Archimandrite Ippolites (Halin) /04/18/1928–12/12/2002

Archimandrite Ippolites (Halin) /04/18/1928–12/12/2002
The elder fell asleep in the Lord on December 17, 2002. "When the abbot was buried, a rainbow appeared", they say in the monastery. On the 9th day after his death, the wooden cross on the grave began to drop myrrh. It was so much that it dropped on the ground, making paths in the avalanches.

“Myrrh flowed profusely from the cross onto the ground, forming puddles. The myrrh appeared prominently before our eyes. You slide it with your palm into the glass and it comes out again. And it was the size of a poppy seed." There were many witnesses to this. Later the cross was replaced with bronze.

And this photo was taken in 2019. Every year, pilgrims from different regions of the country and abroad come to Rila Monastery. This time they witnessed a miracle.

As they said in the monastery, the cross on the grave began to flow myrrh around three o'clock in the morning. The transparent drops attracted the attention of women who came here to pray.

In the afternoon during the funeral procession, drops of oily liquid appeared again. There were so much that they rolled over the photograph of Elder Hippolytus that was placed on the tombstone. Believers began to collect myrrh, apply it to their faces, to icons...

Father in 1957 entered the Glinsk hermitage as a novice, and then moved to the Pskov-Pechersk monastery. In 1959 he received the blessing to be tonsured with the name Hippolytos.

Seven years later, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexios I, he was sent to perform obedience on Mount Athos in Greece at the Russian Monastery of Saint Panteleimon.

He lived there for 18 years and returned to Russia an old man, that is, a man who had acquired humility and purity of heart. The priests said: "If there were a hundred monks in Russia like Father Hippolytus, Russia with its roots would have ascended to heaven a long time ago."

Elder Cyril Pavlov

A monk, without wasting an hour, is constantly working to save his soul, cutting off his will to obedience. But the spiritual fruit is not immediately easy and simple. Many were interested in learning how Fr. Cyril came to such an inexhaustible, uniform and gracious spiritual tradition. Where does the inexhaustible power of spiritual reasoning come from? He was asked: "Father, how did you come to have holy grace?"

He, after thinking and looking at the icons over his big old glasses, answered:
"The Holy Gospel taught me everything. Now people read a lot of books, but the most important thing is to read the Holy Gospel. Through this reading, faith and goodwill will be strengthened, mind and heart will be enlightened."

Elder Cyril Pavlov

Elder Schema-Igumen Savva Ostapenko

Is it possible to be deprived of such a graceful union with Christ, especially in our difficult times? We will receive communion for the forgiveness of sins and receive eternal joy, and most importantly, to obtain the Lord, to live with Him, to love Him more than anything else in the world, and to serve Him so that we may always be together in Christ! "He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood abides in me, and I am in him" (John 6:56) - says the Lord Himself, calling us to unite with Him.

And after Holy Communion, we must rest the Lord in our hearts, not grieve Him with new sins. After death we will suffer greatly if we do not maintain the grace of the Holy Spirit. And if it happens that day that you sin or be upset, or condemn someone, then we will try to clean this stain on the soul again with repentance! This day is best spent in silence and prayer or in reading the Holy Scriptures and the teachings of the holy fathers, because the soul at this time is very receptive to goodness and the wonderful words of the Gospel will sink into the depths of the heart. - Elder Schema-Igumen Savva Ostapenko of Pskov Pechersky Monastery

Archimandrite John (Krestiankin)

For us monks it should be like this: life is Christ, and death is gain. Whether I live or die, it is always the Lord's. That's what matters to us.

Archimandrite John (Krestiankin)

Archimandrite John (Krestiankin)

Every woman on earth brings myrrh to life - she brings peace to the world, her family, her home, gives birth to children, is a support to her husband. - Archimandrite John (Krestiankin)

St. Lawrence of Chernigov

Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ

I often asked Starets what to do, that my father had not received Holy Communion for a long time. And then one day my father gets up in the morning and says:
“I have to receive communion. Someone prayed for me " and told his dream: "As if I was lying in a grave and there was earth on me. A priest came and began to dig and said, "Get up, Ivan." I got up and walked.
I meet people I know on the street and they say, "Oh, oh, Ivan, you were dead for twenty years and you lay in the grave and you got up."
And I think, how dead I was and I seem to be alive. Then I woke up, I started to remember how many years I had not communed and it turned out to be twenty years."
On Sunday he asked for forgiveness, he communed and died the same year.

