Elder Anthony of Optina

Optina Elders #2

by Fr. Clement Sederholm

Elder Anthony, born Alexander Ivanovich Putilov in 1795, came from a pious family of the Yaroslav Province, raised in the fear of God. Of Alexander and his four brothers, three became righteous abbots of renowned monasteries. From early youth Alexander dedicated himself with great zeal to the labors of desert dwelling. The difficulties of the narrow and sorrowful path of the monastic life became joyful to Alexander through the rewards of spiritual consolations full of grace. To the 20-year-old Alexander, who had striven so long and so zealously toward monastic life, the short, dyed robe, covered with stains and patches, seemed, as he himself later expressed it, "more precious than royal purple." ELDER ANTHONY OF OPTINA, the prima vita of 1869, is compiled not only from the information of his own personal notes, journals, and letters, but also from memoirs of his spiritual children, particularly the disciple of St. Herman of Alaska--the saintly Sergius Yanovsky--who became a disciple of Elder Anthony after returning from America.

Genres: Biography

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Stephen Hayes]

My Lenten reading

[EC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most beautiful book on the life and teachings of a saintly Orthodox priest-monk named Elder Anthony. Optina Monastery has graced the earth with a plethora of Christian saints. This book is just great, as are all of the books in this series. Support the Saint Herman of Alaska Brotherhood!

[Lance Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book St. Anthony of Optina has some great info about the saint and also shares much wisdom as well in his many letters to people over the years.