Lev of Optina
Leonid of Optina (Russian Лев Оптинский; * 1768 in Karachev in the government of Orel, Russian Empire, .. † 11 Oktoberjul / October 23 1841greg in Optina monastery in the province of Kaluga ), real name Lev Danilovich Nagolkin, was a monk and pastor. He is revered in the Russian Orthodox Church as a saint and one of the Elders. Even in the Protestant Church in Germany, he is considered memorable witness to the faith.
- 2.1 mourning
- 2.2 Literary Reception
- 2.3 Protestant commemoration
- 2.4 Orthodox Canonization
Life
All dates in this chapter are based on the then customary in Russia Julian calendar.
Youth
1784 Lew Nagolkin merchant's assistant. In this profession, he traveled through Russia. So he learned to deal with different people.
Search for solitude
In 1797 he made his entry into the monastic colony Optina in Kaluga. Even in life seemed to him to be restless. So he went in 1799 to the hermitage to the white cliff near Oryol, which was led by Abbot Vasily Kishkin. This was previously a monk on Mount Athos. Here Nagolkin learned obedience, patience, and various retreats. In 1801 he received the tonsure of Kishkin and was under the religious name of Leonid monk. On 22 December 1801, he was ordained deacon and priest on 24 December. Through his duty Leonid became a model for his brothers. Thus his superiors were aware of him. For some time Leonid stayed in Cholnsk monastery. There he met Theodore, a student of Païssi Velichkovsky ( 1722-1794 ). The about ten years older than Theodore was also from Karachev. From him Leonid learned a lot about spiritual struggle and how the grace of the Holy Spirit be to gain from an Orthodox perspective. Leonid was unusually fast very prominent. He was elected in 1804 by Bishop Dorotheus of Orlov and Swensk abbot of the hermitage; he left Theodore reluctant.
1805 Theodore went but also in the hermitage. The conversations with him brought Leonid even more progress in his spiritual life. Theodore, who longed for solitude, received permission to set up about a mile away with his disciple Cleopas his cell. 1808 Leonid put the office of the abbot down again and joined Theodore and Cleopas on to be able to devote more time to prayer and any kind of abstinence can. He received the rank of a schema - monk and the name Lev (often translated as Leo ). The fame of the three brothers cared for many visitors and distractions from the spiritual struggle. Thus Theodore in 1809 moved back to New Seekloster, then Metropolitan Ambrose of St. Petersburg sent him to the hermitage on the Palei Island. 1812 Theodore then moved into the secluded monastery of Valaam Allerheiligeneinsiedelei in Lake Ladoga, where he met again with Leonid and Cleopas.
Cleopas died 1816. Leonid and Theodore moved to the monastery of St. Alexander of Svir. Tsar Alexander I. in 1820, the monastery to meet the famous monks. They answered his questions as short as possible in order not to appear talkative. When he asked for her blessing, replied Theodore, that he was not ordained monk. The Tsar bowed and left. Leonid followed constantly the path of Starzentums. This meant that he always gave more of penance and asceticism and solitude sought with God. This and the death of Theodore on April 7, 1822, the Friday after Easter, and awoke in him the desire to leave the monastery and a lonelier place to look. Archbishop Ambrose Podobedew of Kazan was ready for it to include it in his diocese; Furthermore, he was invited to the Orlov diocese to live there in the Ploschanski hermitage; also he was the monk Moses and the Bishop Philaret of Kaluga offered to return to the Optina Monastery.
Encounter with Makari, as Elder Leonid
But until 1828, it was Leonid allowed to leave his monastery. So he came with his disciples into said first hermitage, where he met the monk Makari Ivanov. This was also the student of a starets, who was himself a disciple of Païssi Velichkovsky. After the death of this elder to Makari felt orphaned and prayed to God for an experienced spiritual guide. As Leonid arrived, Makari looked at his prayers than answered. Leonid now lived completely secluded and undisturbed deep in the forest. He was now a great elder. This title, which means " venerable old man ," was used for people who for years were in complete awareness of God in complete solitude and constantly prayed the Jesus prayer. Abstinence should lead to the simplest possible thinking and spiritual maturity to advise others and lead them to God can. These people were met with particular respect, without this would have involved a special office.
The frequent change of location Leonids in this phase of life are not due to a volatile nature Leonids, but due to the circumstances. The Starzentum had fallen in monastic life in the 18th and 19th century in Russia forgotten and was considered an innovation, which led to misunderstanding, slander, envy and outright persecution. This should be shown particularly in Leonids last years.
