Such as Optina Pustyn played a huge role in the spiritual formation of our Motherland. Among them, Ambrose of Optina, a simple monk who never had high church ranks, received special veneration. His entire earthly life was devoted to serving God and people. Having a brilliant education, great humility and the gift of insight, he was famous for his simplicity and was the Divine Light for his many students.
Prayer to Ambrose of Optina grants pilgrims healing in illnesses, help in everyday needs, consolation in sorrows, invisible assistance in the Christian upbringing of children, and strengthening in the Orthodox faith.
Venerable Ambrose of Optina
People turn to the saint in various life situations; you can pray to him:
Reverend Ambrose
More about miracles in Orthodoxy:
Prayer is very important for an Orthodox Christian. You can offer prayer requests and gratitude both in the Temple of God and at home, in front of the icon of your favorite saint.
In the church, parishioners pray collectively, they participate in the Sacraments - they confess sins and receive Communion - the Blood and Flesh of Christ. Private (home) prayer should be performed in front of the icon of the Savior, the Mother of God and the beloved saint. Their Faces indicate the invisible presence of Heavenly Helpers.
It is necessary to light a candle or lamp, sign the Sign of the Cross and tune in to a prayerful conversation. When the need for prayer is felt, but it is very difficult to do so, this is a sign of the authenticity of the effectiveness of the prayer being offered.
Ambrose Optinsky
During prayer, you should not list and talk about each of your problems: the Lord and His Holy Saints know about everything. The Heavenly Father Himself knows about the needs of the one praying and if it is His Will, He will give what is asked. Ask for forgiveness of sins and the gift of strength to fight them.
Look at Faces with your eyes, this will help you concentrate your attention on prayer.
Video about the prayer rule of St. Ambrose of Optina.
Reverend Ambrose and the elders of Optina, pray to God for us.
"Father Ambrose has returned"
Ekaterina, Moscow
Father Ambrose helped me this summer, but out of stupidity and pride, I did not accept this help (I didn’t understand what it was from him, I didn’t expect it to happen right away, and I have no brains, I must admit) and I still repent of it.
At that time, I had just lost my job, and they fired me in a very ugly and dishonest manner, after I had already completed my probationary period and literally the day before there was talk of increasing my salary. Fortunately, I had the blessing of my confessor to go to a certain place and get a job there, but I kept putting it off - I considered myself “intellectually unprepared.”
And then the July church holidays began one after another, incl. and the day of remembrance of Elder Ambrose of Optina. I was at a service and asked him to help me with my work, given that I had a blessing that I was not ready to fulfill.
And suddenly in the evening I saw a letter from my supervisor in my e-mail, then missed calls from him on the phone, he was completely off his feet - he was looking for me. Although he usually doesn’t call or write to me - it’s me who turns to him. It turned out that the company where his friend worked urgently needed a journalist-editor for the website. I skeptically studied the vacancy - it seemed to me that they offered very little money, but they demanded so much. Moreover, the probationary period is two months, despite the variety of tasks and requirements that the potential employee faced. Besides, there were some things I didn't know.
I wrinkled my nose and said that this was some kind of “scam”. Although later I realized: I had to grab this job so that I could get through at least two probationary months, no matter how they ended. The scientific supervisor laughed: “Well, as you know. The only question, apparently, is that you are afraid that you won’t be able to cope.” And I was really afraid that I would be kicked out of work again after the probationary period. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to withstand another similar bullying.
And just as I refused (and it was already late), I suddenly remembered that in the morning I was at the service and prayed in front of the icon of Father Ambrose, kissed the reliquary and asked for it during the service, and talked about my problems. And what? The next day, the icon of Father Ambrose disappeared somewhere from our church! Perhaps it was taken away for restoration or, perhaps, temporarily transported to another temple...
All these months (and after that I couldn’t find a job for a very long time - four whole months, and I also missed the blessing by holding out), no matter how much I asked, prayed, visited monasteries, no matter how many holiday services I defended - nothing worked out ! And all these months I understood that that job, if I had not given up on it, could have kept me afloat for a couple of months, and I would not have lost so much money and would not have gotten into debt and other difficult circumstances.
All these months, when I came to our church, I always venerated the reliquary with a piece of the relics of Father Ambrose (we have a large reliquary with many small relics of various saints, including the Optina elders), asked him for forgiveness and looked with longing at the corner where his icon used to be. Of course, a few months ago I knew what would happen to me in the near future and how I would behave. He helped me, and I had to accept that test lesson if it turned out to be one!
