdom, and his tongue will speak judgment. The law of God is his heart, and his feet will not stumble. A sinful righteous person looks at him and seeks to kill him; The Lord, however, will not leave him in his hand, below will condemn him, when he judges him. Suffer the Lord and keep His way, and he will exalt thee to inherit the earth; always consumed by the sinner, behold. Videh of the wicked exalted and towering like Lebanese cedars; and Idoh past, and behold, I didn’t, and I seek him, and he did not find his place. Keep gentleness and see righteousness, as if there is a remnant of peace to a person. The wicked will be consumed together; the remnants of the wicked will be consumed. The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord, and their protector is in times of trouble; and the Lord will help them and deliver them, and sweep them away from the sinner and save them, as if trusting in him.

Psalm 26

The Lord is my enlightenment and my savior, whom shall I fear? The Lord protector of my belly, from whom shall I be afraid? Always approach the spiteful me, even tear down my flesh, offend me and foil mine, when I faint and fall. If a regiment takes up arms against me, my heart will not fear; If he raises against me, I will put my trust in Him. As I ask from the Lord alone, I will demand; Even live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, see the beauty of the Lord and visit his holy temple. As if I hid me in my village on the day of my wickedness, covered me in the secret of my village, lifted me up on a stone. And now, behold, lift up my head against my enemies; the habit and the fire in the village of his sacrifice of praise and exclamation; I sing and sing to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, my voice, and they have cried, have mercy on me and hear me. My heart speaks to you; I will seek the Lord, I will seek my face for Thee; I will seek Thy face, O Lord. Turn not Thy face away from me, nor turn away with anger from Thy servant; wake up my helper, do not reject me and do not leave me, O God, my savior. As my father and my mother left me, the Lord will receive me. Give me laws, O Lord, in Thy way, and guide me on the right path, my enemy, for my sake. Do not betray me into the souls of those who are cold; as if you greeted me as a witness to unrighteousness, and a lie is untrue to yourself. I believe to see the good Lord in the land of the living. Suffer the Lord, be of good courage, and let your heart be strong, and suffer the Lord.

Psalm 90

Alive in the help of the highest, in the roof of the Heavenly God will be settled, the Lord speaks; my protector is and my refuge, my God, and I trust in Him. Yako that will save you from the snare of the hunter and from the word of rebellion; your splash will overshadow thee, and you hope under its krill; the weapon will bypass thee his truth. Do not be afraid of the fear of the night, of an arrow flying in days, of a thing in the darkness of a transitory, of a crumbling and a demon of midday. Thousands will fall from your land, and tma at your right hand will not come close to you; Look for your obedience and behold the reward of sinners. Like you, Lord, is my hope; the Most High has laid thy refuge for you. Evil will not come to you, and the wound will not come near your body; like his angel is a commandment about you, keep you in all your ways. They will lift thee in their arms, but not when they knock your foot against a stone; step on the asp and the basilisk, and cross the lion and the serpent. As if I trust in me, and I will deliver and; I will cover and, as if my name is known. He will call upon me, and I will hear him; I am with him in sorrow, I will wash him and glorify him; long days I will fulfill him and show him my salvation.

Psalm 39

Enduring the patience of the Lord, and hearken to me and hearing my prayer; and lift me up out of the pit of passions and from the shavings of mud, and set my nose on the stone, and straighten my steps; and put in my mouth a new song, a song to our God. They will see and fear, and trust in the Lord. Blessed is the husband, who is the name of the Lord, his trust, and not a ghost of false vanity and frenzy. Thou hast done many things, O Lord my God, Thy wonders, and Thy thoughts do not have anyone who will be like Thee; proclaim and verbs; multiplying more than the number. Sacrifices and offerings were not desired by esi, but the body was accomplished by mi esi; burnt offerings and did not seek for sin. Then reh; behold, I will come; in the main book there is written about me; also do Thy will, O my God, delight, and Thy law in the midst of my womb. Evangelizing the truth in the great church, behold, I will not repudiate my lips; Lord, you understood it. Thy righteousness is not hidden in my heart, Thy truth and Thy salvation are not hidden from the multitude of Thy mercy and Thy truth. But thou, Lord, do not remove Thy compassions from me; Thy mercy and Thy truth I will take out and intercede with me. Like you won me evil, and there are countless numbers; I have comprehended my iniquity, and I am not able to see; more than the hair of my head, and my heart forsake me. Be pleased, Lord, deliver me; Lord, with ezhe help mi, vonmi. Let them be ashamed and ashamed, together with those who seek my soul, take it away; let them return and be ashamed of those who want me to be wicked. May the abiye receive their stupor with the words: good, good. May all who seek You, Lord, rejoice and rejoice in You, and may the Lord be exalted, may the Lord be exalted, loving Your salvation. But I am poor and wretched, the Lord will take care of me; My helper and my protector are you, my God, do not become stagnant.