Elder in Optina
In April 1829 Leonid finally followed the invitation to Optina, where he now returned with six students. They received hermitages, Leonid near the apiary, his students at other locations. Leonids arrival ushered in a new chapter in the history Optinas because he until he moved in 1834 also with Makari, the still exchanged letters stood with him in a hermitage of the monastery, introduced the Starzentum in Optina. This meant that no decision has been made without his knowledge and his blessing. Every night the monks visited him to discuss their spiritual needs and to confess their sins in thought, word and deed. He offered them consolation in their troubles, advice in their spiritual struggle and help to solve their problems. Many people from all walks of life, from both urban and a rural environment, sought Leonids advice, he became famous far beyond Optina addition. He could help them in their spiritual challenges due to the experiences of his thirty years of asceticism. Sometimes he is said to have healed their physical infirmities by anointed them with oil from the lamp which always burned in his cell before the Vladimir Icon of Mary.
He also made other students, so as he had been trained by Theodore and this in turn by Païssi Velichkovsky. The guide as a student by an elder was in Orthodoxy as a safe and reliable way to salvation. The origin of this tradition was in Egypt and Palestine and arrived on Mount Athos finally to Russia. The Starzentum became widely known by Leonid.
Makari supported Leonid in his correspondence and the spiritual care of the monks and the visitors Leonids. Leonid stuck to the wisdom of John Climacus that a teacher could expect no reward if he did not correct his students that he unjust situation would be if he did not use the opportunity to lead a student on his way a little further and that it would also lead in the most diligent and most patient kickback when they received no rebuke from her teachers. These views were also reflected in his dealings with Makari.
Such a situation has been handed down, was asked in the Makari by the abbot Moses to sponsor some novices when taking pictures. Makari summarized the request as a command, bowed and went to Leonid, who was surrounded by many people seeking advice, to tell him why Moses had summoned him. Leonid looked at him seriously and asked, " What have you done Did you agreed to " Makari replied: "I have almost agreed, or rather. I have not dared to contradict " Leonid replied: " This is typical of your pride. " and reprimanded him in a loud voice, as if he were very angry. Makari bowed long time and asked for forgiveness. The audience watched in astonishment the action. After Leonid had finished speaking, Makari said: " Forgive me father Will you give me your blessing to reject it. ? " Leonid replied: "How can you refuse it you can not refuse it, the thing is settled? ".
On the other hand, showed up in many situations Leonids affection and respect Makari, as he showed him a lot of confidence and made him his assistant and staff. Leonid led the Starzentum into two other monasteries of the Kaluga diocese.
Leadership of nuns
In addition, he also led some nuns from other dioceses. In the convents in Belew, Sevsk Borisov and some of his students were on their spiritual journey more advanced than others. These were for battlements Star the other sisters, partly during and partly by Leonids lifetime.
Complaints about Leonid
In the years 1835 and 1836 complained some people, including monks, who did not agree with the concept of Starzentums because they saw it in ignorance of its long tradition as an innovation with the bishop about Leonid. The complaints were not very successful. So visited Bishop Gabriel of Kaluga Optina and Abbot showed Moses ' policy set against cheap. He pointed the malcontents deal before all the brothers and told them to do better. Dissatisfaction with some monks remained, this was related to the large number of visitors, which, as they thought that the rest of the monastery disturbed, as they wrote in a report to the Bishop. Nicholas, the new bishop of Kaluga, the complaints initially ignored. Then he received an anonymous false accusation against Moses and Leonid. So ordered the bishop, for unknown reasons, Leonid may leave his cell near the apiary and move into the monastery. He also forbade Leonid to receive laity, neither female nor male. Since there is no cell in the monastery was available, Leonid moved instead into a hermit. 1836 Leonid got the formal arrangement to move to the monastery. Abbot Moses and Anthony, the head of the hermitage, had no choice. They knew that Leonid was innocent but had to obey the bishop.
Replacement by Makari and end of life
Also in 1836 took over the task of the Father Makari of the monastery. He had already been occupied for over seven years in the convent in Sevsk this office. He submitted himself to continue in all things voluntarily Leonid, the Makari, however, because now regarded more as a friend and as a student employee.
1837 visited Metropolitan Filaret of Kiev I. Amfiteatrow ( term 1837-1858 ), accompanied by Bishop Nicholas of Kaluga Optina. The Metropolitan Leonid knew from his time in the monastery to the white cliff and showed his respect for Leonid and Abbot Moses. The opponents of the two were dismayed. Even Nicholas then began the complaints attach less weight, and Leonids position was strengthened.
