Saint Joseph of Optina lived with such deep reverence, and his gentle silence before God was so blissful, that even a fleeting, heavenly smile would draw hearts close to him. No one could fail to love him.
This gifted speaker, deep thinker and Bible teacher, this steadfast monk, scholar, poet and speaker — widely known as the "Russian Chrysostom" — knew the Scriptures and the early Church Fathers like few others.
To be honest, I thought I would not last until Pascha. Why? Here’s why: I am weak! You are strong and steadfast, and I am a weakling, standing here in full view. However, by some miracle, we have all made it to the Pascha.
Through long-suffering patience in severe affliction, nun Maria refined her soul, and the Lord granted her spiritual insight and the gift of comforting others. Many people began coming to her for guidance and prayer.
Let us prepare our souls with humility, making them like an upper room, so that the Son of God may enter us and keep the Passover within us with His disciples. Let us stay close to Him who freely chose to suffer.
St Joseph’s main compositions are the canons sung and read at Matins. St Joseph brought order to the Menologion, honouring lesser-known saints who lacked canons. In these works, he poured all of his heart’s devotion and love.
Every Great Lent, the Church remembers the ascetic struggle of St Mary of Egypt. In the scorching heat, thirst, sands, and barren rocks, this remarkable desert flower grew, and her spiritual fragrance comforts us to this day.
Every new day is a gift from God, and with it comes the chance to hear His word and be strengthened in faith. The Post of the Day section of Saint Elisabeth Convent offers short spiritual reflections, sayings of the saints, and pastoral thoughts chosen to inspire and guide the soul.
Each post is a reminder that God’s grace is present in the smallest details of life. Sometimes it is a brief quotation from Holy Scripture, sometimes the wisdom of an elder or saint, and sometimes a heartfelt reflection from the Convent’s clergy and sisters. These words are given to encourage prayer, repentance, and thanksgiving in the midst of daily cares.
For those who cannot yet come to the monastery, the Post of the Day is a way to stay connected with its prayerful life. It offers a moment of stillness and reflection—an opportunity to pause, breathe, and let the words of faith settle in the heart.
The themes of the posts are as varied as the spiritual journey itself: love of neighbor, patience in trials, the meaning of forgiveness, the joy of feast days, or the mystery of God’s Providence. Taken together, they form a treasury of daily nourishment for the Christian soul.
We invite you to return to this page often, to draw strength from these brief yet powerful messages, and to let them accompany you throughout the day. May each post become a seed of hope and a reminder that God is always near.
