We celebrate the memory on October 11 (24)

Kontakion 1

Chosen by God from the vain world, to you, O Reverend Fathers of Optinstia, who reverently lifted up your cross and followed Christ in faith, as our bold representative before the Lord, now offering earnest prayer, we cry out with love:

Ikos 1

Having sought the angelic monastic life with all your heart, rejected all worldly attachments, rejected godly wisdom, and flowed into the arms of the Father with love into the monastery of Optina, walking along a narrow and sorrowful path until the end of your days. For this reason, we sing the praises of Sitsa:

Rejoice, you who joyfully came to the call of the Lord;

Rejoice, having followed Christ with all your desires.

Rejoice, having accepted your cross on your frame;

Rejoice, you who have loved nothing more than the Lord.

Rejoice, having completely denied yourself for Christ’s sake;

Rejoice, heiress of the Kingdom of God.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 2

Having seen the snares of the devil, like a spider spread out in the world, and having felt in the depths of your hearts that people are saved from them only by humility, you yourself, in warm prayer before the Lord, call out with tenderness: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Having understood with your heart and mind that every living person is not justified by his deeds before God, and always contains his sins before your eyes, the currents of tears, visible to the only Lord, do not cease to flow, bringing repentance of the soul to Him, His image is shown to us, crying:

Rejoice, you who have seen your sins unconcealed;

Rejoice, having received the gift of tenderness and tears from the Lord.

Rejoice, you who have known the bliss of weeping for sins;

Rejoice, you who have acquired incessant sorrow for them.

Rejoice, repentance on the land of the preacher;

Rejoice, you are now comforted in heaven by the Lord.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 3

Believe the power of the redemptive suffering of Christ, O saints, as the indestructible hope of salvation, for the worst of all people and those who are not worthy of mercy, thinking, and for this reason, with much humility and thanksgiving, you ever cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having in your hearts the divine gift of humility, true disciples of Christ, who humbled Himself even to the point of death on the cross, all your deeds and labors are imputed to nothing. Increasingly by the feat, especially by the growth and humility, marveling at it, we say:

Rejoice, obedience and humility taught by the Savior;

Rejoice, for the Lord’s humility and ascension of Glory.

Rejoice, having achieved freedom from anger and meekness through humility;

Rejoice, for through humility and self-reproach your souls have found peace.

Rejoice, chosen ones enriched by spiritual poverty;

Rejoice, for yours is the kingdom of heaven, prepared for the poor in spirit.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 4

The storm of passions, raised up by the flesh and the devil, quenching the mind, the ruler over the destructive passions, postnically, having courageously forced the nature, daring by the grace of God to subdue the worse to the better and enslave the flesh to the spirit, To the hero of Christ, sing without ceasing: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing the word of the Lord, that the kingdom of heaven is in need and only the needy are delighted with it, with fasting, vigil and prayer, you constantly strived and crucified your flesh with the passions and lusts of Christ, inviolably observing the monastic rules. We also honor you:

Rejoice, you who bore the good yoke of Christ through labor and labor;

Rejoice, you who have not extinguished your spirit with sobriety of heart.

Rejoice, you who set your lips on strong guardianship;

Rejoice, you who mercilessly oppressed your own body.

Rejoice, you who combined mental work with physical feats;

Rejoice, in your patience your souls have gained.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 5

The luminous name of Jesus, like an invincible weapon against the demonic army, is constantly carried in the heart with faith, the ever-flowing source of grace is found, ascending from strength to strength and adding fire to fire, chanting to God with purified meaning: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Constantly perceiving our own weakness and the saving, grace-filled power of the Jesus Prayer, having ceased to do it in no way, cutting through the temptations of passions and burning all the machinations of the enemy, in the silence of the heart a prayerful conversation with the Lord has been mysteriously acquired, you teach us to cry out to you:

Rejoice, having immersed your whole mind in prayer;

Rejoice, you who have had complete grief in your hearts.

Rejoice, you who thought of nothing in vanity during prayer;

Rejoice, you who continually called upon the name of Jesus.

Rejoice, heartfelt prayers made by the ascetic;

Rejoice, you who have received everything you asked in the name of the Lord.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 6

Standing with your heart in prayer before the Cross for the sins of mankind of the suffering Lord, you will weep, venerable one, with sorrow for your sins consumed and with unspeakable love for our Redeemer, kindled, until the end of your life you tremblingly cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

The light of Divine love has shone in your hearts, you have hated and abhorred earthly glory and praise, but you have joyfully accepted dishonor from men and all sorrows with an open heart, and have diligently participated in the reproach of Christ. The image of suffering and patience is shown to us, calling:

Rejoice, you who bore the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ on your body;

Rejoice, reproach, like a cleansing medicine, you who drank diligently.

Rejoice, having turned away from earthly honors with all your heart;

Rejoice, you have prayed with love for those who hate you.

Rejoice, those who have offended you, as those who loved you benefactors;

Rejoice, thank the merciful Lord who has never passed away.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 7

Although the Lord saved all mankind and came into the mind of truth, seeing your good will and unceasing labor in fulfilling His commandments, He opened your mind to understand His ways and taught you by His justification. With the same enlightened heart I will sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Wonderful are Thy works, O Lord, that Thou didst admonish Thy servants even more than a scribe, who seek Thee with all their hearts, and open their eyes, that they may understand the wonders of Thy law. We bless Thy saints, our fathers Optinverse, who have always studied Thy commandments, which we loved dearly, and we sing to them:

Rejoice, O words of God, for you have hidden much wealth in your heart;

Rejoice, having loved the path of God’s commandments with all your heart.

Rejoice, you who hate every path of unrighteousness;

Rejoice, you who have strayed from the path of the Lord.

Rejoice, having prepared yourself for the good fight and not being embarrassed;

Rejoice, having embraced the word of God, having found much peace in Christ.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 8

Thinking of strangers and strangers on earth, do not desire to acquire anything from the corruptible things of this world, so that your hearts will not be drawn to the earth, but cling to the one God, purely lifting up the song to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Every carnal passion that separates you from the love of the Lord is wholeheartedly rejected, seeking the only need. Always sit at the foot of Jesus with unswerving love, not attaching your heart to the good things of this life, and placing all your trust in the Lord. We also praise you, saints:

Rejoice, having passed away your life without attachment to the world;

Rejoice, having freed yourself from earthly worries and having known the sweetness of pure prayer.

