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Elder Ambrose of Optina

In the history of Russia, as in world history, there are saints who serve as “milestones,’ as it were, on the road to the Most High. One such righteous one was St. Ambrose of Optina, whose memory is celebrated on October 10/23.

10/23/2022

The Life of St. Ambrose of Optina

Commemorated October 10/23

Rating: 8.8|Votes: 19

The Life of St. Ambrose of Optina

Commemorated October 10/23

God’s abundant benevolence that resided in him, was the source of those spiritual blessings that allowed him to serve those that visited him, comforting the grieving, strengthening the faith in those that were wavering and directing everybody toward the path of salvation.

St. Ambrose of Optina

Commemorated October 10/23

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Rating: 7|Votes: 3

St. Ambrose of Optina

Commemorated October 10/23

In the history of Russia, as in world history, there are saints who serve as “milestones,’ as it were, on the road to the Most High. One such righteous one was St. Ambrose of Optina, whose memory is celebrated on October10/23.

St. Ambrose of Optina on the Struggle with the Passions

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Rating: 6.9|Votes: 16

St. Ambrose of Optina on the Struggle with the Passions

“When these three fields are cleansed, then other passions stemming from them are also imperceptibly cut off with them—that is, anger and remembrance of wrongs, earthly sorrow, envy, hatred, coolness and laziness regarding prayer and works of piety.”

Counsels to a Christian on Unceasing Watchfulness over Oneself

St. Ambrose of Optina

Rating: 8.2|Votes: 20

Counsels to a Christian on Unceasing Watchfulness over Oneself

St. Ambrose of Optina

On June 27/July 10, the Church celebrates the uncovering of the relics of St. Ambrose of Optina. We offer to our readers a letter from the forthcoming book by Pokrov Publications, St. Ambrose of Optina. Letters to Laymen.

The Prayer Rule of St. Ambrose of Optina To Be Read in Times of Temptation

Rating: 5.4|Votes: 39

The Prayer Rule of St. Ambrose of Optina To Be Read in Times of Temptation

St. Ambrose, elder of Optina offered to those who came to him with various sorrows and trials a special, brief prayer rule that is possible for any Christian to read. The elder knew from his own experience the effectiveness of these prayers, how they strengthen one's enfeebled spirit, and how they scatter the enemy's attacks if read with faith and hope in God's almighty help. This prayer rule, comprised of the Psalms of David, we offer here together with extracts from the letters of St. Ambrose.

A Reply to One Well Disposed Towards the Latin Church

Regarding the unjust glorying of the papists in the imaginary dignity of their Church

St. Ambrose of Optina

Rating: 7.7|Votes: 17

A Reply to One Well Disposed Towards the Latin Church

Regarding the unjust glorying of the papists in the imaginary dignity of their Church

St. Ambrose of Optina

The Eastern Orthodox Church, from apostolic times until now, observes unchanged and unblemished by innovations both the Gospel and Apostolic teachings, as well as the Tradition of the Holy Fathers and resolutions of the Ecumenical Councils, at which God-bearing men, having gathered from throughout the entire world, in a conciliar manner composed the divine Symbol of the Orthodox Faith [the Creed], and having proclaimed it aloud to the whole universe, in all respects perfect and complete, forbade on pain of terrible punishments any addition to it, any abridging, alteration, or rearrangement of even one iota of it.

“Love is Tested By Adversity.” Elder Ambrose of Optina

Commemorated June 27/July 10 and October 10/23

Fr. Sergius Chetverikov

“Love is Tested By Adversity.” Elder Ambrose of Optina

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“Love is Tested By Adversity.” Elder Ambrose of Optina

Commemorated June 27/July 10 and October 10/23

Fr. Sergius Chetverikov

"The love that animated Fr. Ambrose was of the kind that Christ commanded his disciples to have. It differs greatly from the feeling that the world knows as love. It is no less poetic, but it is broader, purer and knows no bounds. Its main difference is that it gives everything and asks nothing in return."

St. Ambrose, Elder of Optina

Archpriest Sergius Chetverikov

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Rating: 9.3|Votes: 4

St. Ambrose, Elder of Optina

Archpriest Sergius Chetverikov

Why do people experience depression? "Depression, according to Mark the Ascetic, is a spiritual cross sent to us in order to cleanse our former sins. Depression comes also for other reasons: from offended self-love, because we are not getting our own way; also from vainglory, when one sees that his equals enjoy greater privileges; from stressful situations during which our faith in God's Providence and hope in His mercy and omnipotent help is put to test.

