Optina
THOMAS KITSON
The Optina Hermitage (near Kaluga) promoted hesychast spirituality in 19th- century Russia, inspired by Sts. Paisy Velichkovsky and Seraphim of Sarov. Metropolitan Filaret Drozdov supported Abbot Moses’ ambitious publishing program there of Russian translations from patristic works. The monastery’s reputation, however, rested, until its closure in 1923, on its many renowned elders (startsy) – especially Sts. Leonid, Macarius, and Ambrose – whose teachings on humility and obedience attracted several secular intellectuals, including Turgenev, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Leontyev, and others. The elders also filled a deeply felt spiritual need for the crowds of pilgrims who traveled to Optina to confess and receive their blessing. The Optina saints are commemorated on October 10.
SEE ALSO: Elder (Starets); Hesychasm; Philokalia; St. Filaret (Philaret) Drozdov (1782–1867); St. Paisy Velichovsky (17221794); St. Seraphim of Sarov (1759–1833)
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS
Dunlop, J. (1972) Staretz Amvrosy. London: Mowbray.
Meletios of Nikopolis (1987) Starets Varsanouphios, 2 vols. Preveza: n.p.
Sederholm, C. (1990) Elder Leonid of Optina.
Platina, CA: St. Herman of Alaska Press. Sederholm, C. (1994) Elder Antony of Optina. Platina, CA: St. Herman of Alaska Press.