Rejoice, having put aside the cares of this life with firm faith;

Rejoice, having slain the destructive passions through non-covetousness and obedience.

Rejoice, you have holyly kept the monastic vow of non-covetousness;

Rejoice, obedients of Christ who have cut off their will.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 9

All your prayers and all your strength, O Reverend, strive to achieve purity of soul and body, without which no one will see God; In the same way, with a pure heart, in the paradise of the Lord you have been deemed worthy to sing the wonderful song of the righteous, calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Carnal lust that wars on the soul through fasting and taming prayer, do not allow sinful thoughts to prevail over you, from the Lord God, who alone has the power to overcome the order of nature, receive the gift of purity and chastity. Take therefore the following praise from us:

Rejoice, having attracted the grace of God in the struggle against the flesh with humility;

Rejoice, having loved labors and hardships and rejected bodily peace.

Rejoice, by fasting and all-night prayers you have mortified the lust of the flesh;

Rejoice, you who have overcome the laws of nature by the power of Christ.

Rejoice, you have brought your bodies and souls pure to the Lord;

Rejoice, pure of heart, seeing God in eternal bliss.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 10

If you want to save your souls for eternal life, all thoughts about earthly and temporal things are given to our Savior, who gave the great commandment about love to His disciple, followed by deed and truth. For the sake of your neighbors, then, with warm love, love the Heavenly Father of all people, calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Having loved your neighbor with all your soul, you have found the Kingdom of God within yourself, and in the same way, the fire of God’s love has descended into your hearts, which you are incredibly satisfied with, completely sacrificing yourself in the deed of love. Now you hear this reverent singing from us:

Rejoice, having loved all people with holy love;

Rejoice, that in some way you can save all who have been.

Rejoice, you who sighed tearfully over human sorrows;

Rejoice, you who have contained all those who flow in your hearts.

Rejoice, having vainly let go of no one;

Rejoice, you who have given your souls for your neighbors.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 11

We offer prayer singing to you, our venerable fathers of Optinstia, for it is truly your right to walk in your path by knowledge. Blessed are you, who worked for Christ and put the power of the enemy to shame, the true rule of virtue was shown to all who call upon the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

We praise your bright deeds, our reverend fathers Optinstia, we bless you, as glorious mentors of monks and wonderful interlocutors of Angels now in heaven standing before the Throne of God and praying for us, singing to you with love:

Rejoice, zealot of unceasing zeal for sobriety;

Rejoice, guardian of the incessant flame of the heart.

Rejoice, steadfast pillars of obedience, having endured everything;

Rejoice, you who through many sorrows have entered the Kingdom of God.

Rejoice, equal angelic ascetic of the monastic life;

Rejoice, good servants of God, blasia and faith.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 12

Ask the Lord for the gift of grace, for bliss, we pray to those who truly praise you. Hear our sighs, do not despise our tears. Pray to the Lord to quench our fierce passions, to give us lamentation over our sins, so that with a pure soul and undefiled lips we may be worthy to sing with you in the paradise of the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Now that you are singing, O Reverend, with voices of praise, we know that you do not seek the singing of the lips, but through your feat of following, humility of heart and a life of correction. Moreover, in repentance we ask for your help, but strive for love, we say:

Rejoice, protectors of the good of those who live;

Rejoice, you who strengthen the weak and the orphaned.

Rejoice, you who extend a helping hand to those who are falling;

Rejoice, you who send down comforting tears to those who repent.

Rejoice, to all who call upon you to be a quick helper;

Rejoice, warm intercessors of our salvation before God.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 13

About the glorification of the saints of Christ, the reverend fathers and elders, Moses, Anthony, Isaac, Hilarion, Anatoly, Joseph and the second Isaac, Leo, Macarius, Ambrose, Barsanuphius, the second Anatoly, Nektarios and Nikon, like the seven pillars and seven lamps in the Optina monastery that shone forth : Hear our present prayer and ask us from the Lord for humility and remembrance of death, that the Lord will deliver us from all evil and grant the Christian death of all those who cry out to Him: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

PRAYER

Divine host of saints, father, God-bearing elders of Optinstia, who shone with angelic life on earth and glorified in the heavenly city! We know that in the days of your earthly service no one was tired and inconsolable from you, but everything was quick for everyone: healing for the sick, affirmation for the doubtful, comfort for the sad, as the grace of healing, insight, healing for the weak souls appeared abundantly in you. But even now it is natural for all of us to intercede, and for our suffering Fatherland we are saddened before the throne of God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us. Look now from the height of glory and see your flock, which naturally grazed in the pastures of the teachings of Christ, as if they were confused and overthrown, and were plundered by strangled wolves. Visit us, the weak and helpless, with your mercy, seek the lost, gather the scattered, convert the deceived and bring together the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; Even in your other life, protect from all the slander of the enemy, enlighten your youth, support your old age, and maintain marriages in peace and like-mindedness. Hear us, divine physicians of souls, and guide us on the path of repentance, and with your subsequent words, let us place ourselves and our lives in the hand of the great mercy of God, may His will guide our thoughts and feelings in all our deeds and words. Extend a helping hand to us, blessed fathers, and teach us to pray, to believe, to trust, to endure, to forgive and to love, so that by ever walking in the commandments of the Lord, through your intercession we will be worthy of the eternal joy of the Kingdom of Heaven, where together with you we will glorify God, wondrous in His saints , Father and Son and Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.

Akathist to the Cathedral of the Optina Elders

Kontakion 1

Ikos 1

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 2

Having seen the snares of the devil, like a spider spread out in the world, and having felt in the depths of your hearts that people are saved from them only by humility, you yourself, in warm prayer before the Lord, call out with tenderness: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Having understood with your heart and mind that every living person is not justified by his deeds before God, and always contains his sins before your eyes, the currents of tears, visible to the only Lord, do not cease to flow, bringing repentance of the soul to Him, His image is shown to us, crying out:

Rejoice, you who have seen your sins unconcealed. Rejoice, having received the gift of tenderness and tears from the Lord.

Rejoice, you who have known the bliss of weeping for sins. Rejoice, you who have acquired incessant sorrow for them.