St. Lawrence of Chernigov

Schema-Archimandrite Lawrence, in the world Luke Evseevich Proskura, was born in 1868 in the region of Chernigov. He reposed on the Feast of Theophany, 1950, and after his death his relics were found to be incorrupt. The Russian Orthodox Church canonized him as a saint in 1993 (commemorated on December 29/January 11 and January 6/19). Besides the gift of healing, St. Lawrence was known for his gift of prophecy, especially concerning events surrounding the end of the world and the coming of Antichrist. His words have striking significance for us today.

During the celebration of Theophany in Petersburg in 1909 Bishop Cyril revealed himself as an outstanding fighter for church truth and tradition.

"During the celebration of Theophany in Petersburg in 1909 Bishop Cyril revealed himself as an outstanding fighter for church truth and tradition. Under the influence of worldly “scientific” elements it was officially decreed that all water which was to be blessed for the feast in the Petersburg diocese must be boiled beforehand, and thus the great Agiasma had to be performed over steaming pots. One outspoken church organ of the time noted that: “More faith was shown in the firewood necessary to boil the water and kill the germs, than in God. Fortunately, however, not everyone stepped away from the anchor of our salvation, and in the same Petersburg the Lord preserved for his chosen ones a single bishop who did not agree to yield his faith for the sake of peace with the enemies of Christ’s Church. If these notes ever see the light of print, let them preserve the name of this loyal servant of God and archpastor, for the strengthening of faith and piety in my overburdened brethren. Cyril of Gdov is the name of this bishop. May his name be blessed from generation to generation.” Defying the warnings of the police, Bishop Cyril blessed the water of the Neva River at the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra right through a hole in the ice. The local police, however, took measures to ensure that no one was allowed to take water from the “Jordan”."

Optina Elders on Pilgrimages

 

The elders severely reprimanded those who had the opportunity to visit the holy places, but were dissuaded by petty and disrespectful circumstances. Thus, the Monk Anthony wrote:

“Nothing stops others from the love of God and from visiting holy places: neither sorrow, nor illness, nor sadness, nor sighing; but you, my beloved, are hindered from fulfilling your promise by vanity of vanities and the most petty and disrespectful domestic circumstances.

And I most regret that you did not bother to worship the Mother of God, in whose region you are staying, for a whole year. Therefore, I advise you from the bottom of my heart to fulfill this duty urgently before the upcoming fast, regardless of the cold, bad weather,  domestic obstacles. "

The Monk Ambrose emphasized the importance of pilgrimage trips and warned that if we do not receive spiritual benefit from the pilgrimage, then we must reproach ourselves:

“Do not refuse a pilgrimage trip to Kiev right away if someone proposes it. It is better to think first, then speak, especially when it comes to the worship of the holy relics of God's saints. If, being in these places, we do not receive spiritual benefits, then the fault is from us, and therefore we must reproach ourselves, and not blame the place or something else. "

However, it happens that it is impossible to make a pilgrimage trip due to circumstances beyond the control of the person. Such elders consoled. The Monk Makarii, concerning the lack of an opportunity to visit the Optina Hermitage, wrote the following:

“I hear about your grief that you do not have the freedom to visit our monastery. We must accept this with obedience to the will of God. For there is nothing unpleasant for us, except His will, and this is a test for you in patience and strengthening your good intention.  If it is true, the more obstacles there will be, the more it will multiply."

