In Optina Desert, in the Vladimir temple of the monastery, the relics of the holy elders are stored. During their life they cured mental and bodily diseases. Today, pilgrims come here all over the world, hoping for a miracle of healing.
The elder is an experienced monk in spiritual life, possessing the gift of reasoning, a teacher, and a mentor. They went to him for advice and comfort, and the elder did not refuse help to anyone, with his attention and warmth he warmed all who came. A man came out of his cell, flew on the wings, the world seemed to him renewed.
Old age has become a hallmark of Optina Desert. The fame of this monastery and its elders spread throughout Russia and beyond.
First
The first elder in the Optina Desert was the Rev. Leo Optinsky (L.D. Nagolkin), a man of large physique, with a loud voice and a shock of thick hair. Sharp and swift. Instead of much persuasion, the old man sometimes in one word knocked the soil from under the visitor's feet, making him realize that he was wrong and repent. He, as a psychologist, knew how to achieve his goal.
The Rev. Leo of Optina not only healed the soul, but also healed. He saved many weak from death. Successfully treated the elder Leo and the possessed (demon possessed). Towards the end of his life, he predicted that Russia would suffer much grief and upheaval. The holy relics of the Monk Leo are in the Vladimir Church of the monastery.
Elder Macarius
Hieroskhimonakh Makarii (M. Ivanov) - student of the Rev. Leo of Optina. He was huge, with an ugly face, beaten by smallpox, tongue-tied. Possessed the gift of clairvoyance. When he saw a person for the first time, he could immediately call him by name. He answered letters before they received them.
He wrote letters from morning to evening. They contain advice and answers to numerous spiritual questions. Today they are useful and interesting.
Rev. Macarius in the monastery created and led a group of scholars and writers (monks and worldly people). They translated ancient scriptures. Under the influence of the elder Makarii, a school of publishers and translators of spiritual literature arose in Russia. The writers Tolstoy and Gogol came to him for confession.
People followed this old man in droves, people dreamed at least through a window to see him. He bestowed all with his love. Tired and sick, Rev. Macarius took pilgrims until his death.