Rejoice, preacher in the land of repentance. Rejoice, you are now comforted in heaven by the Lord.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 3

Believe the power of the redemptive suffering of Christ, O saints, as the indestructible hope of salvation, for the worst of all people and the least worthy of mercy, thinking, and for this reason, with much humility and thanksgiving, you ever cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having in your hearts the divine gift of humility, true disciples of Christ, who humbled Himself even to the point of death on the cross, all your deeds and labors are imputed to nothing. With increasing feat, especially growing and humility, marveling at it, we say:

Rejoice in obedience and humility taught by the Savior. Rejoice, for the Lord’s humility and ascension of Glory.

Rejoice, having achieved freedom from anger and meekness through humility. Rejoice, for through humility and self-reproach your souls have found peace.

Rejoice, chosen ones enriched by spiritual poverty. Rejoice, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven, prepared for the poor in spirit.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 4

The storm of passions, raised up by the flesh and the devil, quenching the mind, the ruler over the destructive passions, postnically, courageously forcing the nature, trying to subdue the worse by the grace of God to the better and enslaving the flesh to the spirit, sing to the hero Christ without ceasing: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Having heard the word of the Lord, that the Kingdom of Heaven is in need and only the needy are delighted with it, with fasting, vigil and prayer, you constantly strived and crucified your flesh with the passions and lusts of Christ, inviolably observing the monastic rules. We also honor you:

Rejoice, you who did not bear the good yoke of Christ through love and labor. Rejoice, you have not extinguished your spirit with sobriety of heart.

Rejoice, you who set your lips on strong guardianship. Rejoice, you who mercilessly oppressed your own body.

Rejoice, you who combined mental deeds with physical feats. Rejoice, in your patience your souls have gained.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 5

The luminous name of Jesus, like an invincible weapon against the demonic army, is constantly carried into the hearts with faith, the ever-flowing source of grace is found, ascending from strength to strength and adding fire to fire, with purified meaning you sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Constantly perceiving one’s own weakness and the saving, grace-filled power of the Jesus Prayer, never cease to do so, cutting through the passions of the passions and scorching all the machinations of the enemy. In the silence of the heart, prayerful conversation with the Lord has been mysteriously acquired, and you teach us to cry out to you:

Rejoice, having immersed your entire mind in prayer. Rejoice, you who have had complete sorrow in your heart.

Rejoice, you who thought of nothing in vanity during prayer. Rejoice, you who continually called on the name of Jesus.

Rejoice, heartfelt prayers from the ascetic. Rejoice, all who have asked in the name of the Lord and received prayer books.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 6

Standing with your heart in prayer before the Cross for the sins of mankind of the suffering Lord, you will weep, venerable one, with sorrow for your sins consumed and with unspeakable love for our Redeemer, kindled, until the end of your life you tremblingly cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

The light of divine love has shone in your hearts, you have hated and abhorred earthly glory and praise, but you have joyfully accepted dishonor from men and all sorrows with an open heart, and have diligently participated in the reproach of Christ. The image of suffering and patience is shown to us, calling:

Rejoice, you who bore the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ on your body. Rejoice, reproach, like a cleansing medicine, you who drank diligently.

Rejoice, having turned away from earthly honors with all your heart. Rejoice, you have prayed with love for those who hate you.

Rejoice, those who have offended you, as those who loved you benefactors. Rejoice, thank the merciful Lord who has never passed away.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 7

Although the Lord will save all mankind and come into the mind of truth, seeing your good will and unceasing labor in fulfilling His commandments, He opened your mind to understand His ways and taught you with His justification. With the same enlightened heart I will sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Wonderful are Thy works, O Lord, that Thou didst admonish Thy servants even more than a scribe, who seek Thee with all their hearts, and open their eyes, that they may understand the wonders of Thy law. We bless Thy saints, our fathers of Optina, who have always studied Thy commandments, which we loved dearly, and we sing to them:

Rejoice, O words of God, for you have hidden much wealth in your heart. Rejoice, having loved the path of God’s commandments with all your heart.

Rejoice, you who hate every path of unrighteousness. Rejoice, you who have strayed no further from the path of the Lord.

Rejoice, you who have prepared yourself for the good fight and have not been embarrassed. Rejoice, having embraced the word of God, having found much peace in Christ.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 8

Thinking of strangers and strangers to the earth for yourself, do not desire to acquire anything from the corruptible things of this world, so that your hearts will not be drawn to the earth, but cling to the one God, purely lifting up the song to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Every carnal passion that separates you from the love of the Lord is wholeheartedly rejected, seeking the only need. Always sit at the foot of Jesus with unswerving love, not attaching your heart to the good things of this life, and placing all your trust in the Lord. We also praise you, saints:

Rejoice, having passed away your life without attachment to the world. Rejoice, having freed yourself from earthly worries and having known the sweetness of pure prayer.

Rejoice, having put aside the cares of this life with firm faith. Rejoice, having killed the destructive passion through non-covetousness and obedience.

Rejoice, you have holyly kept the monastic vow of non-covetousness. Rejoice, obedients of Christ who have cut off their will.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 9

All your prayers and all your strength have been worthy, reverent one, in order to acquire purity of soul and body, without anyone else, no one will see God: therefore, with a pure heart, you have been vouchsafed in the paradise of the Lord worthy of singing the wonderful song of the righteous, calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Carnal lust that wars on the soul through fasting and taming prayer, do not allow sinful thoughts to prevail over you, from the Lord God, who alone has the power to overcome the order of nature, receive the gift of purity and chastity. Therefore, receive this praise from us: Rejoice, having attracted the grace of God in the struggle against the flesh with humility. Rejoice, having loved labors and hardships and rejected bodily peace. Rejoice, through fasting and all-night prayers you have slain the lust of the flesh. Rejoice, you who have overcome the laws of nature by the power of Christ. Rejoice, you have brought your bodies and souls pure to the Lord. Rejoice, pure of heart, seeing God in eternal bliss. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 10

To save at least your souls for eternal life, all thoughts about earthly and temporal things are lost, and to our Savior, the great commandment about love was given by His disciple, followed by deed and truth. For the sake of your neighbors, then, with warm love, love the Heavenly Father of all people, calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Having loved your neighbor with all your soul, you have found the Kingdom of God within yourself, and in the same way, the fire of God’s love has descended into your hearts, which you are incredibly satisfied with, completely sacrificing yourself in the deed of love. Now you hear this reverent singing from us:

Rejoice, having loved all people with holy love. Rejoice, for there is a way to save everyone who has been.