Archimandrite Seraphim (Rosenburg)

 

“ A lost day - in which you did not mourn for your sins ” - Archimandrite Seraphim (Rosenberg; 1909–1994, the elder of the Pskov-Pechersk monastery)

Great Russian Elder of the 20th century Hieroschemonk Aristoles (1846-1918)

The elder of God, Hieroschemamonk Aristocles, was from Mount Athos. After living many years there, he was sent to Moscow to the conventual house of St. Panteleimon's Monastery, in Lubianka on Nicholsky Street. He always served at the Chapel of St. Panteleimon, where, through his prayers, wondrous miracles of healing were accomplished, especially for those who had the misfortune to be [demon] possessed. He also had the gift of insight.

Elder Aristocles especially loved the Mother of God and, no matter what he began to say, he always reduced his speech to Her. He had such an unusual, such tender and reverent love for the Mother of God that he could not speak about Her without special joy. And when he received the people, and in confession, he did not take his eyes off the face of the Mother of God, who was in front of him, as if asking Her about something.

"No need to weary oneself in order to weaken for spiritual activity, it is necessary that everything be proportionate.
And you need to get up at 3 o’clock or at half past three."

And ceaselessly call the Virgin - whether you go to work or whatever you do, say: “I put all my hope in Thee, Mother of God, keep me under Thy shelter.” Or like this: “Virgin Mary, do not despise me, requiring Your help and Your intercession " Or else, as you know how, just call Her. "

The elder forbade to work on holidays, saying: “Take the celebratory work and throw it in the stove. There will be no dispute to those who work on the holiday. ”

“Father,” someone once said, “they gave me a job, bless me to do it well.”
“Ah, child, my beloved,” he replied, “to spit on your work.” All this is temporary, you should strive for the Lord!"

Elder Aristocles did not like when spiritual children complained to him about something bad in their life, or were dissatisfied with something.
“It is necessary,” he said, “to thank God for all things! ” We are not worthy to receive what the Lord sends to us."

Father Aristocles of Moscow said that great tribulations, famines, and diseases await us, asking us not to lose faith and try to love each other.

Hierodeacon Paisiy (Novozhenov)

When I go and knock on a wooden beater, calling for service, I see a few dozen wonderful sparrows sitting on the electric wires, they are not afraid of my knocking, watching with curiosity and chirping. When I look at them, I think of the monks as the wires of a power plant that carry spiritual energy into cities. The wires are simple in appearance and small birds can sit on them safely, but at the same time the power that passes through them, then spreads to the bridges, lights the streets, lights up thousands of apartments. I knock on my beater, I keep silent and think: how to connect the bridges between God and the hundreds of our compatriots who do not know Jesus Christ.

Hierodeacon Paisiy (Novozhenov) from the Holy Assumption Monastery in the city of Staritsa near Tver 

Saint Nektarios of the last starets of Optina (1853-1928)

Many, knowing his prophetic gift, asked: "What awaits us?"

"Great social catastrophes await humanity," he replied. "Our current sufferings are like insect bites, compared to the sufferings of the last years. Many feel it instinctively, like ants in bad weather.

But faithful Christians may not be afraid for God's grace always protects them. In the end it will happen to the faithful which was done with the apostles before the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Every believer, wherever he is, will be transported in a cloud into the ark of the Church. Only those who are inside will be saved.

 Our age is similar to Noah's. For six centuries the Lord warned of a flood, but they did not believe him and did not regret it. they did not listen to him.

 Even the workers he hired to build the ark didn't believe it, so they only got their paycheck, but they weren't saved, and they got lost in the flood. That time is a harbinger of our own. The ark is the Church. Only those inside will be saved.

Nektaria Konchevich once asked him about the fate of the world which Starets Nektarios talked a lot about it. Finally, he smiled meaningfully and said the following words:

Why are you addressing my weak-mindedness my little one (he always underestimated himself

saying he is of limited mental capacity). He said: "Ask the monks of Optina. They will tell you everything you need to know about this topic."

When I visited them and asked them, they replied: "There are people who are constantly dealing with the outcome and are constantly looking for signes of the  end the world. But they do not care about their souls; they are only interested in impressing others, in transmitting news that will make sense. But it is not beneficial for man to know the time of the Second Coming. Hurry up and pray, said our Savior. This means that we do not need to guess, since everything will be revealed to the faithful when the time comes; but to hurry and be spiritually alert, that is, to always be ready."