Prayer of St. Anthony of Optina

For enemies

Thy servants who hate and offend us ( names) forgive the Lord more loving man: they do not know what they are doing, and warm their hearts to love us unworthy.

Prayer to the Cathedral of the Fathers and Elders, who shone in the Optina Hermitage

Troparion, voice 6

The lamp of the Orthodox faith, the steadfastness of the pillar monasticism, the consolation of the Russian land, the Venerable Elders of Optina, having acquired the love of Christ and believing their souls for their children, pray to the Lord, so that he will establish your earthly fatherland in Orthodoxy and piety and save our souls.

Kontakion, voice 4

Truly wondrous is God in his saints, the Optina Hermitage is like a helicopter of the elders, revealing where the fathers are to enlightenment, the secret of the human heart, the people of God, the sorrows of goodness, appearing: these more on the path of repentance by sin weighed down with instruction, in faith wavering with the light of God and teaching of Christ's teachings to the afflicted and the weak, the gift of suffering and healing. Now, abiding in the glory of God, they pray incessantly for our souls.

Prayer

About Veneration and God-bearing Our Fathers, the Elders of Optina, God-wisdom teachers of faith and piety, pillars and lamps to all who seek salvation and eternal life: Ambrose, Moses, Anthony, Leo, Macarius, Hilarion, Anatoly, Isaacius, Joseph, Anatholie, Barsanophie Confessor Nikon and Hieromartyr Isaac, we pray you, unworthy, that Christ God preserve His Holy Church, the Russian country, the Optina monastery, and every city and country where His Divine name is glorified and Orthodox confessed by your intercession.
O Reverend, pray also to the Mother of Light, Queen of Heaven, The Most Pure Mother of God may he open the doors of mercy of his Son and our God, may we see our basic laws and bring before him many tears of repentance, may he cleanse many of our sins and grant us times of peace and prosperous salvation, may the vanity of this age be tamed under strong hand God, in order to acquire for us the spirit of peace, meekness, brotherly love and mercy to the suffering.
O Reverend and return the saint of God, Elders of Optina, moreover, pray Christ the Lord, may he grant us a good answer at His Terrible Judgment, may deliver eternal torment and merge with you in the Kingdom of Heaven to glorify and sing the glorious and magnificent name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to the Monk Ambrose of Optina

Troparion, voice 5

As if to a healing spring, we are flowing to you, Ambrose, our father, you will truly instruct us on the path of salvation, protect us from troubles and misfortunes with prayers, comfort us in bodily and mental sorrows, and moreover teach humility, patience and love, pray to the Human Lover Christ and Assiduous intercessor, save our souls.

Kontakion, voice 2

Having fulfilled the covenant of the Leader of the Shepherd, you inherited grace from the elders, afflicting your heart for all those who come to you with faith, the same we, your children, cry out to you with love: Father Holy Ambrose, pray to Christ God for our souls to be saved.

First prayer

O great elder and servitor of God, reverend our father Ambrose, Optina praise of all Russia to the teacher of piety! We glorify your humble life in Christ, for whom God will exalt your name while you exist on earth, especially crowning you with heavenly honor after your departure to the palace of eternal glory. Accept now the prayer of us, unworthy of your children, who honor thee and call on your holy name, deliver us by your intercession before the throne of God from all sorrowful circumstances, mental and physical ailments, evil misfortunes, pernicious and crafty temptations, sent down to our Fatherland from our great God silence and prosperity, be the immutable patron of this holy monastery, in which you have struggled in prosperity and pleased you by all in the Trinity to our glorified God, to Him all glory, honor and worship, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and till the end of time. Amen.

Second prayer

O venerable and God-bearing our Father Ambrose! Desiring to do the Lord's work, you dwelt here, and in labor, in vigils, in prayer and fasting, you fought as hard as you, and you were a mentor to monastics, a zealous teacher to all people. Now, after your departure from the earthly, the Heavenly King is coming, pray for His goodness, hedgehog the place of your settlement, this holy abode, where you persist in your spirit of love, and with all your people, with faith to the race of your relics that fall, in the good of their petitions execute. Ask our merciful Lord to grant us an abundance of earthly blessings, but even more for the benefit of our souls, let him grant us, and end this temporal life in repentance, let him vouch for it, on the day of judgment, he will deign to stand and enjoy in His Kingdom forever and ever. ... Amen.