Rejoice, you who sighed tearfully over human sorrows. Rejoice, you who have contained all those who flow in your hearts.

Rejoice, having vainly let go of no one. Rejoice, you who have believed in your souls for your neighbors.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 11

We offer prayer singing to you, our venerable fathers of Optinstia, for it is truly your right to walk in the path of knowledge. Blessed are you, who worked for Christ and put the power of the enemy to shame, the true rule of virtue was shown to all who call to the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

We praise your bright deeds, our reverend fathers Optinstia, we bless you, as glorious mentors of monks and wonderful interlocutors of angels, now in Heaven standing before the Throne of God and praying for us, singing to you with love:

Rejoice, zealot of sobriety, unceasing zeal. Rejoice, guardian of the vigilant flame of the heart.

Rejoice, steadfast pillars of obedience, having endured everything. Rejoice, having entered into the Kingdom of God through many sorrows.

Rejoice, equal angelic ascetic of the monastic life. Rejoice, good servants of God, blasia and faith.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 12

Ask us for the gift of grace from the Lord, for bliss, we pray to those who truly praise you. Hear our sighs, do not despise our tears. Pray to the Lord to quench our fierce passions, to give us lamentation over our sins, so that with a pure soul and undefiled lips we may be worthy to sing with you in the paradise of the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Now that you are singing, O Reverend, with voices of praise, we know that you do not seek the singing of the lips, but through your feat of following, humility of heart and a life of correction. Moreover, in repentance we ask for your help, but strive for love, we say:

Rejoice, protectors of the good inhabitants. Rejoice, you who strengthen the weak and orphaned.

Rejoice, you who extend a helping hand to those who fall. Rejoice, you who send down comforting tears to those who repent.

Rejoice, to all who call upon you to be a quick helper. Rejoice, warm intercessors of our salvation before God.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 13

Kontakion 13

About the glorification of the saints of Christ, the reverend fathers and elders, Moses, Anthony, Isaac, Hilarion, Anatoly, Joseph and the second Isaac, Leo, Macarius, Ambrose, Barsanuphius, the second Anatoly, Nektarios and Nikon, like the seven pillars and seven lamps in the Optina monastery that shone forth ! Hear our current prayer and ask the Lord for humility and remembrance of death, that the Lord will deliver us from all evil and grant the Christian death of all those who cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Kontakion 13

About the glorification of the saints of Christ, the reverend fathers and elders, Moses, Anthony, Isaac, Hilarion, Anatoly, Joseph and the second Isaac, Leo, Macarius, Ambrose, Barsanuphius, the second Anatoly, Nektarios and Nikon, like the seven pillars and seven lamps in the Optina monastery that shone forth ! Hear our current prayer and ask the Lord for humility and remembrance of death, that the Lord will deliver us from all evil and grant the Christian death of all those who cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 1

Having sought the angelic monastic life with all your heart, rejected all worldly attachments, rejected God-wisdom, and flowed into the arms of the Father with love into the monastery of Optina, walking along a narrow and sorrowful path until the end of your days. For this reason, we sing the praises of Sitsa:

Rejoice, you who joyfully came to the call of the Lord. Rejoice, having followed Christ with all your desires.

Rejoice, having accepted your cross on your frame. Rejoice, you who have loved nothing more than the Lord.

Rejoice, having completely rejected yourself for the sake of Christ. Rejoice, heiress of the Kingdom of God.

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Kontakion 1

Chosen by God from the vanity of the world, to you, O Reverend Fathers of Optinstia, reverently lifting up your cross, and following Christ by faith, as our bold representative before the Lord, now offering fervent prayer, we cry out with love:

Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the luminary.

Prayer

O divine host of venerable fathers, God-bearing elders of Optinstia, who shone with angelic life on earth and were glorified in the heavenly city! We know that in the days of your earthly service no one was tired and inconsolable from you, but everything was quick for everyone: healing for the sick, affirmation for the doubtful, comfort for the sad, as the grace of healing, insight, healing for the weak souls appeared abundantly in you. But even now we are all interceding, and for our suffering Fatherland we dream before the Throne of God that we are sad, for you have been given to pray for us: look from the glory above and see your flock, which naturally shepherded in the pastures of the teachings of Christ, as if they were confused and defeated , and is plundered from strangled wolves. Visit us, the weak and helpless, with your kindness, seek the erring, gather the scattered, convert the deluded, and unite the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church: protect us from all the slander of the enemy in our monastic life, enlighten our youth, support our old age, preserve marriages in peace and unanimity. Hear us, divine physician of souls, and guide us on the path of repentance, and then with your words, let us place ourselves and our whole life in the hand of the great mercy of God, may His will guide our thoughts and feelings in all our deeds and words. Give us a helping hand. Blessed Fathers, and teach us to pray, to believe, to trust, to endure, to forgive and to love: so that by ever walking in the commandments of the Lord, through your intercession we will be made worthy of eternal joy, the Kingdom of Heaven, where together with you we will glorify God, wondrous in His saints, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

Kontakion 1

Chosen by God from the vanity of the world, to you, O Reverend Fathers of Optinstia, having reverently lifted up your cross and following Christ in faith, as our bold representative before the Lord, now offering earnest prayer, we cry out with love: Rejoice, Reverend Fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Ikos 1

Having sought the angelic monastic life with all your heart, rejected all worldly attachments, rejected God's wisdom, and flowed into the arms of the Father with love into the monastery of Optina, walking along a narrow and sorrowful path until the end of your days. For this reason, we sing to the Lord: Rejoice, you who joyfully came to the call of the Lord; Rejoice, having followed Christ with all your desires. Rejoice, having accepted your cross on your frame; Rejoice, you who have loved nothing more than the Lord. Rejoice, having completely denied yourself for Christ’s sake; Rejoice, heiress of the Kingdom of God and bliss. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 2

