Optina Pustyn, spiritual heart of Russia

Optina Pustyn monastery is located near a little town of Kozelsk in Kaluga Region (250 km to the South-West from Moscow). Kozelsk became famous in XIII century, when it managed to defend for 7 weeks against Mongol hordes. If you dare ask why Mongols spent so much time in such an insignificant place, I can tell you a slightly different story. These "hordes" consisted of not more then 3 tumens (tumen = 10000 warriors). And Kozelsk citizens killed Mongol negotiators, which was one of the severest crimes according to Mongol law ... (more)

Optina Pustyn
Entrance to the monastery.

Optina Pustyn
Near the monastery.

Optina Pustyn
One of the towers in the monastery wall.

Optina Pustyn
Outside of the monastery.

Optina Pustyn
Kazansky church (more accurately, the church is consecrated to the...

Optina Pustyn
Inside the monastery.

Optina Pustyn
Vvedensky church.

Optina Pustyn
Living building.

Optina Pustyn
Inside the monastery.

Optina Pustyn
Vvedensky church.

Optina Pustyn
Vladimirsky church (church is consecrated to the icon of the Holy Mother from...

Optina Pustyn
Vladimirsky church.

Optina Pustyn
Cemetery. In the middle - three graves of monks killed by a satanist several...

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Entrance to the hermitage. In this hermitage monks lived (and live now)...

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Entrance to the hermitage.

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Entrance to the hermitage. Church of Ioann the Precursor.

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Church of Ioann the Precursor. Here monks from the hermitage worship....

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Entrance to the hermitage (from inside).

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Pilgrims' hostel. This was designed as a church, but was never consecrated.

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Monks' cells.

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Church of Ioann the Precursor.

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Pilgrims' hostel.

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Monks' cells.

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Archangel Michael at the entrance to the church of Ioann the Precursor.

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Church of Ioann the Precursor.

Ioann the Precursor Hermitage
Outside of the hermitage.

Optina Pustyn
General view of the monastery. From left to right: Vladimirsky, Kazansky,...

Optina Pustyn
Vladimirsky church.

Optina Pustyn
General view of the monastery.

Shamordino nunnery
Entrance. Nunnery is located about 10 km from Optina Pustyn monastery.

Shamordino nunnery
Kazansky church.

Shamordino nunnery
Refectory.

Shamordino nunnery
Kazansky church.

Shamordino nunnery
General view of the nunnery.

Shamordino nunnery
Water-tower.

Shamordino nunnery
Perlov's (sponsor of nunnery construction) house.

Shamordino nunnery
General view of the nunnery.

Shamordino nunnery
St. Amvrosiy church.

Shamordino nunnery
St. Amvrosiy church, entrance.

Shamordino nunnery
Grave of Maria (Lev Tolstoy's sister) who was a nun in Shamordino.

Shamordino nunnery
Near the nunnery.

Shamordino nunnery
Holy springs, bathhouse.

Shamordino nunnery
Holy springs.

Shamordino nunnery
General view of the nunnery.

Shamordino nunnery
St. Amvrosiy church.

Shamordino nunnery
General view of the nunnery.

Shamordino nunnery
Kazansky church.

Shamordino nunnery
This is a cat our friends took from the nunnery.

article published 6/12/2003

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Thanks and question
Hello. There is quite a long time the photos were published. I thank zou verz much for them. It is one of the most complete collection of photos from Optina Pustyn I have found. And thanks also for the historical data. Do you agree that I may public some photos and link to this page on my personal blog http://adria74.wordpress.com ( I intend to write something about Optina Pustyn')? Waiting for your answer- Kind regards, Adriana
— adria74, January 13, 2008

Greetings from Saint Joseph, Missouri USA. The photographs of Optina Pustyn and the nunnery are exceptional. They capture a moment in time and are available for the people of the world to see.

Where is the Holy Spring from Optina Pustyn and its name? Not the spring at the nunnery.

Take care and have a great day.
— Jerry Otero, February 11, 2005

Any news on the re-birthed communities? When were they reestablished? How many members are there?
— Father John, December 9, 2004

Thanks for all your fascinating photos!!
— ellie robb, August 29, 2004