The Akathist to the Optina Elders is a prayer that addresses the Optina Elders, who are revered for their spiritual achievements and philanthropy. Reading this akathist helps to pray for their intercession and receive spiritual guidance.
Troparion, Tone 6
Light-bearers of Orthodox faith, unshakeable pillars of monasticism, comforters of our land, venerable Elders of Optina, who have attained the love of Christ and have laid down your souls for the children, pray to the Lord, that He may establish your earthly homeland in Orthodoxy and righteousness, and save our souls.
Kondak, Tone 4
Truly wondrous is God in His saints, for He has revealed the Optina Desert as a garden of asceticism, where the God-inspired Fathers, who have understood the secrets of the human heart, have appeared as compassionate guardians of the people of God: for they have guided those burdened by sin onto the path of repentance, have enlightened those wavering in faith with the light of Christ’s teaching, and have instructed them in the wisdom of God, have shown compassion to the afflicted and the weak, and have granted healing to those in need. Now, abiding in the glory of God, they pray unceasingly for our souls.
Kondak 1
We offer thanks and praise to the Holy Trinity, to the assembly of the venerable Elders of Optina, to the good and wise guide, the chosen servant of the Holy Trinity. You, as an ornament of Christ’s Church, pray to the Lord on our behalf, that we may hymn you with love:
Rejoice, venerable Elders of Optina, guides of the faithful in the virtues of faith and righteousness.
Icos 1
Creator of angels, praise you, O Fathers and venerable Elders, for you have fulfilled the saying: “Angels are the light of monks, and the monastic life is the light of all men.” Truly, you have appeared as guardians of our land: as guides of the inns, leading all the faithful children of the Church to salvation, crying out:
Rejoice, O glorious assembly;
rejoice, O radiant splendor of divine grace.
Rejoice, O fruitful tree of old age;
rejoice, O spiritual unity in Christ.
Rejoice, O fullness, filled with the power of God;
rejoice, O victorious army, conquering demons.
Rejoice, O crown, fragrant with the Holy Spirit;
rejoice, O glory and praise of the Optina Desert.
Rejoice, O wondrous vineyard of Christ;
rejoice, O paradise of the mind, planted by God.
Rejoice, O choir of singers of the Holy Trinity;
rejoice, O constellation of the heavenly firmament.
Rejoice, venerable Elders of Optina, guides of the faithful in the virtues of faith and righteousness.
Condak 2
Beholding the transitory and fleeting nature of worldly concerns, you, venerable fathers, rejected all earthly cares and came to Optina Pustyn, where the ancient image of the common life was revealed to you: the unshakeable love for Christ and the fervent zeal of the first Christians, who were irreversibly drawn to the Lord by love, singing the angelic hymn:
Alleluia
Icos 2
Seeking the reason of salvation, you, glorious fathers, having rejected the fleeting wealth, glory, and earthly riches, chose the one thing necessary; through many labors, afflictions, and illnesses, you laid a good foundation for your ascetic endeavor. Therefore, having fulfilled Christ’s commandments and observed the counsel of the holy fathers, you were enriched with virtues. Hence, we cry out to you:
Radiate, you who have loved Christ’s humility;
Radiate, you who have acquired the gentleness of the spirit through patience.
Radiate, you who have followed God’s will;
Radiate, you who have severed your own will.
Radiate, you who have served God through prayer and fasting;
Radiate, you who have beheld the Lord with a pure heart.
Radiate, you who have mortified the passions of the flesh through self-control;
Radiate, you who have subdued your flesh to the Spirit.
Radiate, you who have chosen the path of mercy as a royal way;
Radiate, you who have attained the pinnacle of virtues through discernment.
Radiate, you who have shown a blameless life;
Radiate, you who have received the blessings of God.
Radiate, venerable Fathers of Optina, guides of the faith and piety!