Having seen the snares of the devil, like a spider spread out in the world, and having felt in the depths of your hearts that people are saved from them only by humility, you yourself, in warm prayer before the Lord, call out with tenderness: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Having understood with your heart and mind that every living person is not justified by his deeds before God, and always contains his sins before your eyes, the currents of tears, visible to the only Lord, do not cease, bringing repentance of the soul to Him, His image is shown to us, crying: Rejoice, sins their own undisguised ones who have received the light; Rejoice, you who have received the gift of tenderness and tears from the Lord. Rejoice, you who have known the bliss of weeping for sins; Rejoice, you who have acquired never-ending sorrow for them. Rejoice, preachers in the land of repentance; Rejoice, you are now comforted in heaven by the Lord. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 3

Believe the power of the redemptive suffering of Christ, O saints, as the indestructible hope of salvation, for the worst of all people and the least worthy of mercy, thinking, and for this reason, with much humility and thanksgiving, you ever cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having in your hearts the Divine gift of humility, true disciples of Christ, who humbled Himself even to the death of the Cross, all your deeds and labors cannot be imputed to anything. By increasing feat, especially growing and humility, marveling at it, we say: Rejoice, obedience and humility taught by the Savior; Rejoice for the humility of the Lord of Glory ascension. Rejoice, having achieved freedom from anger and meekness through humility; Rejoice, for through humility and self-reproach your souls have found peace. Rejoice, chosen ones enriched by spiritual poverty; Rejoice, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven, prepared for the poor in spirit. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 4

The storm of passions, raised up by the flesh and the devil, quenching the mind, the ruler over the destructive passions, postnically, courageously forcing the nature, trying to subdue the worse by the grace of God to the better and enslaving the flesh to the spirit, sing to the hero Christ without ceasing: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing the word of the Lord, that the Kingdom of Heaven is in need and only the needy are delighted with it, with fasting, vigil and prayer, you constantly strived and crucified your flesh with the passions and lusts of Christ, inviolably observing the monastic rules. In the same way, we please you: Rejoice, you have not borne the good yoke of Christ; Rejoice, you have not quenched your spirit with sobriety of heart. Rejoice, you who set your lips on strong guardianship; Rejoice, you who mercilessly oppressed your own body. Rejoice, you who combined mental work with physical feats; Rejoice, in your patience your souls have gained. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 5

The luminous name of Jesus, like an invincible weapon against the demonic army, is constantly carried in the heart with faith, the ever-flowing source of grace is found, rising from strength to strength and adding fire to fire, you sing to God with purified meaning: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Constantly perceiving our own weakness and the saving, grace-filled power of the Jesus Prayer, never cease to do it, cutting through the passions and burning all the machinations of the enemy, in the silence of the heart a prayerful conversation with the Lord has mysteriously acquired, you teach us to cry out to you: Rejoice, having immersed your whole mind in prayer ; Rejoice, you who have had complete grief in your hearts. Rejoice, you who thought of nothing in vanity during prayer; Rejoice, you who continually called on the name of Jesus. Rejoice, heartfelt prayers made by the ascetic; Rejoice, all who ask in the name of the Lord and receive prayer books. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 6

Standing with your heart in prayer before the Cross for the sins of mankind of the suffering Lord, you weep, venerable one, sorrow for your sins, consumed and inflamed with unspeakable love for our Redeemer, until the end of your life you tremblingly cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

The light of Divine love has shone in your hearts, you have hated and abhorred earthly glory and praise, but you have joyfully accepted dishonor from men and all sorrows with an open heart, and have diligently participated in the reproach of Christ. For we have shown the image of suffering and patience, calling: Rejoice, you who bore the wounds of the Lord Jesus Christ on your body; Rejoice, reproach, like a cleansing medicine, you who drank diligently. Rejoice, having turned away from earthly honors with all your heart; Rejoice, you have prayed with love for those who hate you. Rejoice, those who have offended you, as those who loved you benefactors; Rejoice, give thanks to the Merciful Lord who has never passed away. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 7

Although the Lord saved all mankind and came into the mind of truth, seeing your good will and unceasing labor in fulfilling His commandments, He opened your mind to understand His ways and taught you by His justification. With the same enlightened heart I will sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Wonderful are Thy works, O Lord, that Thou didst admonish Thy servants even more than a scribe, who seek Thee with all their hearts, and open their eyes, that they may understand the wonders of Thy law. We bless Thy saints, our fathers Optinstich, who have ever studied in Thy commandments, even though we loved them dearly, and we sing to them: Rejoice, O words of God, for you have hidden much wealth in your heart; Rejoice, having loved the path of God’s commandments with all your heart. Rejoice, you who hate every path of unrighteousness; Rejoice, you who have strayed from the path of the Lord. Rejoice, you who have prepared yourself for the good fight and are not embarrassed; Rejoice, having embraced the word of God, having found much peace in Christ. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 8

Thinking of strangers and strangers on earth, do not desire to acquire anything from the corruptible things of this world, so that your hearts will not be drawn to the earth, but cling to the one God, purely lifting up the song to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Every carnal passion that separates you from the love of the Lord is wholeheartedly rejected, seeking the only need. Always sit at the foot of Jesus with unswerving love, not attaching your heart to the good things of this life, and placing all your trust in the Lord. We also praise you, saints: Rejoice, having ended your life without attachment to the world; Rejoice, having freed yourself from earthly worries and having known the sweetness of pure prayer. Rejoice, having put aside the cares of this life with firm faith; Rejoice, having slain the destructive passions through non-covetousness and obedience. Rejoice, you have holyly kept the monastic vow of non-covetousness; Rejoice, obedients of Christ who have cut off their will. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 9

All your prayers and all your strength, venerable one, strive to achieve purity of soul and body, without which, according to the words of Christ, no one will see God; In the same way, with a pure heart, in the paradise of the Lord you have been deemed worthy to sing the wonderful song of the righteous, calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

You do not allow carnal lusts to fight against your soul through taming fasting and prayer, and sinful thoughts, from the Lord God, who alone has the power to overcome the rank of nature, the gift of purity and chastity. Therefore, receive this praise from us: Rejoice, having attracted the grace of God in the struggle against the flesh with humility; Rejoice, having loved labors and hardships, having rejected bodily peace. Rejoice, by fasting and all-night prayers you have mortified the lust of the flesh; Rejoice, you who have conquered nature by the power of Christ. Rejoice, you have brought your bodies and souls pure to the Lord; Rejoice, pure of heart, seeing God in eternal bliss. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 10

