The ancient Orthodox monastery of Optina deserts originated the beginning of such a phenomenon as old age. The first hermit monks, even before the foundation of the monastery, began to conduct spiritual mentorship and at the same time possessed an amazing gift of providence. It is believed that it is through the elders that the blessing and will of God is transmitted to a person in a particular situation.
Optina Deserts
Optina Monastery of the Deserts or, as officially, the Vvedensky Stauropegial Monastery, was founded at the beginning of the nineteenth century, we can say relatively recently. Kaluga land is rich in famous associates, who gave rise to the monastery. Although the first founders of the monastery, according to legend, include
.the robber Opto, who repented of his sins and took the tonsure as a monk under the name Makarii. And it was at the end of the seventeenth century. For his monastic feat, Makarii chose a forest place on the banks of the Zhizdra River. Gradually, the disciple reached for the monk, pilgrims began to come, seeking solace. It was decided to build the first church in the monastery - the Introduction of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The history of Optina Desert was not always joyful. The monastery also experienced periods of desolation, when only two monks lived in the monastery, and prosperity, when Optina was transferred to the Kaluga diocese, and the monastery received well-deserved attention. In the difficult years for the church after the Optina Revolution, the desert was closed, but it was given museum status. There the rest house began to settle down. During the Second World War, a hospital was located on its territory, and then a filtration camp. But the times of desolation and ruin passed, when in 1987 the monastery was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. Now the monastery has been completely restored, and most importantly - the eldership has revived.
Who are the elders
Thousands of pilgrims visit the Optina Desert Monastery daily. This is not surprising: the monks carefully record all the miracles that are performed here according to the prayers of the monks or laity, who were able to venerate the relics of the saints or personally communicate with the elders.
And what is old age in general? This is a monastic feat, according to the works of which the monk is given insight and a subtle connection with God. Elders are monastery shepherds who can instruct, admonish, bless on deeds. They subtly feel a person, they are perspicacious, more is revealed to them than not just a monk, but even a secular person. But one does not need to perceive the elders as fortune tellers. Here we are talking more about spiritual mentoring, prayer help or blessing: marriage, monasticism and obedience. People, not understanding the true purpose of the old man, try to get to him as an adviser in all everyday matters: whether to sell an apartment, husband / wife cheats, bless for exams and which car is better to buy. And these are not jokes, but the real questions with which the petitioners go to the priesthood. But most of the questions can be resolved by your confessor or father in the temple that you are visiting. Especially when it comes to family ups and downs. And material issues are, for the most part, outside the sphere of awareness of church ministers.
What then can the elders ask? First of all, about the spiritual. If the petitioner wants to become a novice in the monastery or take tonsure, there is no way to get along without blessing. But the old man can bless at a particular monastery. Or do not give your blessing. An old man can be asked for prayer help for serious illnesses; many miracles can be performed through his prayers. But one must understand that during this period the person himself must bear sincere repentance, begin to live according to the commandments of the Christian faith.
Father Eli
It is very important to find a spiritual father with whom there will be truly spiritual unity and tranquility. Among the elders of our time, Scheme Archimandrite Eli stands out. The future father, Eli, and in the world Alexey Nozdrin, was born in 1932 in an ordinary peasant family in the Oryol region. For a long time he was looking for his life path, until he came to God. What contributed to such a turn of life, we probably will not know. But Alexey Nozdrin enters the Saratov Theological Seminary. And all this happened during the terrible persecution of the church. He could not finish his studies in Saratov, the seminary was closed, and the seminarians were transferred to Leningrad. There he graduated from an educational institution, entered the theological academy, and in 1966 he took tonsure with the name Ilian. He was sent to serve in the famous Pskovo-Pechersky monastery, which is known for its outstanding associates. But Elijah is not enough. He decides to visit Athos. Indeed, after ten years of service in Pskov, he was sent as a novice to Mount Athos. There he spent fourteen years. Here is such a degree of spiritual achievement. It is not surprising that it was Father Eli who was sent to revive the Optina of the Deserts after she was returned to the church.