Condak 3
My strength is made perfect in weakness, the Lord said. Therefore, you, venerable fathers, having borne the weight of sorrows and illnesses, have been enriched with the power of the Spirit: you have received the gift of discernment and have attained the wisdom of the elders, singing the hymn to the Giver of all things:
Alleluia
Icos 3
Having a wondrous plan for the salvation of humanity, the glorious God in the Trinity has caused the vine of eldership to grow abundantly in Egypt and has filled the land with it; its branch has reached the Optina wilderness in the latter days. This vine, having been cultivated by good vinegrowers and nourished by the waters of the Holy Mountain and the Fiva, has borne a rich fruit. Having understood this well, we call out to the Elders of Optina thus:
Radiate, O Moses, chosen dweller of the desert;
Radiate, founder of the Optina eldership.
Radiate, O Anthony, devout ascetic;
Radiate, instructor of humility and gentleness.
Radiate, O Father Leo, fiery zealot for God;
Radiate, nurturer of the Optina eldership.
Radiate, O one who has prepared to sacrifice your soul for the children;
Radiate, one who has been brought to the monastery by the providence of God.
Radiate, O Macarius, height of humility;
Radiate, depth of the wisdom of the elders.
Radiate, O Isaac, guardian of the vineyard of eldership;
Radiate, faithful fulfiller of the paternal covenants.
Radiate, venerable Fathers of Optina, guides of the faith and piety!
Condak 4
The turbulent sea, without a rudder, cannot traverse; yet the Israelites, guided by Moses, traversed it as if on dry land. This prototype of the spiritual life, the blessed fathers of Optina, like Moses, appeared as guides to many on the path of salvation, pointing to the one Way, Christ the Lord, Whom we eternally hymn:
Alleluia
Icos 4
He who listens to you, Lord, listens to Me, You said to Your disciple, sending him on a mission. And thus the foundation of the holy spiritual life was laid, that everyone may seek eternal life, asking his elder, that he may know good and be saved. Guided by this divine ordinance, you, blessed Lev and Macarius, established the spiritual life on the firm rock of humility, and we hymn the Optina Elders thus:
Radiant with love for one’s neighbors;
Radiant with the gift of spiritual guidance.
Radiant as faithful guides to God;
Radiant as enlighteners of many souls.
Radiant as teachers of Christ’s humility;
Radiant as those who strengthen us in righteousness.
Radiant as zealous advocates of monastic life;
Radiant as good teachers of obedience.
Radiant as guides on the path of repentance;
Radiant as those who elevate all to the love of God.
Radiant as doers of good works in the vineyard of Christ;
Radiant as those to whom the Kingdom of Heaven has been opened.
Radiant, blessed Optina Elders, guides of the faith and piety!
Condak 5
Blessed fathers Moses and Isaac, driven by zeal for the house of God, appeared as untiring builders of the monastery, placing the Cornerstone at the head of the corner. For this reason, you erected wondrously beautiful temples of God, where we now hymn:
Alleluia
Icos 5
Having been granted visions and contemplations of the divine mysteries, you appeared as zealous advocates of church order and diligent caretakers of the beauty of worship. Thus, we who are now delighted by the beauty of the Optina monastery and understand your diligent care for it, give thanks to you:
Radiant, Anthony, zealous builder of the hermitage;
Radiant, steward of the inheritance of the Forerunner of the Lord.
Radiant, Macarius, who enlightened many through your writings;
Radiant, who adorned the services of the Church.
Radiant, Ambrose, who prayed with divine zeal;
Radiant, who contemplated the glory of God in prayer.
Radiant, wise guide and teacher;
Radiant, creator and caretaker of the Shabrina monastery.
Radiant, Ilarion, who turned the erring to the mysteries of the Church;
Radiant, who drew them to the sacraments of the Church.
Radiant, Isaac, good ruler of the monastery;
Radiant, faithful guide of the monks.
Radiant, blessed Optina Elders, guides of the faith and piety!