If you want to save your souls for eternal life, all thoughts about earthly and temporal things are given to our Savior, who gave the great commandment about love to His disciple, followed by deed and truth. For the sake of your neighbors, then, with warm love, love the Heavenly Father of all people, calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Having loved your neighbor with all your soul, you have found the Kingdom of God within yourself, and in the same way, the fire of God’s love has descended into your hearts, which you are incredibly satisfied with, completely sacrificing yourself in the deed of love. Now you hear this reverent singing from us: Rejoice, having loved all men with holy love; Rejoice, in some way to save, to all who have been. Rejoice, you who sighed tearfully over human sorrows; Rejoice, you who have contained all those who flow in your hearts. Rejoice, having vainly let go of no one; Rejoice, you who have given your souls for your neighbors. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 11

We offer prayer singing to you, our venerable fathers of Optinstia, for it is truly your right to walk in your path by knowledge. Blessed are you, who worked for Christ and disgraced the power of the enemy, the true rule of virtue was shown to all who call upon the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

We praise your bright deeds, our reverend fathers Optinstia, we bless you, as glorious mentors of monks and wonderful interlocutors of Angels now in heaven standing before the Throne of God and praying for us, singing to you with love: Rejoice, zealot of sobriety, unceasing zeal; Rejoice, guardian of the vigilant flame of the heart. Rejoice, steadfast pillars of obedience, having endured everything; Rejoice, having entered into the Kingdom of God through many sorrows. Rejoice, equal angelic ascetic of the monastic life; Rejoice, good servants of God, blasia and faith. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 12

Ask us from the Lord for the gift of grace, you who truly praise for blessing. Hear our sighs, do not despise our tears. Pray to the Lord to quench our fierce passions, to give us lamentation over our sins, so that with a pure soul and undefiled lips we may be worthy to sing with you in the paradise of the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Now that you are singing, O Reverend, with voices of praise, we know that you do not seek the singing of the lips, but through your feat of following, humility of heart and a life of correction. Moreover, in repentance we ask for your help, and strive for love, with the verb: Rejoice, you who protect the good of those who live; Rejoice, you who strengthen the weak and the orphaned. Rejoice, you who extend a helping hand to those who are falling; Rejoice, you who send down comforting tears to those who repent. Rejoice, to all who call upon you to be a quick helper; Rejoice, warm intercessors of our salvation before God. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 13

About the glorification of the saints of Christ, the reverend fathers and elders, Moses, Anthony, Isaac, Hilarion, Anatoly, Joseph and the Second Isaac, Leo, Macarius, Ambrose, Barsanuphius, the Second Anatoly, Nektarios and Nikon, like the seven pillars and seven lamps in the Optina monastery that shone forth ! Hear our current prayer and ask the Lord for humility and remembrance of death, that the Lord will deliver us from all evil and grant the Christian death of all those who cry out to Him: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, and then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Prayer to the venerable father and elder who shone in the Optina Hermitage

O great saints of God, pillars and lamps of the Land of Russia, our reverend and God-bearing fathers Optinstia, Leo, Macarius, Moses, Anthony, Hilarion, Ambrose, Anatoly, Isaac and Joseph, Barsanuphius, Anatoly, Nektarios, Nikon and Isaac, according to the law of the Gospel of the Lord She loved God with all her heart and with all her soul and with all her mind and for the salvation of all God’s people; For this reason, under the protection of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos, we came to the monastery of Optina, founded by a repentant thief, who came along the narrow and sorrowful path of humility and self-reproach until the end of your days, having also abundantly acquired the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit; old and young, noble and simple, wise of this age and weak-minded, who have lost nothing from those who are coming to you, who have let go of no one in vain and inconsolable, but who have enlightened everyone with the light of the truth of Christ and spiritually resurrected them, your neighbors as yourself, who have loved even those in your heart containing, according to the words of the Apostle, prophesying and edifying, exhorting and comforting. Pray to the Merciful Lord, in the heavenly abode of the prudent thief who has taken Himself with Him, to grant us, unworthy, as workers of the eleventh hour, a spirit of contrition, purification of the heart, guardianship of the mouth, righteousness of actions, humble wisdom, tears of repentance, unshameful faith, unfeigned love, peace of mind and physical health, may the Lord grant us a good answer at His Last Judgment through your intercession, saving us from eternal torment, and may the Kingdom of Heaven be honored with you forever and ever. Amen.

Troparion, tone 6

The lamps of the Orthodox faith, the unshakable pillars of monasticism, the consolation of the Russian land, the venerable elders of Optinstia, who have acquired the love of Christ and laid down their souls for their children, pray to the Lord that your earthly Fatherland may establish your earthly Fatherland in Orthodoxy and piety and save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 4

Truly marvelous is God in His saints, the wilderness of Optina, like the helipad of eldership, revealed, where the divinely enlightened fathers, who knew the secret of the human heart, appeared to the sorrowful people of God's goodness: these, for those who were burdened with sin, were instructed on the path of repentance, those who wavered in faith were enlightened by the light of Christ's teaching and taught God's wisdom, to the suffering and the weak he gave mercy and granted healing. Now, abiding in the glory of God, we pray unceasingly for our souls.