The Sun of Optina Hermitage. Part 1

Commemoration of St. Ambrose of Optina

The Sun of Optina Hermitage. Part 1

Commemoration of St. Ambrose of Optina

Much testimony of miraculous help from St. Ambrose has been preserved, and this reveals a little of the countenance of this wondrous man who consoled everyone.

The Uncovering of the Holy Relics of the Venerable Optina Elders

Part 3

The Uncovering of the Holy Relics of the Venerable Optina Elders

Part 3

Many pilgrims gathered at Optina on this solemn and significant day. With great reverence, the clerics from among the brethren and the visiting clergy transferred the honorable relics of the Optina Elders to the oak reliquaries prepared especially for them, to put them in the new church in new granite reliquaries, decorated with artistic carvings and icons.

The Uncovering of the Holy Relics of the Venerable Optina Elders

Part 2

The Uncovering of the Holy Relics of the Venerable Optina Elders

Part 2

Dear Vladyka! Over the period from July 7 to August 5, the flow of pilgrims to the Optina Hermitage noticeably increased, especially on Sundays and feast days. All wished to pray before the uncovered relics of the holy Elders.

The Uncovering of the Holy Relics of the Venerable Optina Elders

Part 1

The Uncovering of the Holy Relics of the Venerable Optina Elders

Part 1

On June 27/July 10, the Church celebrates the 1998 Uncovering of the Relics of the Optina Elders Leo, Macarius, Hilarion, Ambrose, Anatoly I, Barsanuphius, and Anatoly II. The Optina Monastery website tells the interesting story of how the relics were uncovered and identified.

St. Ambrose of Optina: Spiritual Care of Monastics and Laypeople

Schema-Archimandrite John (Maslov)

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St. Ambrose of Optina: Spiritual Care of Monastics and Laypeople

Schema-Archimandrite John (Maslov)

Schema-Hieromonk Ambrose loved the Lord infinitely; and he gave all the love that his whole being could contain to His Creator through His creation—that is, his neighbors.

The Image of Elder Ambrose of Optina in Dostoevsky's Elder Zosima

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The Image of Elder Ambrose of Optina in Dostoevsky's Elder Zosima

How close did Dostoevsky’s Zosima come to Ambrose of Optina? What did the famous author take away from his memorable meeting with St. Ambrose?

Homily on the Commemoration day of St. Ambrose of Optina

Metropolitan Triphon (Turkestanov)

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Rating: 9.9|Votes: 8

Homily on the Commemoration day of St. Ambrose of Optina

Metropolitan Triphon (Turkestanov)

As you know, Batiushka, despite his own infirmity and sickness, which troubled him from a very early age, he was nevertheless a steadfast warrior of Christ the Savior; truly he struggled all his life with the spirits of evil—and triumphed.

Miraculous help from St. Ambrose in our days

Stories from the editor’s mail at Pravoslavie.ru

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Rating: 9.5|Votes: 4

Miraculous help from St. Ambrose in our days

Stories from the editor’s mail at Pravoslavie.ru

"The Lord is nearer to us than it seems, and through people and situations He always guides us through life by the prayers of our venerable and God-bearing father Ambrose, elder of Optina, and of all the saints—of course, for those who follow Christ."

Sayings of St. Ambrose of Optina

St. Ambrose of Optina

Rating: 5.8|Votes: 30

Sayings of St. Ambrose of Optina

St. Ambrose of Optina

"Strive in all things to live according to the Divine commandments, and remember that the Lord is present and sees the disposition of your heart. While fulfilling an obedience, consider that it has been given by the Lord through a person, and that your salvation depends on your zeal in fulfilling it."

Sermon on the Commemoration Day of St. Ambrose, Elder of Optina

Hieromonk Vasily (Roslyakov)

Hieromonk Vasily (Roslyakov)

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Rating: 10|Votes: 2

Sermon on the Commemoration Day of St. Ambrose, Elder of Optina

Hieromonk Vasily (Roslyakov)

Hieromonk Vasily (Roslyakov)

Today we too, in approaching the coffin of our holy Father Ambrose, Elder of Optina, rejoice with same inexpressible joy of Christ’s resurrection. Hymning the Tomb of our Savior, we say, “How life-giving, how much more beautiful than paradise, and more resplendent than any royal palace proved Thy tomb, oh Christ, the source of our Resurrection!” And in the troparion to St. Ambrose we sing, “As to a healing spring do we come to thee, Oh Ambrose, our father!”