Saint
Ambrose of Optina
Saint Ambrose, Elder of Optina, the Wonderworker († 1891)
New Calendar October 10 Old Calendar October 23
Why they are a saint
Alexander Michailovich Grenkov was born Nov. 23, 1812 in the Russian province of Tambov. His parents raised him strictly and with fervent piety. Since he was of a priestly family, it was no surprise when he entered the Tambov theological seminary in 1830. Venerated as a monastic saint, honored for a life of prayer and asceticism.
Life
Saint Ambrose, in the world Alexander Grenkov, was born on November 23, 1812, in Tambov province, to a priestly family. During seminary he promised to become a monk if healed of a serious illness, but for a time he taught instead. Told by the hermit Hilarion in 1839 to go to Optina, he at last left secretly for the monastery.
Tonsured in 1842 with the name Ambrose, he was cell attendant of Elder Macarius, also knew Elder Leonid, and was ordained priest in 1845. Though his health declined, he became a renowned elder. He spent his last period at the Shamordino convent, still receiving visitors, and fell asleep in the Lord on October 10, 1891; he was buried at Optina. He was glorified in 1988.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Ambrose of Optina as a patron when they bear the name Ambrose at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on October 10. Russian Orthodox faithful also honor his as one of their own.
Prayer
O holy Ambrose of Optina, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.