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Venerable Leonid of Optina: The Elder Who Transformed a Monastery · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Sunday, october eleventh, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember venerable Leonid of Optina, a monk whose spiritual wisdom and guidance changed the life of Optina Monastery and many others.
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  SPEAKER_00: Leo Nagolkin was born in seventeen sixty eight in Karachev, in the Orlov province.
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  SPEAKER_00: As a young man, he worked for a merchant, traveling often.
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  SPEAKER_00: These experiences helped him later when people from many backgrounds came to him for advice.
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  SPEAKER_00: He first entered Optina Monastery in 1797 but stayed only two years.
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  SPEAKER_00: Then he went to White Bluff Monastery where he was tonsured a monk in eighteen oh one and given the name Leonid.
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  SPEAKER_00: That same year he was ordained a deacon and then a priest.
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  SPEAKER_00: Father Leonid quickly gained respect for his dedication and obedience.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1804, after five years at White Bluff, he became the igumen or head of the monastery.
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  SPEAKER_00: Before taking this role, he spent time with Schemamonk Theodore, a disciple of Saint Pasius Velichkovsky.
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  SPEAKER_00: Under Father Theodore's guidance, Father Leonid learned much about spiritual struggles and receiving the Holy Spirit's grace.
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  SPEAKER_00: Father Theodore moved to White Bluff in 1805 and their close conversations helped Father Leonid grow spiritually.
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  SPEAKER_00: Later in 1808, Father Leonid resigned as Igumen to live in solitude with Father Theodore and Father Cleopus.
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  SPEAKER_00: Their reputation for holiness spread and many visitors came seeking their advice.
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  SPEAKER_00: To avoid distractions, they moved to more remote places, eventually settling at the Saint Alexander of Sphere Monastery.
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  SPEAKER_00: In 1820, Tsar Alexander I visited to meet these elders.
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  SPEAKER_00: They answered briefly and humbly, not wanting to appear talkative.
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  SPEAKER_00: When the Tsar asked for a blessing, Father Theodore said he was not an ordained monk, and the Tsar respectfully left.
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  SPEAKER_00: After Father Theodore's repose in 1822, Father Leonid moved to live with disciples in a more secluded place.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was invited to several monasteries but chose to return to Optina in 1829 with six disciples.
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  SPEAKER_00: At Optina, Father Leonid introduced eldership, a spiritual guidance tradition passed down from the deserts of Egypt and Palestine, through Mount Athos, and into Russia.
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  SPEAKER_00: This was a new chapter for Optina where nothing important happened without his blessing.
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  SPEAKER_00: Each evening monks came to him to confess their sins and seek advice.
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  SPEAKER_00: He comforted them, helped with their struggles, and guided their spiritual growth.
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  SPEAKER_00: His wisdom attracted many visitors from cities and villages, rich and poor alike.
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  SPEAKER_00: He helped heal spiritual and sometimes physical ailments using oil from the lamp before the Vladimir icon of the mother of God in his cell.
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  SPEAKER_00: Father Macarius, one of his disciples, joined him at Optina in 1834.
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  SPEAKER_00: Father Leonid and Father Macarius worked closely, showing humility and mutual respect.
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  SPEAKER_00: Despite his influence, Father Leonid faced persecution between 1835 and 1836.
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  SPEAKER_00: Some monks and others misunderstood eldership and complained to the bishop.
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  SPEAKER_00: At one point, he was ordered to leave his cell and not receive visitors.
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  SPEAKER_00: However, Metropolitan Philaret of Kiev, who knew Father Leonid, supported him.
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  SPEAKER_00: This helped improve his standing at Optina.
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  SPEAKER_00: Later, Father Leonid's spiritual children at the Belev Convent faced false accusations, leading to the temporary expulsion of some nuns.
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  SPEAKER_00: Metropolitan Philoretti intervened and the nuns were restored shortly before Father Leonid's death.
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  SPEAKER_00: In September 1841, Father Leonid became ill.
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  SPEAKER_00: He refused medicine and prepared for death with prayer and holy communion.
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  SPEAKER_00: On October 11th, after a peaceful and joyful final hour, he surrendered his soul to God.
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  SPEAKER_00: His body remained incorrupt for three days, and many came to pay respects.
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  SPEAKER_00: He was buried near the main church at Optina.
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  SPEAKER_00: Bishop Nicholas of Kaluga later expressed regret for doubting Father Leonid and hoped his life story would be shared.
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  SPEAKER_00: The relics of Father Leonid and other Optina elders were uncovered in 1998 and are now venerated.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Optina elders were glorified for universal veneration in 2000.
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  SPEAKER_00: Venerable Leonid's life reminds us of the power of spiritual guidance, humility and patience in the face of trials.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, grant us the humility and patience of Saint Leonid.
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  SPEAKER_00: Help us to seek and accept wise guidance in our spiritual journey.
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  SPEAKER_00: May his prayers strengthen us in our struggles.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, grant us the humility and patience of Saint Leonid.
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  SPEAKER_00: Help us to seek and accept wise guidance in our spiritual journey.
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  SPEAKER_00: May his prayers strengthen us in our struggles.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.