TO og-da soul for God's sake, and the body blah-go-ra-zu-miu soul-shi in-cor-but, then -la see these: love for God and neighbor, peace with everyone, meekness, simplicity, goodness, mi -lo-ser-die to everyone, modesty, self-restraint, integrity, wisdom, kindness and so on. And these deeds are the fruits of the Holy Spirit and are called into the soul.

all teachings →

Optina
books

Schedule of Divine Services

September ← →

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
						1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30

Latest photo album

Transfiguration

Video

Spiritual conversations with pilgrims

all videos →

Akathist to the Council of the Reverend Fathers and Elders in Optina Pustyn who shone forth

Written by Ivan Belyaev,
brother of the Rev. Nikona (Belyaeva)

Kontakion 1

Chosen by God from the vanity of the world, to you, O Reverend Fathers of Optinstia, having reverently lifted up your cross and following Christ in faith, as our bold representative before the Lord, now offering earnest prayer, we cry out with love: Rejoice, Reverend Fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Ikos 1

Having sought the angelic monastic life with all your heart, rejected all worldly attachments, rejected God's wisdom, and flowed into the arms of the Father with love into the monastery of Optina, walking along a narrow and sorrowful path until the end of your days. For this reason, we sing to the Lord: Rejoice, you who joyfully came to the call of the Lord; Rejoice, having followed Christ with all your desires. Rejoice, having accepted your cross on your frame; Rejoice, you who have loved nothing more than the Lord. Rejoice, having completely denied yourself for Christ’s sake; Rejoice, heiress of the Kingdom of God and bliss. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 2

Having seen the snares of the devil, like a spider spread out in the world, and having felt in the depths of your hearts that people are saved from them only by humility, you yourself, in warm prayer before the Lord, call out with tenderness: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Having understood with your heart and mind that every living person is not justified by his deeds before God, and always contains his sins before your eyes, the currents of tears, visible to the only Lord, do not cease, bringing repentance of the soul to Him, His image is shown to us, crying: Rejoice, sins their own undisguised ones who have received the light; Rejoice, you who have received the gift of tenderness and tears from the Lord. Rejoice, you who have known the bliss of weeping for sins; Rejoice, you who have acquired never-ending sorrow for them. Rejoice, preachers in the land of repentance; Rejoice, you are now comforted in heaven by the Lord. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 3

Believe the power of the redemptive suffering of Christ, O saints, as the indestructible hope of salvation, for the worst of all people and the least worthy of mercy, thinking, and for this reason, with much humility and thanksgiving, you ever cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having in your hearts the Divine gift of humility, true disciples of Christ, who humbled Himself even to the death of the Cross, all your deeds and labors cannot be imputed to anything. By increasing feat, especially growing and humility, marveling at it, we say: Rejoice, obedience and humility taught by the Savior; Rejoice for the humility of the Lord of Glory ascension. Rejoice, having achieved freedom from anger and meekness through humility; Rejoice, for through humility and self-reproach your souls have found peace. Rejoice, chosen ones enriched by spiritual poverty; Rejoice, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven, prepared for the poor in spirit. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 4

The storm of passions, raised up by the flesh and the devil, quenching the mind, the ruler over the destructive passions, postnically, courageously forcing the nature, trying to subdue the worse by the grace of God to the better and enslaving the flesh to the spirit, sing to the hero Christ without ceasing: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing the word of the Lord, that the Kingdom of Heaven is in need and only the needy are delighted with it, with fasting, vigil and prayer, you constantly strived and crucified your flesh with the passions and lusts of Christ, inviolably observing the monastic rules. In the same way, we please you: Rejoice, you have not borne the good yoke of Christ; Rejoice, you have not quenched your spirit with sobriety of heart. Rejoice, you who set your lips on strong guardianship; Rejoice, you who mercilessly oppressed your own body. Rejoice, you who combined mental work with physical feats; Rejoice, in your patience your souls have gained. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 5

The luminous name of Jesus, like an invincible weapon against the demonic army, is constantly carried in the heart with faith, the ever-flowing source of grace is found, rising from strength to strength and adding fire to fire, you sing to God with purified meaning: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Constantly perceiving our own weakness and the saving, grace-filled power of the Jesus Prayer, never cease to do it, cutting through the passions and burning all the machinations of the enemy, in the silence of the heart a prayerful conversation with the Lord has mysteriously acquired, you teach us to cry out to you: Rejoice, having immersed your whole mind in prayer ; Rejoice, you who have had complete grief in your hearts. Rejoice, you who thought of nothing in vanity during prayer; Rejoice, you who continually called on the name of Jesus. Rejoice, heartfelt prayers made by the ascetic; Rejoice, all who ask in the name of the Lord and receive prayer books. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 6

Standing with your heart in prayer before the Cross for the sins of mankind of the suffering Lord, you weep, venerable one, sorrow for your sins, consumed and inflamed with unspeakable love for our Redeemer, until the end of your life you tremblingly cry out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

The light of Divine love has shone in your hearts, you have hated and abhorred earthly glory and praise, but you have joyfully accepted dishonor from men and all sorrows with an open heart, and have diligently participated in the reproach of Christ. For we have shown the image of suffering and patience, calling: Rejoice, you who bore the wounds of the Lord Jesus Christ on your body; Rejoice, reproach, like a cleansing medicine, you who drank diligently. Rejoice, having turned away from earthly honors with all your heart; Rejoice, you have prayed with love for those who hate you. Rejoice, those who have offended you, as those who loved you benefactors; Rejoice, give thanks to the Merciful Lord who has never passed away. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 7

Although the Lord saved all mankind and came into the mind of truth, seeing your good will and unceasing labor in fulfilling His commandments, He opened your mind to understand His ways and taught you by His justification. With the same enlightened heart I will sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Wonderful are Thy works, O Lord, that Thou didst admonish Thy servants even more than a scribe, who seek Thee with all their hearts, and open their eyes, that they may understand the wonders of Thy law. We bless Thy saints, our fathers Optinstich, who have ever studied in Thy commandments, even though we loved them dearly, and we sing to them: Rejoice, O words of God, for you have hidden much wealth in your heart; Rejoice, having loved the path of God’s commandments with all your heart. Rejoice, you who hate every path of unrighteousness; Rejoice, you who have strayed from the path of the Lord. Rejoice, you who have prepared yourself for the good fight and are not embarrassed; Rejoice, having embraced the word of God, having found much peace in Christ. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 8

Thinking of strangers and strangers on earth, do not desire to acquire anything from the corruptible things of this world, so that your hearts will not be drawn to the earth, but cling to the one God, purely lifting up the song to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Every carnal passion that separates you from the love of the Lord is wholeheartedly rejected, seeking the only need. Always sit at the foot of Jesus with unswerving love, not attaching your heart to the good things of this life, and placing all your trust in the Lord. We also praise you, saints: Rejoice, having ended your life without attachment to the world; Rejoice, having freed yourself from earthly worries and having known the sweetness of pure prayer. Rejoice, having put aside the cares of this life with firm faith; Rejoice, having slain the destructive passions through non-covetousness and obedience. Rejoice, you have holyly kept the monastic vow of non-covetousness; Rejoice, obedients of Christ who have cut off their will. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 9