Prayer three

O honorable elder of the glorious and wondrous Optina of the Hermitage, venerable and God-bearing our Father Ambrose! Our church is a good adornment and a blessed lamp, illuminate everyone with heavenly light, the red and spiritual fruit of Russia and all the sunflower, abundantly delight and amuse the souls of the faithful! Now, with faith and trembling, we fall before the celibate shrine of your holy relics, you have mercifully bestowed them for consolation and help to the suffering, we humbly pray with our heart and lips, holy father, as an all-Russian mentor and teacher of piety, a pastor and physician of our soulful and bodily sublime on your children, who sinfully sin in words and deeds, and visit us with a lot and with your holy love, you also gloriously prospered in the days of earthly. And especially after your righteous death, instructing the saints and God-enlightened fathers in the rules, admonishing us in the commandments of Christ, in them you were jealous of the same good until the last hour of your arduous monastic life; ask for us, who are weak in soul and in distress in sorrow, a favorable and saving time for repentance, true correction and renewal of our life, in it we, sinners, are bogged down in mind and heart, before ourselves with obscene and fierce passion, vice and lawlessness, which is innumerable ; accept, observe and cover us with your blood of many mercies, send us a blessing from the Lord, may we bear the good yoke of Christ in patience until the end of our days, longing for a future belly and Kingdom, where there is no sorrow, no sighing, but life and joy are endless, abundant proceeding from the one, all-holy and blessed source of immortality, in the Trinity of the worshiped God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Dear Anonymous, breathing righteous anger, The Prayer of the Optina Elders is an amazing prayer written in a simple and understandable language, NOT included in any prayer rule - it is NOT a CANONICAL TEXT, it is a voice coming from the heart.
And everyone is free to pronounce it the way he feels. Therefore, having used instead of Your Holy Will - Light Will, I did not erect "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" in any way - I washed away the prayers not in exact accordance with the set of words written, but in the sincere feeling of faith that you put into these words.

The Monk Macarius considered:
“... Prayer is the concentration of the best part of oneself and offering it for union with Higher powers... Prayer, to be real, true, must be a cry of the heart ...
... Prayer is an involuntary cry of the soul to HIS God ...
... Real prayer is the voice of the soul, ready to communicate with God "...

Further...
The Optina elders advised to leave the mundane vanity and idle talk during prayer, since this disrupts the prayer mood, drives away grace.
Before praying, you should wait until thoughts and feelings subside - that's why it is so necessary to "relax and throw out the negative."
Body, soul and mind are attuned to communion with God. What is this if not morning meditation? PERSONALLY I think so.

The Monk Nikon wrote:
“Especially during prayer, leave ALL THOUGHTS ABOUT THE LIVING. After prayer, at home or in church, in order to maintain a prayerful tender mood, silence is necessary. Sometimes even a simple insignificant word can disturb and frighten away tenderness from our souls.
Silence prepares the soul for prayer. Silence, how it has a beneficial effect on the soul! "

The power of the morning prayer of the Optina elders is in its wisdom. It gives a person a state of serenity, peace, organizes thoughts and feelings, prepares for any surprises of a new day, teaches us to always remember about God, calls for his patronage.
And this is purely my business, how to present material to personal diary... Moreover, I do not take on the burden of "teaching", but simply offer this wonderful spiritual wisdom to the attention of my readers.

Incidentally, the Venerable Elder Ambrose wrote:
“Do you wish to read different akathists by diligence? You can read, but so as not to think something about yourself and not to condemn others. And when there is an exaltation and condemnation of others, then do not read. "
And another piece of advice from the Monk Joseph:
"If you see the error of your neighbor, which you would like to correct, if it disturbs your peace of mind and annoys you, then you are sinning and, therefore, you will not correct the error with error - it is corrected by meekness."
And the Monk Nikon said:
"Always remember the law of spiritual life: if you are embarrassed by any shortcoming of another person and condemn him, later you will suffer the same fate, and you will suffer the same shortcoming."

Sixty kilometers from Kaluga there is an ancient monastery, next to which is located Optina Pustyn, the name of which is known throughout Russia. The history of the desert has known periods of both rapid prosperity and complete decline. Glory to her was brought by the elders who once lived here - seers and healers. They received people coming from all over the country in need of spiritual nourishment. After them, we were left with moral teachings, predictions, as well as one well-known prayer. It is usually called "Prayer for the beginning of the day of the Optina elders." What is known about this desert and about the elders who glorified it?

The history of the appearance of Optina Pustyn

In ancient times, in order to resist the raids of the steppe nomads, defensive structures - notches - were built in Russia. In them, the inhabitants took refuge from uninvited guests... But these same serifs, over time, often became a refuge for robbers, who have always abounded in the Russian expanses. The legend tells that in one of such spots the leader of the gang named Opta settled down with his dashing fellows.

There was a lot of blood on his hands, but suddenly there was a fracture in his soul. Either he had voices, or his conscience woke up, but he only repented of what he had done, took monastic vows under the name of Macarius and ended his life in fasting and humility. From blood to holiness. How not to recall the words of Dmitry Karamazov: "The man is wide, too wide, I would have narrowed it down." However, it is not for us to judge - the will of God.

