Elder Ambrose of OptinaElder Ambrose (1812 1891) is considered the pinnacle of Eldership in Optina. He embodied the virtues of all the elders in the highest degree divine humility, purity of mind and heart, overflowing love, and total self sacrifice for the salvation of his fellow man. Because he had attained the depths of humility, the Lord blessed him with spiritual gifts by which to heal suffering souls. He read human hearts, was granted to know the past, present and

We imitate ‘as much as possible’ the sufferings

And when he was finally diagnosed with leprosy

The Feasts of the Lord is an Introduction to the Twelve Feasts and Orthodox Christology

he had profound experiences of grace

pastor of St

• Full Orthodox Psalter divided into the 20 Kathismata for daily reading

a friendly and informative dog

a young lady had a sudden glimpse of the immortality of her soul

although I have visited many monasteries and churches

The Sweetness of Grace: Stories of Christian Trial and Victory (Released March 2017)

which were sung in church during the Lenten journey to Pascha

Akathist Hymn to the Holy New-hieromartyr Maximus Sandovich