As a result, I only recently found a job. Or rather, the Lord sent it to me completely unexpectedly. Moreover, it so happened that I agreed on the job with the employer on Friday, and the next Sunday, as usual, I came to Sunday service and suddenly, towards the end of the service, I saw: the altar boy was carrying an icon of St. Ambrose and placing it on a wooden stand that had been empty all this time -stand (I don’t know what it’s called correctly).
I see: Father Ambrose has returned! I rushed to him as fast as I could to ask for forgiveness. I must say that during these months that his icon was missing, I somehow became especially close to the priest through my feelings of guilt and experiences... He became a saint very close to me, and this icon, which I had been waiting for so long, became very dear to me . And I have no doubt about his ambulance-ambulance-ambulance! Father Ambrose, pray to God for us!
“I found a path in life and a spouse - a true friend”
Alexey Grishkin
With the prayerful help of Father Ambrose and everyone, I found my path in life and my husband, a faithful friend.
It would seem, what's wrong with that? It’s just that that period in life cannot be called anything other than “emptiness.” As in the old song: “And loneliness is more valuable than emptiness, when you live and think about death”... at a relatively young age. All peers lived a cheerful life, met, parted, drank, walked “without bothering.”
I don’t know what started my churching; it’s hard to remember now. And, as in a war, all the power of the underworld takes up arms against a weak person who has begun to save himself, using all the means tested by military experience and improved since the first fall of the forefathers.
At some point in my life, the conviction began to arise in me to choose the monastic path for salvation. After spending a couple of months in one monastery, I realized that there I would die even faster. It’s just that the state of modern monasticism, with few exceptions, is known to everyone. I had to return to the world. But it turned out that it was a dead end.
By chance (was it?), having opened a book with a life, I came across the words spoken to him by the Troyekurovsky recluse Hilarion: “Go to Optina, you are needed there.” It suddenly became clear to me where I needed to go in order to understand how to live. In Optina, I saw that very exception, that very small flock that is going towards salvation and inflames others to go.
At first I was inflamed, but monasticism is not for everyone. Again doubts. Father Eli allowed them, blessing them to live in the monastery for a year. Just live without thinking about anything for one year. Just that... It was the hardest year of my life. When you are left alone with yourself, it is scary. You don't know who will win. Every day I went to the shrine of St. Ambrose and other elders and asked, begged, and cried. In fact, it's hard.
The Lord, through the prayers of the elders, taught me which path to choose: a girl came to Optina, whom I now call my wife and the mother of my two beautiful daughters.
In conclusion, I would like to say that the Lord is closer than we think, and always through people and circumstances leads us through life with the prayers of our reverend and God-bearing father Ambrose, the Elder of Optina, and all the saints. Naturally, for those who follow Christ.
“Deliverance came in three days”
Valentina K., Serov
Desperate to get rid of the man who had tormented me for three years, I was able to do this only after I read the prayer of St. Ambrose of Optina, which I once found in his correspondence with his spiritual children. Deliverance came three days later. We walked all these days in circles and never even collided. Only the prayer of the great elder saved me from death.
Through his prayers, three years later I stood with tears of gratitude at the holy relics. And now, going up to the choir, I ask for his blessing. I think it was not without the help of the monk that I was honored to work in the prosphora and refectory for several years.
Through the prayers of Saint Ambrose of Optina, may the Lord save us all!
“A friend’s stove was completely torn apart”
Natalya V.
I learned about this little miracle a couple of hours ago. I don’t know if Father Ambrose was the only one who helped - rather, help came from everyone.
The day before yesterday I visited a friend who is planning to move into a house where the stove was completely destroyed. A friend of mine is having a very hard time financially. We posted notices everywhere asking for help, without really hoping for it. Leaving her, I went into a church in those parts and saw there a small icon with pieces of the relics of the Optina elders. I haven’t read which ones exactly. I asked the elders to help her.
Now I call and find out that the very next day - that is, yesterday - a woman called her and offered help. She said: “Measure the stove - I’ll buy you everything you need for it.” The poor thing still cannot believe in such happiness.
God grant that everything works out for the poor woman. Pray to the Lord for us, and all the elders of Optina!
"I smoked a lot"
Ekaterina N.
At the beginning of my churching, I found myself in Optina. Before coming to the monastery, I had a strong nicotine addiction.
I received communion at the monastery and did not smoke all day - a very long time for me at that time. I prayed to St. Ambrose to help me quit smoking. After a couple of weeks I quit completely. I haven't smoked for 2 years now. I believe that the saint’s prayers helped.