The hard way of becoming a desert

It is from this notch that Optina Hermitage begins. For the first time in historical documents, it is mentioned during the time of Boris Godunov. These were difficult years for the monastery. The city of Kozelsk, next to which she was located, was burned and plundered by the Lithuanians. Got from the enemy and the defenseless wilderness. For almost two centuries it was in poverty and oblivion, and only at the very end of the 18th century did its revival begin.

The heyday of Optina Pustyn is considered the 19th century, especially its second half. The elders who labored here were famous for their ability to foresee the future, to heal the souls and bodies of pilgrims with prayers and to give instruction in difficult life situations... Representatives of the advanced Russian intelligentsia came to them, as to wise mentors. Here, in different time N. V. Gogol, A. Maksimovich, S. P. Shevyrev and many others visited.

Shrewd elders

Especially it is necessary to dwell on the gift of perspicacity, which was endowed with the Optina elders. The predictions of Russia's future troubles, written down from their words, found their sad confirmation. Back in 1848, when the fire of revolution broke out in France, Elder Macarius was able to predict a future catastrophe that would befall Russia. Likewise, all his successors unanimously declared about the danger threatening the country. They saw in it the payment for the sins in which the society was mired, more and more moving away from religion. History has confirmed everything that the Optina elders talked about. Their predictions came true exactly during the days of the Bolshevik coup. For serving God and for the miracles shown by them, fourteen elders of Optina Pustyn have already been numbered among

Prayer That Starts the Day

The prayer for the beginning of the day of the Optina elders is a vivid example of the wisdom and spiritual insight of these people. It is not a substitute for the prayers that it contains. Morning rule prescribed by church tradition. Prayer at the beginning of the day is an addition to them. It helps to direct the charge of grace-filled energy to create good in relation to all people, but especially to those who are closest to us. The text of the prayer helps to concentrate spiritual forces in order to direct them in the right direction.

Prayer for the beginning of the day of the Optina elders has a beneficial effect on us largely because in the early hours our consciousness is not yet burdened with everyday worries and is more receptive to understanding the meaning of the lines being read. A prayer read in the morning promotes the organization of our thoughts and forms a charge of cheerfulness. In addition, the text of the prayer is designed in such a way as to prepare a person to meet with dignity any surprises that may happen that day.

laid in prayer

It is important to note that the prayer for the beginning of the day of the Optina elders was also approved by people who do not identify with religion. Many psychologists note its effective psychotherapeutic effect. It is emphasized that the peculiarity of prayer is that it is equally suitable for people of various religions. This theological text, extraordinary in its universality, can rightfully be called an instruction of life. It concisely and at the same time succinctly shows how to start the day.

Prayer of the Optina elders, full version which is presented in this article is written in simple and understandable language. This is her undeniable dignity... To understand it and to implement everything that it says, no special training is needed. Even a person who does not possess sufficient strength in faith, reading it, will not remain indifferent to these simple and wise words.

The concept of eldership in the Orthodox Church

The icon of the Optina elders shows us the faces of the fourteen saints of God - last elders going into eternity old Russia... Speaking about them, it is important to understand that this word means not just a monk who has attained but a person who has been honored with special grace from the Lord God. In it, he is given the gift of clairvoyance, that is, the ability to see the future, the gift of miracles and the gift of healing. Only true ascetics in the work of serving God can qualify for such grace. Not all elders are canonized by the church and are numbered among the saints, but, undoubtedly, in the higher monasteries they are rewarded for their earthly service.

The prayer for the beginning of the day of the Optina elders outlived its creators who had passed away for a long time. It is not included in any of it, but it is widely known, and is read by many believers at the beginning of the day. This is because her words contain the immortal power of the Holy Spirit, through whose inspiration they were written.

Prayer of the last Optina elders

Lord, give me peace of mind to meet all that the coming day will bring me. Let me completely surrender to the will of Your saint. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in everything. Whatever news I receive during the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and a firm conviction that everything is Your holy will. In all my words and deeds, guide my thoughts and feelings. In all unforeseen cases, do not let me forget that everything has been sent down by You. Teach me to act directly and reasonably with each person, without embarrassing or upsetting anyone. Lord, give me strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events during the day. Guide my will and teach me to pray, believe, hope, endure, forgive and love.

Chapter two DISCIPLES OF THE ELDERS OF OPTIN - And how can I live? - All sinners ... Live as you live. Just don't do a big sin. Film "Island" In Khrushchev's times in Kazakhstan, in the village of Mikhailovka near Karaganda, there lived an old man Sevastian, a native of the Oryol peasants.

SPECIFICATIONS of the elders, mostly Egyptian, especially the Elders of the Skete, whose names have not reached us 1. Pray to God that He would grant your heart weeping and humility; Constantly fix your eyes on your sins, and you will not condemn others; obey everyone; have no friendship with either