The main difference between this confessor of the other, just trying to sound like an old man, is wisdom and humility.One of the most famous and mysterious representatives of the Russian clergy, became a symbol of the oldest monastic abode in Russia - Optina, and personal spiritual mentor of the Russian Patriarch Kirill is the elder Eli.The man - a rare example of a light, the sublime and pure state of mind.That is why hundreds of people from all over the country every day seeking a meeting with him.
Who are the elders?
Everyone goes through life in their own way.In order not to stray from the right path, without falling into the abyss, he needs someone who will point benchmark, will not get lost, and at the right time to support and guide on the right path.These assistants from time immemorial in Russia were elders.They were respected and feared at the same time, because they - the followers of ancient Magi, absorbed the blood of ancestors of great wisdom.Many of the elders had a gift of prophecy and healing, but the main goal of this old man - to know God's revelation and spiritual help to the needy.
Elder Eli biography
Eli was born (in the world - Alex Afanasievich Nozdrin) in 1932 in a large peasant family in the village Stanovoi Kolodez Orel.His father, Athanasius, during World War II in 1942, was seriously wounded and died in hospital.His mother, Claudia V., single-handedly raised four children.After graduating from school in 1949, Alex was serving in the army.In 1955 he went to study at Serpukhov Mechanical College, and after its completion in 1958 was assigned to the Volgograd Region for the construction of a cotton plant in Kamyshin.But not finding themselves in the profession of the builder, he decided to devote his life to God, to study at the Theological Seminary in Saratov.In 1961, in connection with Khrushchev's persecution and pressure on the church, the seminary was closed, and Alex was forced to move to Leningrad, where he continued his studies at the Theological Academy and was tonsured a monk with the name of Ilian.
Since 1966, served as rector of the Pskov-Pechora monastery, and in 1976 was sent to bear obedience to the monastery Russian Panteleimon on Mount Athos in Greece.There's future elder Eli lived in a mountain hermitage and duhovnichal in Panteleimon Monastery.In the late 1980s, he was called back to the USSR and sent to the restored Optina desert, which zapustevala over the past 65 years.There Ilian accepted the great schema, providing perfect separation from the world for a reunion with God, and vows with the name of Eli.
Over the next 20 years, he has revived the monastery senile ministry, which eventually returned Optina grandeur.In 2009, Elder Eli was appointed spiritual director of the Patriarch of All Russia Kirill and moved to his residence in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in Peredelkino, Moscow region.In April 2010, on the feast of Easter Elder elevated to the rank of Patriarch skhiarhimandrita.
history monastery
Optina - Orthodox monastery for men, located two kilometers from the town of Kozelsk in the Kaluga region.According to ancient legend, the monastery was founded at the turn of XIV-XV centuries repentant robber Optoy (or Optiem), became a monk under the name Makarios.Optina monastery served as a refuge for old men and old women living in separate buildings of the monastery, but under the spiritual direction of the abbot.The first mention of the monastery can be found in cadastres Kozelsk, dating back to the reign of Boris Godunov.
At the beginning of the XVIII century Optina going through hard times due to constant dues to the state of war with the Swedes and the construction of St. Petersburg, and in 1724 in general was abolished under the Spiritual Rules and is attached to the Holy Transfiguration Monastery, located in the nearby town Belyov.Two years later, on the orders of Catherine II the monastery was restored, and instead it started the construction of new churches, which continued until the early twentieth century.
Optina has become one of the largest Orthodox spiritual centers of Russia from all sides pilgrims were drawn to it, and those who suffer, some of whom settled in the monastery hosted in 1821.To the extent that contributions abode acquired lands, mill.
In 1918 Optina was closed under the decree of the SNK of the RSFSR, and in 1939 the monastery of the order of L. Beria organized concentration camp for five thousand Polish soldiers shot later in Katyn.From 1944 to 1945.Here are the filtration camp for Soviet officers who had returned from captivity.
Optina today
Only in 1987 the Soviet government transferred the monastery at the disposal of the Russian Orthodox Church.From that moment began active restoration of the monastery - both material and spiritual.Ideologist and coordinator of the restoration of the monastery Optina - Elder Eli.It is thanks to this man monastery regained its glory of Orthodoxy and the largest center of pilgrimage.Its unique power and beauty temple attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.At the monastery located 7 operating temples:
- Vvedensky Cathedral - the main temple of the monastery;
- Church of St. John the Forerunner and Baptist John the Baptist in the Skeet;
- temple Venerable.Hilarion;
- Church of the Kazan Mother of God;
- Church of the Vladimir Mother of God;
- Transfiguration Church;
- Temple of the Mother of God "Sporitelnitsa bread."
Peredelkino Peredelkino Holiday Village is located in the Moscow region.Nearest railway station - "Peredelkino" and "Michurinets."The town is known not only for the monastery and the elder Elijah, as well as the fact that there once lived and worked famous writers and artists.Among them, Alexander Fadeyev, Bella Akhmadulina, Valentin Kataev, Okudzhava and Roots Chukovsky, who spent here his famous bonfires, where were the Rina Green, Arkady Raikin, Sergey Obraztsov.Here are the house-museum of Okudzhava, Pasternak, Chukovsky and Yevtushenko.
How to get to the monastery?
Given that Optina is near the railway station "Peredelkino" and "Kozelsk" to reach it by train in the cellar.With the Kiev railway station in Moscow trains go in the direction of Kaluga and Sukhinichi.Before Kozelsk and can be reached by bus from the metro station "Teply Stan".
The owners of vehicles, given the current abundance of different navigation systems and maps, also will not have any problems in finding the right path.But if you get to the monastery - it's not tricky, how to get to the elder Elijah at the reception - this is a completely different question.Before you hit the road for this purpose, you should know in advance about the daily routine in the monastery, as well as the schedule for admission.
God willing
Many people want to communicate with them the old man Eli (Peredelkino)."How to get an appointment to the elder, and will he?"- These are the main questions coming pilgrims.Of course, Schema-archimandrite not be able to meet all the suffering, but as they say local monks, God willing, the meeting will certainly take place.Usually Elder Eli takes before lunch in the dining room, where the tables are arranged arrived, and all moving around these tables.If people are in the queue or noisy debate, he personally disperse or reconcile guests.
Closer to 16 hours old man removed a holiday, but when you come back and come back on this day, the Lord alone knows.The monastery has its own Internet resource (www. Optina. Ru), where you can find out where and when the old man Eli will be another reception.
Power of Prayer
believed that prayer Elder has double the power, because it is the prayer of the enlightened.Rumor has it that if he shall pray for the repose of the soul, the soul of a sinner can be liberated even from the hellish captivity.An amazing event occurred in Optina.Once in a skit to Eli brought the badly wounded soldier in Chechnya.Doctors do not know how to save the military and did not dare to surgery, since he was unconscious, and the bullet was a few millimeters from the heart.Prayer Elder Elijah "Let God" forced to believe in a miracle desperate doctors - the wounded man regained consciousness and opened his eyes.After the operation the soldiers began to recover.