“My husband smoked for many years”
Elena S.
I have this story. My husband smoked for many years. This, unfortunately, is his family's tradition. I wasn’t going to quit because I thought I couldn’t. When I tried to talk to him about this topic, he became irritated. Then I asked our teenage son to pray to St. Ambrose for his father for deliverance from his destructive passion.
After some time, my husband fell ill with skin cancer, and after the operation he decided to quit smoking. He got rid of the passion for smoking only through the prayers of the saint. Thank God for everything!
The God-wise mentor, consoler and man of prayer, the Monk Ambrose truly became the crown and adornment of the Optina eldership. Many people flocked to the door of his wretched cell for advice and consolation. Elder Ambrose became famous for his insight, the gift of healing bodily ailments and healing spiritual wounds. They pray to him for help in various everyday needs, for healing in illnesses, for the firm standing of the Russian people in the paternal faith, for good morals and the Christian upbringing of children.
Like a healing source, we flow to you, Ambrose, our father, for you faithfully instruct us on the path of salvation, protect us with prayers from troubles and misfortunes, comfort us in bodily and mental sorrows, and, moreover, teach us humility, patience and love; pray to Christ, the lover of mankind and zealous Intercessor, for our souls to be saved.
Having fulfilled the covenant of the Chief Shepherd, you inherited the grace of eldership, your heart aching for all who flow to you with faith. Likewise, we, your children, cry out to you with love: Holy Father Ambrose, pray to Christ God to save our souls.
O great elder and servant of God, reverend our father Ambrose, praise to the Optina and all Rus' teacher of piety! We glorify your humble life in Christ, by which God has exalted your name while you were still on earth, especially crowning you with heavenly honor upon your departure to the chamber of eternal glory. Accept now the prayer of us, your unworthy children, who honor you and call on your holy name, deliver us through your intercession before the Throne of God from all sorrowful circumstances, mental and physical ailments, evil misfortunes, corrupting and evil temptations, send peace to our Fatherland from the great-gifted God, peace and prosperity, be the immutable patron of this holy monastery, in which you yourself labored in prosperity and you have pleased our glorified God with all in the Trinity, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and ever forever and ever. Amen.
O venerable and God-bearing Father Ambrose! You, desiring to work for the Lord, settled here and labored untiringly in labor, vigils, prayers and fasting, and you were a mentor to monastics, and a zealous teacher to all people. Now, after your departure from the earthly, standing before the Heavenly King, pray to His goodness to show mercy to the place of your settlement, this holy monastery, where you continually abide in the spirit of your love, and to all your people, who with faith fall to the race of your relics, for the good petition fulfill them. Ask our merciful Lord to grant us an abundance of earthly blessings, even more so for the benefit of our souls, and may we be worthy to end this temporary life in repentance, and on the day of judgment may we be worthy of standing and enjoying His Kingdom forever and ever. . Amen.
O all-honorable elder of the glorious and wondrous Optina Hermitage, venerable and God-bearing Father Ambrose! Our Church is a good adornment and a gracious lamp, illuminating everyone with heavenly light, the red and spiritual fruit of Russia and all the sunflowers, abundantly delighting and cheering the souls of the faithful! Now, with faith and trembling, we fall before the celibate reliquary of your holy relics, which you have mercifully granted for comfort and help to the suffering, we humbly pray to you with our hearts and lips, holy father, as an all-Russian mentor and teacher of piety, a shepherd and a doctor of our mental and physical ailments: look for your children, who greatly sin in words and deeds, and visit us with your much and holy love, with which you gloriously succeeded even in the days of earth, especially after your righteous death, instructing the saints and God-enlightened fathers in the rules, admonishing us in the commandments of Christ, in You were jealous of their goodness until the last hour of your difficult monastic life; ask us, weak in soul and in distress in sorrow, a favorable and saving time for repentance, true correction and renewal of our life, in which we, sinners, have become vain in mind and heart, having given ourselves over to indecent and cruel passion, vice and lawlessness, of which there is no number; accept therefore, protect and cover us with the shelter of your many mercies, send us a blessing from the Lord, so that we may bear the good yoke of Christ in long-suffering until the end of our days, looking forward to the future life and the Kingdom, where there is no sorrow or sighing, but life and endless joy, abundantly flowing from the One, All-Holy and Blessed Source of immortality in the Trinity of the worshiped God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Even during his lifetime, the Monk Ambrose was revered as an elder; people came to him for advice; the power of his faith amazed everyone who knew him. Having suffered from physical ailments all his life, he was incredibly strong in spirit. Prayer to St. Ambrose of Optina worked miracles. He could heal not only physical, but also mental ailments, comforting and helping those who came to him.