Saint Nektarios of the last starets of Optina (1853-1928)

When you sing the Psalter, sins fly like leaves from the soul. - Elder Nikolay Guryanov

Achimandrite Pavel (Gruzdev)

Work: mow grass, take care of potatoes, go look for mushrooms, pick raspberries, plant beets and cabbage. Remember: you can’t easily take a fish out of the pond.

Do you understand?

Archimandrite Pavel (Gruzdev)

Archimandrite John Krestiankin

Sometimes God's help does not come immediately. The Savior hesitates. This is the ultimate test of faith. - Archimandrite John (Krestiankin)

Hegumen Nikon Vorobyov

The commandment is given: if we cannot always rejoice, then at least not be discouraged, and most importantly, we must thank for everything. - Hegumen Nikon Vorobyov

Hegumen Nikon (Vorobyev)

All kinds of asceticism should lead a person to a deep humility. If it does not lead, then the path he has chosen is incorrect. - Hegumen Nikon (Vorobyev)

Prayer for the dead...

Prayer for the dead is a help they cannot even ask for.

If the doors of eternity were open to us, in which the souls of departing ones were found, we would have a moving picture of the silent request of our brothers who ask for our prayers for them - millions of souls crying for help!
The fate of the deceased is similar to the situation of a person swimming in a very dangerous place. And our prayers are the anchor or rope we give our neighbor at the time of danger.

And how pleasant it is for the man who prayed for the neighbor, at that time, when we meet all there, and we will see them face to face and hear the thanks that helped them! And on the contrary, what a bitter condemnation it will be for those who did not help their brothers who did not pray in this dangerous time.

Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov

Elder Sebastian of Optina

If he doesn't love me, then I won't love him, is a demonic word. Let him not love you and conquer his hatred with love. True love and fear of God conquer the passion of hatred. - Elder Sebastian of Optina (1884-1966)

St. Amphilochius of Pochaev

May 12 is the day of glorification in saints of the Monk Amphilochius of Pochaev the Wonderworker and our contemporary. Thousands of pilgrims gather every year for this holiday in the Holy Assumption Pochaev Lavra. Also on January 1, on the day of the ascetic’s repose, and on the Assumption of the Mother of God - the patronal festival of the monastery.

There is a lot of popular love, hope and faith in veneration of the Elder, Schema-Igumen Amphilochius, who was only glorified 14 years ago as a saint. It is amazing how in such a short period of time the rebellious, holy fool and persecuted father Joseph (that was the name of the reverend before the adoption of the great schema) became a beloved saint in Ukraine and abroad.

During his lifetime, Elder Amphilochius was given a special grace of perspicacity, the gift of prayer healing and the release of the possessed. Miracles through the prayers of the saint continue to this day, stories about them are becoming increasingly famous. And the weak and the afflicted, and the unfortunate, go to the Monk Amphilochius — they come for help and support, for strengthening in faith and the strength to bear their cross. The happy ones also go to the reverend old man - with gratitude and joy, and to express their love for this holy ascetic.

From the life of the Monk Amphilochius of Pochaev (1894-1971)

A man comes up asking:
" Father Joseph, cure me!"
"Do you pray?"
" I do!"
“How do you pray?”
The man said something and threw a hand on his chest.
“Do you really pray like that ? Give me your hand! Fold your right hand like this: three fingers together, and these two fold and cross yourself."
"Touching your forehead say “In the Name of the Father”, heart and chest - “and the Son”, now on the right shoulder, the Guardian Angel is sitting on it, and you have a devil on the left!"
As soon as he touched his left shoulder with his own hand, he was thrown on the floor! And they hear a roar: "Joseph, what have you done! I lived in him for forty years, I was fine, but you persecute me! .. "

( Joseph - the name of the Monk in monasticism; Amphilochius - in the Great Schema)