Кондак 6
Prophets of Truth, the blessed Elders of Optina, have appeared, guiding all near and far, as a pillar and foundation of the Orthodox Church, wherein no one can attain salvation or eternal life outside of it. Thus, having been taught by you, we cry out joyfully to the Lord:
Alleluia
Икос 6
You have shone forth as a light of virtuous life and have clarified the true knowledge of God, revealing the explanation of the words of the holy Fathers to us, and leaving behind your own writings for these same purposes. Therefore, having multiplied the talents of the Lord Christ, you have been glorified by Him; we, however, strive to entreat you thus:
Radiate, defenders of the Law of God;
Radiate, guardians of true wisdom;
Radiate, those who provide the key of understanding;
Radiate, those who open the doors of truth;
Radiate, treasure of divine wisdom;
Radiate, fountain of divine words;
Radiate, shining light of the Gospel;
Radiate, keepers of the commandments of Christ;
Radiate, interpreters of the writings of the Fathers;
Radiate, sowers of piety;
Radiate, those who have increased the talent given to you;
Radiate, those who have entered into the joy of the Lord Christ;
Radiate, blessed Elders of Optina, guides of the mind and heart!
Кондак 7
Although you were a diligent servant of God, you appeared as a zealous guardian of His will, venerable Macarius, keeping the commandment of the Lord: if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. By the power of such humility, unclean spirits departed from those who were possessed. We, beholding this example of humility, praise God:
Alleluia
Икос 7
Seeing new elect of God, multitudes of people come to you, seeking counsel and blessing, comfort and healing. You, however, have appeared to all: guiding sinners onto the path of repentance, confirming the doubting, comforting the afflicted, and healing the weak. Therefore, you strengthen us, and we entreat you thus:
Radiate, Macarius, conqueror of the devil’s malice;
Radiate, one who has brought down pride by humility.
Radiate, Amvrosius, long-suffering in sickness;
Radiate, one who has dried the tears of the afflicted.
Radiate, Joseph, successor of the holy Amvrosius;
Radiate, teacher of monks, guiding them to virtue.
Radiate, beloved of the Heavenly Queen;
Radiate, one who has been raised from the bed of illness by Her.
Radiate, Varsonofius, one who has despised earthly glory;
Radiate, enrolled in the army of the Heavenly King.
Radiate, conqueror of invisible enemies;
Radiate, one who heals the soul with prophetic insight.
Radiate, blessed Elders of Optina, guides of the mind and heart!
Condak 8
Considering the needs of strangers and travelers, O holy Ambrose with your disciples, you chose a narrow path of service to the brethren. For this reason, you were granted the gift of spiritual discernment, bodily healing, insight into God’s judgments, and the healing of souls in distress. With these gifts, you have caught many souls like fish, and you have hymned the Holy Trinity with the following hymn:
Alleluia
Icos 8
Having loved God with all your heart, soul, and mind, you have not only provided comfort to those in need, but have also been useful to each one according to their needs, and have persevered in prayer throughout your life. You have been granted the gift of true piety, O venerable ones, through fasting, prayer, non-possessiveness, and purity, adorned with discernment and mercy. Hear our words:
Radiate, you who have always walked before the Lord;
Radiate, you who have risen from action to contemplation.
Radiate, you who have borne many labors;
Radiate, you who have fulfilled the law of Christ.
Radiate, you who have sought the good of your neighbor;
Radiate, you who have covered the infirmities of others with love.
Radiate, you who have cast down the strength of the enemy;
Radiate, you who have crushed the snares of the demons.
Radiate, you who have saved the people of God;
Radiate, you who have driven away the thoughts of the mind.
Radiate, you who have cleansed the conscience from sins;
Radiate, you who have alleviated the sorrow of the heart.
Radiate, O venerable Fathers of Optina, guides of the faith and piety!