They pray to St. Ambrose:
During his life, he found a kind and wise word for everyone who turned to him. Famous quotes from St. Ambrose of Optina:
O great elder and servant of God, Reverend Our Father Ambrose, praise from Optina and all Rus' to the teacher of piety! We glorify your humble life in Christ, by which God exalted your name while you were still on earth, especially crowning you with heavenly honor upon your departure to the chamber of eternal glory. Accept now the prayer of us unworthy of your children (names), who honor you and call on your holy name, deliver us through your intercession before the throne of God from all sorrowful circumstances, mental and physical ailments, evil misfortunes, pernicious and evil temptations, sent down to our Fatherland from the great-gifted God peace, silence and prosperity, be the immutable patron of this holy monastery, in which you yourself labored and have pleased our glorified God with all in the Trinity, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and ever forever and ever. Amen.
Kontakion 1
Chosen servant of God and miracle worker, the great Elder Ambrose, praise of Optina and all Rus', wondrous mentor, glorifying your fair life in asceticism, we offer much praise, but you, as if you have boldness towards the Lord, pray for all of us, your children, with tenderness calling:
Ikos 1
Imitating the angelic life, you rejected all the red and fleeting things of this corruptible world and directed your feet to the spiritual teacher and seer Elder Hilarion, may he guide you on the path of true life and bless you for the exploits of salvation. He, having foreseen your future godly life, sent you to the monastery of Optina, and there you found a good refuge for yourself. We, seeing such God’s will for you, say:
Rejoice, chosen by God for the branch of piety of parents; Rejoice, having loved the Lord from your youth.
Rejoice, you who have had zeal for book wisdom from your youth; Rejoice, having learned the spirit-bearing teaching of the holy fathers.
Rejoice, rejection of the soon-to-be-perishing blessings of this world; Rejoice, unflagging desire for imperishable treasures.
Rejoice, thou who sought God's will for the salvation of thy soul; Rejoice, you have received a blessing on your monastic path.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 2
Seeing the good intention of your heart, Christ delineated the narrow and thorny path of your salvation, and when you were suddenly on your deathbed with illness, you gave the Lord a promise: if He heals you, you will betray everything to yourself through the feat of monasticism. Having risen by the grace of God from the bed of illness, you glorified the all-merciful God, the Physician of souls and bodies, calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Having acquired the mind of the Divine Scriptures, in the passion of God you thought about how the Lord would arrange the future path of your salvation and how to enter the path of the arduous and sorrowful monastic life. We, marveling at your good intentions, sing to you:
Rejoice, having placed all your hope in God the Provider; Rejoice, since you have only sought His favor.
Rejoice, ready to endure every trial for the salvation of the soul; Rejoice, you who followed the command of your conscience.
Rejoice, you who hate worldly amusements; Rejoice, lover of earthly riches.
Rejoice, having made everything possible for yourself to work for the One God; Rejoice, He who desires to please.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 3
By the power of love, confirmed in faith, you were jealous of acquiring the Gospel life in the image of the venerable fathers of the ancient Church. When the Lord gave you the understanding of this good pleasure, you sang with tenderness: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having strong faith in the good providence of God for the salvation of man, you flocked to the honest image of the Most Holy Theotokos of Tambov, so that you would receive a parental blessing, and you humbly prayed to the Lady to direct your path. We, seeing your persistent hope in the mercy of the Queen of Heaven, sing to you:
Rejoice, faithful and beloved child of the Mother of God; Rejoice, Her sacred veil of power is secretly comprehended.
Rejoice, blessings of the parent through Her, a kindly guardian image; Rejoice, zealous Intercessor and reverent admirer.
Rejoice, you who tearfully offered prayers to Her often at night; Rejoice, you who have shamelessly received heavenly help from Her.
Rejoice, having found such sweet consolation in your heart; Rejoice, for you have received kindly tenderness.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 4
Driven by a storm of thoughts, you came to the monastery of St. Sergius of Radonezh, so that the wonderworker and teacher of monastic work, who overflows from the shrine of his venerable relics currents of grace-filled help, will strengthen your heart for the exploits of the upcoming monastic field of all Russia. Having touched your heart there, you cried out with joy: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the great life and piety of the godly fathers and elders of Optina Pustyn, you secretly left the world and everything in it, and you came, without hesitation, to this monastery in humility of soul, in order to be saved and to please God. We, seeing the great zeal of your soul, bring you a song of praise:
Rejoice, perishable, imputing the good of this world for nothing; Rejoice, thou who has known the sweetness of the Church.
