St. Ambrose of Optina + Commemorated on October 10 and June 27 (Finding of Relics)
Our venerable father Ambrose of Optina (Aleksandr Mikhaylovich Grenkov - October 23, 1891) was a starets and a celibate schema priest, canonized in 1988 by the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. His feast day is celebrated on October 10, and the finding of his relics is commemorated on June 27.
Aleksandr was born in the family of sexton Mikhail Fyodorovich Grenkov and Marfa Nikolayevna Grenkova. At the age of 12 Aleksandr entered the Tambov clerical school and later the Tambov theological seminary. Then he became a teacher in the Lipetsk clerical school and in 1839 entered the Vvedensk Monastery of the Optina Monastery in Kaluga guberniya. A few years later, he was ordained a hierodeacon, taking the name Ambrose in honor of Saint Ambrose of Milan. Two years later Ambrose became a celibate monk. When Fr. Macarius died in September of 1860, Ambrose became a superior of the monastery.
Ambrose died in the Shamordinskaya cloister and was buried in the Optina desert. His relics were placed in the Vvedensk Monastery.
Troparion — Tone 5
We come to you, as to a fountain of healing, O Father Ambrose. For you guide us truly on the path of salvation, protecting us from troubles and misfortunes by your prayers, and comforting us in our physical and spiritual sorrows; above all, you taught with humility, patience, and love. As our fervent intercessor, entreat Christ the Lover of mankind that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Fulfilling the precepts of the Shepherd of shepherds, you inherited the grace of Eldership, having compassion for all who come to you with faith; therefore we your children cry out to you with love: “Holy Father Ambrose, / entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.”
Quotes
"One should live unhypocritically and behave exemplarily, then our cause will be right, otherwise bad."
"Live and do not grieve, condemn no one and bother no one, and best regards to all."