In his last years, still came to a further examination on Leonid. He was involved in 1841 in disputes among some nuns in the Exaltation of the Cross Convent in Belew, who were among his pupils. The satisfaction of abbess Epaphrodite with the progress Anthias mother, who had become under Leonid's guide to Starzin, and some close to her nuns in the passing of their own will, cleaning their thoughts and the struggle of their desires excited the envy of some nurses. One of them complained to their spiritual father, and spread rumors about Anthia and her companions. The father was taken previously against Anthia and her spiritual guidance by Leonid. He also began to spread accusations and slanders against Leonid, as he rejected the Starzentum. Bishop Damascene of Tula heard of the rumor that the priests have uncovered a new heresy in the convent of Belew, and invited him and Anthia prior to interview them. He believed the priest, and decided to act. So it was in February 1841 on the orders of the bishop to the exclusion of Starzin and another sister from the convent for alleged dissident opinions. Leonid was thus branded a troublemaker and rebel against all authority, which he endured with patience. Once again, he was ordered to leave his cell at the apiary and move to a cell that should be as far away from the gates of the monastery. The reception of the laity was forbidden him again.
In September 1841, Leonid's health deteriorated; he was sick for five weeks. He declined, however, to be examined by a doctor or take medication. On September 15, he received the anointing of the sick and prepared for his death before. He said goodbye to his brothers, and blessed them. He also gave each of them a memento, such as an icon or a book. On September 28, he received Communion (a total of twelve times in the last two weeks of his life ) and then took no food and only a little of water. He asked that the liturgy should be read for the departure of the soul for him. The brothers responded worried Leonid said, however, that they would have to read and reread this liturgy well. In fact, it has been read until his death eight times for him.
The written intervention Metropolitan Filaret to the Bishop for Leonid led on October 4, 1841 for the resumption of the excluded sisters; the bishop came to believe the priest had acted in blind zeal.
As of October 6, Leonid was bedridden and asked his brothers to pray shortening its suffering. On the morning of October 11, 1841 he received the last time the Communion and was visited by Basil Bragusin, who was known as so-called fool in Christ in the region. Bragusin is said to have predicted the death of the elder and had traveled a distance of 180 km in order to say goodbye to him. At 10 clock in the morning Leonid began several times, followed by the words "Glory to God " to cross himself. Then he was silent for a long time. Then he said to the bystanders, "Now the grace of God will be with me. " After about an hour he should have had a very cheerful in spite of his pain, probably due to the expectations he set in eternity. In the evening he took leave of those present and blessed them still. Up to a student they left the room. Leonid eventually died by 19 clock 30
Afterlife
Mourning
Leonid was laid out for three days in the church. It is said that his body had spread after this time still no smell, his body was warm and his hands shall have it feel soft. The church was filled from morning until late at night with people who wanted to say goodbye to him.
On October 13, his funeral was held in the presence of all local monks and deacons under Moses line. He was buried near the main church on Muttergottestor, opposite the chapel of St. Nicholas.
In 1843 attended Bishop Nicholas of Kaluga Optina and celebrated a memorial service at the grave Leonids. He said the abbot and the brethren, that he regretted that he had the Elder in his lifetime underappreciated and even believed some unfounded rumors about him, which prompted him to meet with Leonid suspicion and mistrust. He admitted that he had been in error, as if he had believed what certain people had told him, and expressed his hope that the biography of the elder will once published.
Literary reception
Kliment Zedergolm wrote a hagiography about Leonid of Optina.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky 's The Brothers Karamazov mentioned in a starets Zosima. Chapter 5 of the first book leans heavily on the representation of the Starzentums this hagiography on.
Lutheran commemoration
A first unofficial day of remembrance for Leonid of Optina on 24 October was by Jörg Erb for his book The cloud of witnesses (Kassel 1951/1963, Vol 4, Calendar on page 508-520 ) introduced. The Evangelical Church in Germany took over in 1969, this Memorial Day in the then introduced Evangelical calendar name, since this Protestant Memorial has an official character.
Orthodox canonization
The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad has Leonid together with some other Elders of Optina, namely Makari, Hilarion Ponomarev (1805-1873), Amwrosi Grenkow (1812-1891), Anatoly Serzalow (1824-1894), Warsonofi Plichankow (1845-1913) and Anatoly Potapov (1855-1922), canonized in 1990. The local veneration by the Patriarchate of Moscow on 13 Junijul. / June 26 1996greg. allowed. The collection of relics began on 24 Junijul. / July 7 1998greg. and was completed the following day. As this day coincides with the St. John's, the anniversary of the elevation of the relics of Patriarch Alexius II of Moscow on June 27 in the Julian calendar was fixed (currently July 10 in the Gregorian calendar). The relics of the canonized Elders now rest in the new church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. The universal veneration was approved by the Moscow Patriarchate on 7 August 2000. Leonid carries a saint the title of a venerable father.
Leonids Orthodox feast day is October 11 in the Julian calendar and October 24 in the modern Orthodox calendar, which is currently with the Gregorian calendar runs parallel with respect to the dates.
Attributes
Leonid is depicted on icons in the clothes of a priest monk, sometimes with a scroll or a book in his hand.