Rejoice, you who have entered into the holy monastery; Rejoice, having given yourself everything to God.
Rejoice, having fulfilled the commandments of God without laziness; Rejoice, you who taste the fruits of Christ’s teaching are sweet.
Rejoice, zealot of the exploits of the holy fathers; Rejoice, vigilant guardian of spiritual purity.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 5
The God-created desert welcomed you, as if into the arms of the Father, you meekly settled in the wilderness and there you first bore the labors of obedience in the cell of the great elder, the divinely enlightened Leo, by whom you were instructed in spiritual work. Having seen the sweetness of the renunciation of your will, you cried out: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Seeing your monastic success, the Fathers of the Desert clothed you in the vestments of the Great Schema, and the Leader of the Ascetic Christ granted you the grace of the angelic rank, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice, loving God with all your heart; Rejoice, having served Him with all your soul.
Rejoice, having firmly established the faith through many labors; Rejoice, having armed yourself with the hope of help from above.
Rejoice, treasure of the love of the Gospel; Rejoice, receptacle of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, valiant hero of monastic exploits; Rejoice, wonderful imitator of the life of the angels.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 6
You appeared as a preacher of the Orthodox faith and true life in Christ Jesus, denying teachings contrary to the Gospel and the Church, and you turned many from the path of error to Christ the Giver of Life, singing with gratitude: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You have shone forth, like a much-bright light, into the lands of Russia, enlightening every person who comes to you with the light of truth, but people, burdened with many sins and sorrows, have found in you a godly mentor of piety and a good father to all the weak, suffering and humiliated, chanting like this:
Rejoice, lamp of the Orthodox country of Russia; Rejoice, mirror of Divine love.
Rejoice, pillar of the apostolic faith; Rejoice, stone of hope of eternal life.
Rejoice, God-inspired teacher in all circumstances; Rejoice, zealous preacher of repentance.
Rejoice, physician of bodily ailments; Rejoice, healer of mental illnesses.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 7
Although you followed Christ Himself, you imitated Him with all diligence, you took His yoke upon yourself and, having learned from Him meekness and humility, you found peace in your soul, always calling: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
A new and wondrous star of holiness appeared in the church sky, when you ascended the spiritual ladder to angelic perfection, you spread the rays of your love across the face of the entire Russian land and you attracted to yourself the noble and honorable, the wise of this age and the unwise, crying out to you in the face:
Rejoice, city, stand at the top of the mountain; Rejoice, shining light, driving away the darkness of ignorance.
Rejoice, healer of all who are weak; Rejoice, deliver us from the troubles and temptations of the enemy.
Rejoice, comforter of the sad; Rejoice, you who thirst for spiritual drink.
Rejoice, accuser of the cunning wisdom of this age; Rejoice, corrector of many who have gone astray to the path of truth.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 8
You appeared as a wanderer and stranger in the earthly world, seeking the city of heaven, and you bore the burdens and infirmities of your neighbor seeking your help, and thus you fulfilled the law of Christ, singing with thanksgiving: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Filled with the fire of Divine love, you carried the difficult cross of bodily illnesses through your entire monastic life, gaining your soul with patience, according to the word of the Gospel of Christ, and you taught us all to bear the cross without a murmur, calling to you:
Rejoice, leader of those seeking salvation; Rejoice, image of true obedience.
Rejoice, you yourself who endured grave illnesses to the end; Rejoice, teaching patience to those who come to you in sickness and sorrow.
Rejoice, you have been a great caretaker of your flock; Rejoice, nourisher of those who hunger for eternal life.
Rejoice, patron of the offended; Rejoice, those who are disobedient to the will of God have taught them.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 9
You experienced all human nature in illness and bodily infirmities, crucifying the flesh with passions and lusts, and with tireless prayer you drove away the misfortunes and temptations of evil spirits, and thereby taught you to resist the wiles of the devil, crying out with faith: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
You swept away the rhetoric of the superstitious, who did not know the power of the Orthodox faith, with the word of God and your pure life, and you truly shone forth as a luminous pillar of piety and the keeper of the patristic tradition, diligently translating the ancient writings of the fathers into intelligible writing. We, marveling at your labor, sing to the sitsa:
Rejoice, right adamante of faith; Rejoice, living a strong life according to faith.
