Ambrose (in the world Alexander toast)

Years of life 1812 - 91. Elder Kozelsk Vvedensky Optina, Kaluga Province. Educated in the Tambov seminary, A. entered Optina desert, where he acquired a great respect for his asceticism and humility. A lot of people of all classes, rank and position was drawn to him for spiritual help and to heal from physical illnesses. Incidentally, he was visited by Dostoevsky and LN. Tolstoy.

In 1860 A. was elected elder of the desert. It is arranged through the efforts of several women's monastic communities and charitable institutions. From the works of A. published: "Collection of letters and articles Optina elder ieroshimonaha A." (No.. I, Moscow, 1894; No.. II, Moscow, 1897), "Instruction Elder ieroshimonaha A. about, . how much we care about the body and how little of the soul, . and of repentance "(M., . 1896); "edifying instruction elder Optina, . ieroshimonaha A. "(M., . 1898), "Collection of letters to worldly personages" (M., . 1908), "Collection of letters to monastics" (Sergiev Posad, . 1908),
. - Wed. F. P. C., bereavement (Optina elder of. Ambrose) (Moscow, 1892); P. B., "the elder of Optina. Ambrose (Moscow, 1892), E. B., "Short tale about the life of the elder Optina. Ambrose (Moscow, 1893).