www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Optina and Old Believers

What, if any, is the connection between the Optina Monastery and the Old Believers? Are they in communion?
Blessings! Silouan, monk

The Optina Elders were all of the Nikonian liturgical usage to my recollection. But certainly they drew from some of the riches of that older Slavonic spiritual tradition.

Dear Reverend Fathers!

Glory to Jesus Christ!

In actual fact, I came across a calendar that lists all Old Believer saints (although it is now a bit outdated with new glorifications and an Old Believer Church now wants to glorify Andrei Rubleev and his immediate monastic assistants as OR saints).

In it, there is mention of some Optina Fathers who followed the Old Rite - don't know anything about them. There are also about half a dozen Kyivan Caves Lavra Fathers listed as martyred Saints for the Old Ritual in the time of our Father among the Saints Avvakum, Hieromartyr and Confessor (I have an icon of him in my corner, hope that is all right with everyone . . .).

It is great to have as many Saints as possible in "our corner" after all!

Your servant,

Alex

One reason that I ask is because it seems as though the Old Believer Baptismal Cross is also listed in some catalogues as Optina Crosses. I thought that might not be a conincidence.
Silouan, sinner

Bless, Father Silouan!

Yes, the Optina Cross CAN be an Old Believer-style baptismal Cross owing to its style, the writing on the back etc.

The Old Believers represented the ancient Russian usages which persisted even in the Nikonian era unabated.

For example, everything about St Seraphim of Sarov could be said to have been "Old Believer" except for his three-finger Sign of the Cross AND his insistence on kneeling for long hours (Old Believers prefer not to kneel and do not encourage it).

St Seraphim had a large bronze "Old Believer style" Cross on his neck, a Lestovka and recited daily the 150 Hail-Mary Rule of the Theotokos as Old Believers always do!

Can you imagine? Some ill-advised people call that rule of 150 Hail Mary's a form of the "Rosary!"

How misguided can some people get?

Alex