Rejoice, propagator of the spirit of piety; Rejoice, sower of Christian virtues.
Rejoice, success in the exploits of old age; Rejoice, spiritual enlightenment of many monks.
Rejoice, having led those to salvation; Rejoice, thou who has converted many sinners to repentance.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 10
Helping those who seek the Kingdom of Heaven to be saved, you have appeared as a faithful guide, governing both worldly and spiritual things; At the end of your years, you put in a lot of work, establishing the Shamordino monastery for the poor, so that those sisters would find peace of mind and salvation, singing a song of praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
You were your child’s wall and refuge, protecting you from demonic obsessions with incessant prayers; You inspired them to wage invisible warfare against the spirits of evil, abolishing pride and love of glory through humility. We also joyfully call you:
Rejoice, quenching the arrows of the enemy; Rejoice, conqueror of the demonic regiments.
Rejoice, freeing those captives from the spirits of evil; Rejoice, you who have brought many souls out of the prison of passions.
Rejoice, you who have turned lost to God through love and prayers; Rejoice, kind guardian of orphans and widows.
Rejoice, God-bearing creator of monks and nuns; Rejoice, good preacher of humility and meekness.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 11
We offer tender singing to you, a quick helper in the needs and sorrows of all who flow to you with faith and love, until the end of your days you were a loving father of the suffering and burdened, looking for consolation of the soul. In the same way, you unfailingly glorify God, wondrous in His saints, who constantly call: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Having seen in you all the ends of the lamp of virtues, our Father Ambrose, for in patience and humility you ended your earthly journey and fulfilled all that Christ commanded us in the holy teaching, and you moved from earth to heaven, entering into the joy of your Lord, as a faithful one servant of Christ. Let us also joyfully sing thee:
Rejoice, zealous servant, who did the will of his Master; Rejoice, warrior of Christ, having left the vanity of life.
Rejoice, thou who servest the One God; Rejoice, having fulfilled all the commandments of God.
Rejoice, thou art worthy of the heavenly mansions; Rejoice, you who have partaken of the heights of glory.
Rejoice, heir of eternal life; Rejoice, most praiseworthy servant of God.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 12
By the grace of God, you have inherited an inestimable treasure and you have found a quiet, serene refuge in heaven. By the action of God's providence, during the days of the triumphant millennium of the Baptism of Rus', you were glorified and canonized. Now, to bless your holy memory, we all sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your all-Russian glorification, we lift up to you, like the fragrance of incense, our humble prayers: do not forget your children who honor your holy name and cry out to you in thanksgiving:
Rejoice, Ambrose, namesake of Divine immortality; Rejoice, honest praise to the Orthodox Church.
Rejoice, partaker of the faces of the holy saints; Rejoice, host of venerable fathers of the Mysteries.
Rejoice, our steadfast representative before the Throne of the Most High God; Rejoice, our warm intercessor before the court of God.
Rejoice, guide to us who wander in the pitiful vale; Rejoice, vigilant prayer book for the whole Russian land.
Rejoice, Venerable Ambrose, God-wise teacher of faith and piety.
Kontakion 13
Oh, wondrous servant of Christ and miracle worker, our reverend elder Ambrose, now accept the small prayer of your unworthy children, do not leave us in sorrows and illnesses, come and extend a helping hand, guide us on the path of repentance and salvation, in order to be freed from eternal torment, yes With you we glorify God forever, crying out: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos “To the Life of the Angels...” and the 1st kontakion “The Chosen Servant...”.
First prayer
Oh, great elder and servant of God, reverend our father Ambrose, praise to the Optina and all Rus' teacher of piety! We glorify your humble life in Christ, by which God has exalted your name while you were still on earth, especially crowning you with heavenly honor upon your departure to the chamber of eternal glory. Accept now the prayer of us, your unworthy children, who honor you and call on your holy name, deliver us through your intercession before the Throne of God from all sorrowful circumstances, mental and physical ailments, evil misfortunes, corrupting and evil temptations, send peace to our Fatherland from the great-gifted God, peace and prosperity, be the immutable patron of this holy monastery, in which you yourself labored in prosperity and you have pleased our glorified God with all in the Trinity, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and ever forever and ever. Amen.
