We use cookies to analyze and improve the website and your user experience. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our Cookie Policy.
The spirit of connectedness acted on the elder's disciples and all the brethren, by uniting them with the bonds of Christ's love. The spirit of God's peace found by the Optina elders was experienced by every pious visitor to the monastery.
In the 1840s, Optina Monastery faced a shortage of coachmen for the 70-kilometre route to Kaluga and struggled to accommodate all the visitors in its monastery hotels. Contemporaries referred to Optina as a “spiritual sanatorium.”
In August 2000, the Jubilee Bishops’ Council of the Russian Orthodox Church glorified Elder Leonid of Optina Pustyn for universal veneration. His relics rest in the Vladimir Church at Optina Pustyn.
Thirty years ago on this day, 12 October 1993, in the burial vault of the Cathedral of the Icon of Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in the city of San Francisco (USA) the incorruptible relics of St. John (Maximovich) were uncovered.
Learn how humble love and perseverance in Kirill and Maria’s household fostered sainthood and miracles. Let their example of Christian parenting enrich your understanding of family sanctity.
As the sages of the East used to say, one would be cursed to live in a time of abrupt change. Saint Sergius of Radonezh lived in one of Russia's most troubled periods and left us some valuable insights that have survived his day.
Martyr Peter the Aleut († 1815) was a young Aleut who was born and raised on one of the islands of the Kodiak Archipelago. In 1815, as a young man, together with thirteen fellow Aleuts, fishermen and hunters, he sailed to the shores of California…
Blessed Paraskeva possessed the gift of spiritual insight. Seeing both the past and future, she sometimes rebuked hidden sins. Witnessing her holy life, many sought her counsel.
Dimitry of Rostov was the first saint of the Russian Empire. In his life, he witnessed multiple events that changed the course of history. A great part of his life coincided with the reforms of Peter the Great and his key war campaigns.
He presented an example of living through all trials with dignity. From every adversity, he emerged stronger and richer in spirit than he was before.
The example of the martyr saints shows how the grace of the holy spirit can empower us to reach untold levels of bravery and spiritual strength, despite our physical weakness.
"There is only one thing to say about this remarkable monastic: the sweetest of souls! One conversation with Father Silouan was enough to make anyone grow fond of him."
Saint virgins Menodora, Metrodora and Nymphodora were sisters originating from Bythinia in Asia Minor. Excelling in righteousness, they confined themselves to living in the desert. Fruitful years passed in fasting, prayer, disseminating the…
The time of Elder Macarius’s ministry as an elder is often hailed as the “Golden Age” in the history of Optina Monastery. Under his guidance, the monastery became a spiritual centre of Russia.
Saints Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev Caves lived in the 11th century. They are commonly regarded as the founders of monasticism in Ancient Rus’, the cradle of today's Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
On the 11th of September, the Orthodox Christians that follow the Julian calendar commemorate Saint John the Forerunner by celebrating the feast day of his Martyrdom. John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus Christ.
Blessed Maria was venerated as a local saint in July 2004 during celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of Saint Seraphim of Sarov’s birth. She was canonized for all-Church veneration in October of that year.
In the 15th century, Orthodox ascetics Zosimas, Savvatii and Herman set foot on the Solovetski Archipelago in the White Sea, 165 kilometres North of the Polar Circle, to live a life as hermits and ascetics in solitary prayer.
Like many Belarusian New Martyrs, hieromartyr John Voronets faced persecution, but remained true to his priestly calling, professing the Christian faith until his last breath.
Following their glorification, the relics of Blessed Eudokia and her disciples Daria, Daria, and Maria were exhumed and rest in the Dormition Church in Suvorovo (formerly Puzo).