All your prayers and all your strength, venerable one, strive to achieve purity of soul and body, without which, according to the words of Christ, no one will see God; In the same way, with a pure heart, in the paradise of the Lord you have been deemed worthy to sing the wonderful song of the righteous, calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

You do not allow carnal lusts to fight against your soul through taming fasting and prayer, and sinful thoughts, from the Lord God, who alone has the power to overcome the rank of nature, the gift of purity and chastity. Therefore, receive this praise from us: Rejoice, having attracted the grace of God in the struggle against the flesh with humility; Rejoice, having loved labors and hardships, having rejected bodily peace. Rejoice, by fasting and all-night prayers you have mortified the lust of the flesh; Rejoice, you who have conquered nature by the power of Christ. Rejoice, you have brought your bodies and souls pure to the Lord; Rejoice, pure of heart, seeing God in eternal bliss. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 10

If you want to save your souls for eternal life, all thoughts about earthly and temporal things are given to our Savior, who gave the great commandment about love to His disciple, followed by deed and truth. For the sake of your neighbors, then, with warm love, love the Heavenly Father of all people, calling: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Having loved your neighbor with all your soul, you have found the Kingdom of God within yourself, and in the same way, the fire of God’s love has descended into your hearts, which you are incredibly satisfied with, completely sacrificing yourself in the deed of love. Now you hear this reverent singing from us: Rejoice, having loved all men with holy love; Rejoice, in some way to save, to all who have been. Rejoice, you who sighed tearfully over human sorrows; Rejoice, you who have contained all those who flow in your hearts. Rejoice, having vainly let go of no one; Rejoice, you who have given your souls for your neighbors. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 11

We offer prayer singing to you, our venerable fathers of Optinstia, for it is truly your right to walk in your path by knowledge. Blessed are you, who worked for Christ and disgraced the power of the enemy, the true rule of virtue was shown to all who call upon the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

We praise your bright deeds, our reverend fathers Optinstia, we bless you, as glorious mentors of monks and wonderful interlocutors of Angels now in heaven standing before the Throne of God and praying for us, singing to you with love: Rejoice, zealot of sobriety, unceasing zeal; Rejoice, guardian of the vigilant flame of the heart. Rejoice, steadfast pillars of obedience, having endured everything; Rejoice, having entered into the Kingdom of God through many sorrows. Rejoice, equal angelic ascetic of the monastic life; Rejoice, good servants of God, blasia and faith. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 12

Ask us from the Lord for the gift of grace, you who truly praise for blessing. Hear our sighs, do not despise our tears. Pray to the Lord to quench our fierce passions, to give us lamentation over our sins, so that with a pure soul and undefiled lips we may be worthy to sing with you in the paradise of the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Now that you are singing, O Reverend, with voices of praise, we know that you do not seek the singing of the lips, but through your feat of following, humility of heart and a life of correction. Moreover, in repentance we ask for your help, and strive for love, with the verb: Rejoice, you who protect the good of those who live; Rejoice, you who strengthen the weak and the orphaned. Rejoice, you who extend a helping hand to those who are falling; Rejoice, you who send down comforting tears to those who repent. Rejoice, to all who call upon you to be a quick helper; Rejoice, warm intercessors of our salvation before God. Rejoice, reverend fathers of Optinstia, for the grace of the eldership of the lamp.

Kontakion 13

About the glorification of the saints of Christ, the reverend fathers and elders, Moses, Anthony, Isaac, Hilarion, Anatoly, Joseph and the Second Isaac, Leo, Macarius, Ambrose, Barsanuphius, the Second Anatoly, Nektarios and Nikon, like the seven pillars and seven lamps in the Optina monastery that shone forth ! Hear our current prayer and ask the Lord for humility and remembrance of death, that the Lord will deliver us from all evil and grant the Christian death of all those who cry out to Him: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, and then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Prayer to the Reverend Father
and the old man who shone in Optina Hermitage

O great saints of God, pillars and lamps of the Land of Russia, our reverend and God-bearing fathers Optinstia, Leo, Macarius, Moses, Anthony, Hilarion, Ambrose, Anatoly, Isaac and Joseph, Barsanuphius, Anatoly, Nektarios, Nikon and Isaac, according to the law of the Gospel of the Lord She loved God with all her heart and with all her soul and with all her mind and for the salvation of all God’s people; For this reason, under the protection of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos, we came to the monastery of Optina, founded by a repentant thief, who came along the narrow and sorrowful path of humility and self-reproach until the end of your days, having also abundantly acquired the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit; old and young, noble and simple, wise of this age and weak-minded, who have lost nothing from those who are coming to you, who have let go of no one in vain and inconsolable, but who have enlightened everyone with the light of the truth of Christ and spiritually resurrected them, your neighbors as yourself, who have loved even those in your heart containing, according to the words of the Apostle, prophesying and edifying, exhorting and comforting. Pray to the Merciful Lord, in the heavenly abode of the prudent thief who has taken Himself with Him, to grant us, unworthy, as workers of the eleventh hour, a spirit of contrition, purification of the heart, guardianship of the mouth, righteousness of actions, humble wisdom, tears of repentance, unshameful faith, unfeigned love, peace of mind and physical health, may the Lord grant us a good answer at His Last Judgment through your intercession, saving us from eternal torment, and may we be honored with the Kingdom of Heaven with you forever and ever. Amen.

Troparion, tone 6

The lamps of the Orthodox faith, the unshakable pillars of monasticism, the consolation of the Russian land, the venerable elders of Optinstia, who have acquired the love of Christ and laid down their souls for their children, pray to the Lord that your earthly Fatherland may establish your earthly Fatherland in Orthodoxy and piety and save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 4

Truly marvelous is God in His saints, the wilderness of Optina, like the helipad of eldership, revealed, where the divinely enlightened fathers, who knew the secret of the human heart, appeared to the sorrowful people of God's goodness: these, for those who were burdened with sin, were instructed on the path of repentance, those who wavered in faith were enlightened by the light of Christ's teaching and taught God's wisdom, to the suffering and the weak he gave mercy and granted healing. Now, abiding in the glory of God, we pray unceasingly for our souls.