Condak 9
All tongues, all ages, and all estates praise you, O venerable assembly of Elders: for you have zealously preserved the flock of Christ and have received imperishable crowns of glory from the Chief Shepherd. Therefore, you teach us to obey the elders and pastors, that, having acquired humility, we may obtain the gift of prayer from God:
Alleluia
Icos 9
We have proclaimed your divine love for humanity: for you have contended to the point of blood and have laid down your souls for the children. You have not abandoned your service. We, having seen the resurrection of the Optina monastery through your intercession, rejoice and hope to obtain the renewal of our souls’ temples. With reverence, we say to you:
Radiate, Nectarius, blessed guide;
Radiate, you who have foreseen the future.
Radiate, Isaac, glorious venerable martyr;
Radiate, you who have been a steadfast warrior.
Radiate, Anatolius, nourisher of the people of God;
Radiate, you who have been a stronghold in times of temptation.
Radiate, you who have received afflictions for the faith;
Radiate, you who have surrendered your spirit to God in the world.
Radiate, Nikon, comforter of monks;
Radiate, you who have been a sufferer for the confession.
Radiate, you who have endured many sorrows;
Radiate, you who have established the wavering in the Orthodox faith.
Radiate, O venerable Fathers of Optina, guides of the faith and piety!
Condak 10
Having become worthy disciples of the Savior of Peace, blessed ones, you have lived a life of piety in Christ, and have traversed the path of this difficult and sorrowful life, providing us with an example of how to petition the Lord of Strength in times of tribulation.
Alleluia
Icos 10
You are the bulwark of the Orthodox Church, an unshakeable shield of holy monasticism, having received all the armor of God and being clothed in the breastplate of righteousness, you teach us to be steadfast in faith, to be the shield of salvation, and to wield the two-edged sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We, your humble disciples, commemorate you as our guides and intercessors, and we pray fervently that the Lord may grant us to emulate your faith and to cry out:
Radiant with the wisdom of God, you have taught us;
Radiant with waters of life, you have nourished us.
Radiant, you have been a stronghold for monks;
Radiant, you have been a help to the sacred monks.
Radiant, you have been a dwelling place, unseen but present;
Radiant, you have not abandoned your children.
Radiant, you have been a refuge in times of sorrow;
Radiant, you have been vigilant guardians.
Radiant, you have been overshadowed by the All-Pure Theotokos;
Radiant, you have been chosen vessels of the Holy Spirit.
Radiant, you have been heirs of the Kingdom of Christ;
Radiant, you have been sons of God, by the grace of the Heavenly Father.
Radiant, venerable Fathers of Optina, guides of our faith and piety!
Condak 11
Having been granted the privilege of offering our heartfelt hymns to you, venerable Fathers, before your holy relics, we are at a loss to know how to worthily praise the one who has glorified you, our wondrous God in His saints.
Alleluia
Icos 11
You have shone forth as radiant beams of the Sun of Truth, pillars of piety, reaching for the heavens, and truly, you have appeared to us, venerable Fathers! Now, in the heavenly dwellings, you rejoice at the Throne of the Holy Trinity, but you do not leave us, unworthy ones, behind, for you have revealed to us the precious gift of your holy relics, to which we come, crying out:
Radiant, Moses and Anthony, stronghold of asceticism;
Radiant, Father Leo, firm root of asceticism.
Radiant, Macarius, image of humility;
Radiant, Isaac, steward of the Lord Christ.
Radiant, Ilarion, healer of soul and body;
Radiant, Anatoly, illuminator of prayers.
Radiant, Ambrose, fragrant flower of asceticism;
Radiant, Joseph, good root of a good branch.
Radiant, Varsonofy, good commander of Christ;
Radiant, Anatoly, comforter of the sorrowful.
Radiant, Nektarius, seer and warm intercessor;
Radiant, Isaac and Nikon, glorious martyrs and confessors.
Radiant, venerable Fathers of Optina, guides of our faith and piety!
