Elder Ambrose of Optina Devotional Items seen in His redemption of

seen in His redemption of the human race

Larger text is in Black with the many inaudible prayers in smaller Red type

Ποτέ δεν μου συνέβη να πω σε κάποιον να πάη να εξομολογηθή

Over the centuries Orthodox Christians have utilized the time of Great Lent to contemplate the salvific Passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—the voluntary sufferings which He undertook out of love for mankind

In the darkness of systematic degradation of body and soul

Elder Ambrose of Optina Devotional Items seen in His redemption ofElder Ambrose (18121891) 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 thesalvation of his fellow man. So great were his gifts that hundreds of people flocked daily to his humble cabin at Optina, including the writers Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and Leontiev. Elder Ambrose (1812 1891) is considered