Second prayer
Oh, reverend and God-bearing Father Ambrose! You, desiring to work for the Lord, settled here and labored untiringly in labor, vigils, prayers and fasting, and you were a mentor to monastics, and a zealous teacher to all people. Now, after your departure from the earthly, standing before the Heavenly King, pray to His goodness to show mercy to the place of your settlement, this holy monastery, where you continually abide in the spirit of your love, and to all your people, who with faith fall to the race of your relics, for the good petition fulfill them. Ask our merciful Lord to grant us an abundance of earthly blessings, even more so for the benefit of our souls, and may we be worthy to end this temporary life in repentance, and on the day of judgment may we be worthy of standing and enjoying His Kingdom forever and ever. . Amen.
Prayer three
Oh, all-honorable elder of the glorious and wondrous Optina Hermitage, venerable and God-bearing Father Ambrose! Our Church is a good adornment and a gracious lamp, illuminating everyone with heavenly light, the red and spiritual fruit of Russia and all the sunflowers, abundantly delighting and cheering the souls of the faithful! Now, with faith and trembling, we fall before the celibate reliquary of your holy relics, which you have mercifully granted for comfort and help to the suffering, we humbly pray to you with our hearts and lips, holy father, as an all-Russian mentor and teacher of piety, a shepherd and a doctor of our mental and physical ailments: look for your children, who greatly sin in words and deeds, and visit us with your much and holy love, with which you gloriously succeeded even in the days of earth, especially after your righteous death, instructing the saints and God-enlightened fathers in the rules, admonishing us in the commandments of Christ, in You were jealous of their goodness until the last hour of your difficult monastic life; ask us, weak in soul and in distress in sorrow, a favorable and saving time for repentance, true correction and renewal of our life, in which we, sinners, have become vain in mind and heart, having given ourselves over to indecent and cruel passion, vice and lawlessness, of which there is no number; accept therefore, protect and cover us with the shelter of your many mercies, send us a blessing from the Lord, so that we may bear the good yoke of Christ in long-suffering until the end of our days, looking forward to the future life and the Kingdom, where there is no sorrow or sighing, but life and endless joy, abundantly flowing from the One, All-Holy and Blessed Source of immortality in the Trinity of the worshiped God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
In Optina Hermitage you can venerate the relics of St. Ambrose. They are kept in the Vvedensky Cathedral. They are open part of the day for worship.
You can venerate the relics:
To the True Hierarch Jesus Christ, who offered to Himself to God the Father on the altar of the Cross a pure sacrifice, undefiled by us sinners, and who gave us Your Body to eat and Your Blood to drink, ordaining the sacrament in the power of the Holy Spirit, saying this: Whenever you do, in My remembrance do it . I pray through Your honest Blood, the great price of our salvation, I pray through this wondrous and inscrutable love, with which You, the unworthy, loved us so much, as if You washed us from our sins with Your Blood: teach me, Thy unworthy servant, even with Your other gifts , into the rank of the priesthood, not according to my deeds, but according to Yours alone, You deigned to call upon mercy, teach me by Your Spirit to perform such a great mystery, with great honor and reverence, with great piety and fear, in the image that is worthy of doing. Make me, Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy grace to always believe and understand the majesty of this mystery, to feel and firmly hold, to speak and think, befitting of You, and useful to my soul. Let Your good Spirit enter into my heart, speak silently, speak all the truth of so many mysteries, which have deepened deeply and are covered with a Divine shelter. For the sake of Thy mercy, deign me now and always to perform the sacred rite with a pure heart and thought. Cleanse your heart from unclean, vile, idle and harmful thoughts. Protect the saints by angels with faithful guardianship and strong militia, so that the enemy of all blessings will flee to shame by the power of so much of the sacrament and the hand of Thy holy Angel. Leave from me, my Christ, and from all Your servants the spirit of pride, vanity, envy, rage, fornication, uncleanness, unbelief and blasphemy, so that those who persecute us will be ashamed and may those who strive to destroy us perish.
To the King of strength, purity and chastity, Lover, O God, with the dew from above Your blessing, extinguish all the passionate flame in my flesh, for may the complete purity of soul and body live in me, with Your other gifts, pleasing to You in truth, so that I may have an undefiled body and a pure heart. To bring you a sacrifice of praise with so much contrition of heart, an outpouring of tears, with such honor and fear, in such purity of flesh and spirit, this heavenly Divine offering must be made, where Your Body is essentially eaten and Your Blood is essentially drunk, where the heavenly things below copulate, where you are the angels are coming, where the priest and the wonderful and indescribable sacrifice You yourself offered. And who is worthy to do this, if not You Yourself, Almighty Lord, are worthy to do the offering? By this I am truly known, and I confess this to Thy mercy, that I am not worthy of the multitude for the sake of my sins and countless transgressions, to approach great mysteries, but I truly and believe with all my heart and lips I confess, that You alone are able to honor me, who was conceived in iniquities. and the one who is born can be cleansed. For the sake of this omnipotence of Yours, I pray to You: grant me, a sinner, this heavenly sacrifice with fear and trembling, a clear conscience, an outpouring of tears, in spiritual joy and Divine joy, so that my blessed mind may feel the sweetness of Your coming and the host of Your holy angels around me.
