Elders of Optina

Glorified in 1990, the Lives of the Optina Elders inspire and direct us who are yet struggling in the world.

"You must always remember that our lives will only pass peacefully and happily if we do not forget ourselves or God, our Creator and Redeemer, the Giver of everything good - temporal and eternal. Not forgetting Him means trying to live according to His divine and life-giving commandments; and when we break them because of infirmity, to sincerely repent and to set about straightway to correct our mistakes and departures from those commandments." Elder Ambrose of Optina

Elder Anthony of Optina The Prima vitae of 1869, compiled not only from the information of his own personal notes, journals, and letters, but also from memoirs of his spiritual children. 180 pp. HER1319 $12.50

Elder Ambrose of Optina (1812-1891) "Because he had attained the depths of humility, the Lord blessed him with spiritual gifts by which to heal suffering souls." This edition is an English translation of the original Optina edition, printed in Russia in 1912. Includes the Akathist to Elder Ambrose. 469 pp. HER1360 $20.00

Elder Barsanuphius of Optina by Victor Afanasiev, Volume VII of the Elders of Optina Series. Elder Barsanuphius (1845–1913), a disciple of Elder Anatole (Zertsalov) and Elder Nektary, was a highly cultured man and a successful colonel before entering the monastic life at a relatively late age. Due to his purity of heart and spiritual sobriety, he was transformed by God into a grace-filled Elder virtually overnight. With a sympathetic soul Elder Barsanuphius attended to the world, and the Lord parted a curtain before him, showing him the horrors of the future. People from the world, thirsting for consolation in their sorrows, streamed to Optina. Elder Barsanuphius, in frail health but strengthened by the power of the Lord, received them, conversed with them, confessed them, and directed them to the only true path. He was a man of extraordinary spiritual vision, and could see clearly into the hearts of those who came to him. Presented here is a complete biography of this great Elder, including his talks on a variety of subjects, excerpts from the journal of his cell-attendant, the future Elder Nikon, and selections from his spiritual poetry. Paperback, 840 pp., illustrated. HER1317 $25.50

Elder Joseph of Optina (1837-1911) The closest disciple of the great Elder Amvrosy. Describes his childhood, spiritual formation, and spiritual gifts to which he attained. Very inspiring. 312 pp. HTF1403 $20.00

Elder Leonid of Optina Elder Leonid introduced and irmly established the tradition of eldership transmitted from St. Paisius Velichkovsky founded on the Gospels and the teachings of the Holy Fathers. 272 pp. HER1318 $14.00

Elder Macarius of Optina A translation of his Life, written by one of his closest disciples. HER1320 $20.00

Elder Moses of Optina The elder brother of Elder Anthony, he first became a hermit of the Roslavl forest and later the abbot of Optina. A translation from the Russian biography published in Moscow in 1882. Contains many letters, photographs and index. 395 pp. HTF1404 $22.00

NEW! Elder Nektary of Optina Elder Nektary (1853-1928) was the last elder to function as such at Optina. He was in Optina when it was forcibly closed by the communists in 1923, and spent his remaining years in exile from his spiritual home. Marked by simplicity, childlikeness, spontaneity and creativity, Elder Nektary radiated joy to the thousands of suffering souls who came to him. He passed on his Optina inheritance to many worthy disciples, who later transmitted it to America. Contains the Prima Vita of Elder Nektary by I.M. Kontzevitch, collected letters of Elder Nektary, a biographical sketch of the Elder published by Optina Monastery in 1996, and a number of contributions from various sources. 515 pp. HER374 $25.00

Reminiscenses - Recollections About Elder Nektary of Optina Personal recollections by a spiritual daughter of St. Nektary and wife of Fr. Adrian Rimarenko (later Archbishop Andrew of Novo-Diveyevo). 48 pp. HTJ1629 $3.50

A Collection of Letters to Nuns: Profitable Instructions for Laymen and Monastics by St. Anatoly of Optina These letters are filled with simplicity, sincerity, faith and humor - all directed towards the salvation of the souls of those entrusted to him. Also contains a life of St. Anatoly, glossary and subject index. 308 pp. HTJ16110 $22.00

Russian Letters of Spiritual Direction by St. Macarius, Staretz of Optina In these letters from St. Macarius, we find questions and answers on all manner of subjects. Though his responses are not a generalized rule of conduct for all, his words of counsel reflect a tradition stretching back to the Desert Fathers. 115 pp. MES6344 $12.00

Orthodox Voices Cassette #2 Glorification of the Optina Elders: Fr. Gregory Naumenko / The Royal Martyrs of Russia: Fr. Demetrios Serfes / Blessed are the Poor in Spirit: Fr. Konstantine Fedoroff / Selected Hymns: Holy Trinity Monastery. OV#2 $8.50

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