Kontakion 12
Having received the grace of God, O Venerable Elders, you traversed the course of life in spiritual struggle and virtue, not abiding in this earthly city, but seeking the one to come, which you have attained—that beautiful Heavenly Jerusalem, where, with the hosts of angels, you sing to God in unspeakable light:
Alleluia
Ikos 12
Singing and celebrating your universalal memory, O glorious fathers, we venerate your labors and hardships, your sorrows and illnesses, persecutions and sufferings: for you did not only strengthen the flock of Christ’s sheep but were also confessors of His divine faith. Therefore, having made yourselves partakers of the evangelical Beatitudes, hear these tons sung unto you:
Rejoice, ye poor in spirit;
rejoice, comforted for much weeping.
Rejoice, ye heirs of the meek earth;
rejoice, having found the righteousness of Christ.
Rejoice, having obtained mercy;
rejoice, ye seeing God with a pure heart.
Rejoice, having acquired a peaceful spirit;
rejoice, having saved many souls through them.
Rejoice, having endured persecution for the sake of God;
rejoice, having ascended into the Heavenly Kingdom.
Rejoice, being persecuted by the unbelievers on earth;
rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven.
Rejoice, O Venerable Elders of Optina, God-wise teachers of faith and piety!
Kontakion 13
O great servants of God, O Venerable Elders of Optina! Mercifully receive from us this praise offered to you now with love, and through your warm intercession unto the Lord, obtain for us firmness in faith, repentance, and following the will of God, so that, being delivered from eternal torment, we together with you sing to God:
Alleluia
(The Kontakion 13 is read three times, then Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1 are read)
Ikos 1
The Creator of Angels has glorified you, O fathers and Venerable Elders, so that what was spoken might come to in you: angels are the light to monks, and monastic life is the light to all mankind. Truly indeed, you appeared as guardian angels of our land: teachers in-monastics, guides to salvation for all faithful children of the Church, crying out:
Rejoice, God-glorified assembly;
rejoice, God-radiant splendor of grace.
Rejoice, fruitful tree of eldership;
rejoice, spiritual unity in Christ.
Rejoice, O host, filled with the power of God;
rejoice, O army conquering demons.
Rejoice, O crown, fragrant with the Holy Spirit;
rejoice, glory and praise of the Optina Desert.
Rejoice, wondrous vineyard of Christ;
rejoice, a paradise planted in the mind planted by God.
Rejoice, O procession-of-standing of the singers of the Holy Trinity;
rejoice, O constellation of the firmament of the heavens.
Rejoice, O Venerable Elders of Optina, God-wise teachers of faith and piety
Canon 1
We offer thanksgiving and praise to the Holy Trinity, to the venerable assembly of the Optina Elders, to their revered guide and wise instructor. You, as ornaments of Christ’s Church, pray to the Lord on our behalf, that we may hymn you with love:
Rejoice, venerable Optina Elders, guides of the faith and piety.
Prayer
O, our venerable and God-bearing fathers, the Optina Elders, wise teachers of the faith and piety, pillars and beacons of light to all seekers of salvation and eternal life: Leo, Macarius, Moses, Anthony, Ilarion, Ambrose, Isaac, Anatolius, Joseph, Varsonofius, Anatolius, Nectarius, Nikon the Confessor, and the venerable martyr Isaac, we, unworthy ones, beseech you to intercede for us always, that Christ our God may preserve His Holy Church, our country, the Optina Monastery, and every city and land where His Divine Name is glorified and righteously confessed.
Pray for us, O venerable Optina Elders, that we may behold our transgressions and bring before the Lord our many tears of repentance, that He may cleanse many of our sins and grant us peaceful and profitable times for salvation, that the turmoil of this world may be subdued beneath the strong hand of God, and that we may attain the spirit of peace, gentleness, brotherly love, and compassion for the afflicted.
O, venerable ones, pray also to the All-Pure, the Queen of Heaven, the Mother of God, that she may open the doors of her Son’s mercy and grant us a good answer at the Dread Judgment, deliver us from eternal torments, and, with you, grant us to glorify and hymn the most precious and glorious Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.