Because, Lord, remembering Your saving Passion, I approach Your altar, even though I am unworthy, so that I may offer You a sacrifice, dedicated to You and offered in Your remembrance of our salvation, set up. Accept this, I pray to Thee, my God, for the Church of Thy Saints and for all the people whom Thou hast provided with Thy Honest Blood: and before me, a sinner, Thou hast desired to be a mediator between Thee and them, if Thou hast not found evidence of good deeds in me , the ministry of reconciliation, entrusted to me, so that if you do not renounce, because it is not mine for the sake of unworthiness, you will lose the price of your salvation, for whose sake you yourself deigned to be a saving sacrifice and atonement. I offer, Lord, if you deign to mercifully look upon, the sorrows of people, the sighs of captives, the sufferings of the poor, the needs of travelers, the sorrows of the weak, the infirmities of old, the sobs of a child, the vows of virgins, the prayers of widows and orphans, tenderness. You love everything, and despise nothing created by You. Remember who our composition is, for You are our Father. Do not be very angry with us, nor close the wombs of Your compassions from us, O Lord, for it is not in our truths that we pour out our prayers before Your Face, but in Your many compassions. Take away from us, Lord, our iniquities, and with the fire of Your Holy Spirit, mercifully incinerate us: take away the heart of stone from our flesh and give a heart of flesh that fears You, loves, honors, follows You and feeds on You. We ask, O Master, for Thy generosity, so that with a bright face you may look favorably upon Thy property, awaiting Thy holy name of service, and may not a single prayer, not a single petition be rejected. You teach us to pray, even if you yourself are ready to hear and when you ask for mercy, you fulfill them.
We pray to Thee, Holy Father, for the departed souls of the faithful, that this great sacrament of piety may be for them deliverance, salvation, joy and eternal joy. Lord my God, give them today complete and complete consolation from You, the True, Living Bread, who came down from heaven and gives life to the world from Your Holy Flesh, the undefiled Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world. Give them a drink of the stream of Thy goodness that flowed from Thy pierced rib on the Cross, so that they may rejoice in the praise and glory of Thy Holy One.
I pray, Lord, Your goodness, may the fulfillment of Your Divinity come to this Bread and this Cup, may the invisible image and incomprehensible glory of Your Holy Spirit descend in the same way, as before on the sacrifices of the fathers, Who also may this offering of ours create the Body and Thy Blood, and me, Thy unworthy servant, will teach me to perform such a sacrament, so that Thou mayest more favorably and mercifully receive from my hands the Sacrifice for the salvation of all the living and the dead.
I pray to You, Lord, for the very sake of Your Holy Body and Blood of Your Sacrament, in the image of which we are always nourished and drunk in Your temple, cleansed, sanctified and adored, so that by Your power I am strengthened, coming to Your altar with a good conscience, I have this heavenly sacrament in my stomach and salvation, according to Thy holy word: The bread that I will give, My flesh is, I will give for the belly of the world that eats Me, and that one will live for My sake. Sweetest bread, heal the mouth of my heart, so that I feel the sweetness of Your love in me, heal every ailment, and besides You, I wish for no beauty. O pure bread, full of all sweets and aromas, enter into my heart and fill my inner soul with the sweetness of Your incense. The angels in heaven feed on You abundantly: may the alien man on earth be satisfied according to his strength with You. Holy Bread, Living Bread, Desirable Bread, come down from heaven and give life to the world, enter into my heart and cleanse me from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, enter into my soul, sanctifying and enlightening outside and inside, be my eternal guardianship of soul and body health. Drive away from me those who come against me, so that those who hate me may flee from Your Face, yes, I am protected by You, I will pass with You into Your eternal kingdom, where we will not be hidden, but face to face we will see You, when you give up the Kingdom to God and the Father, may there be all God in all. Until now I have hungered and thirsted, but then I will be satisfied, when Your glory will appear to me, in which You reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
