One of the most famous elders serving in the Pskov-Pechersky monastery was the father of Savva Ostapenko. It was this man who became a kind of beacon of hope. His relationship with God and his love for others attracted many people who were looking for wise advice, support, and just someone who would sincerely treat them.
In particular, these traits were important in the twentieth century. It was during this period that people lost touch with the Almighty. The authorities punished such an initiative, but nevertheless, the human heart demanded the presence of a spiritual blessing, which was more than distributed by the sheikhumen Sava Ostapenko. Photos, interesting facts, the spiritual path and the difficult life of a monk will be presented in this article.
Birth and childhood
Nikolai Mikhailovich Ostapenko was born on November 11, 1898. Little Kolya was brought up in a Christian family. Parents (Michael and Catherine) from childhood told him about God and taught to pray.
People lived in perfect harmony, believed in God and prayed earnestly. In addition to Nikolai, seven more children grew up in the family. Mother was a very kind and unusually sincere person. Her love for people was unlimited. An example of this is the fact that a woman could give the last meal to a requesting elderly person. Such situations have developed repeatedly. But the woman sincerely believed that the Lord would help her children, and they would not remain hungry. Oddly enough, this is exactly what happened, the family was poor, but they did not have to starve. That was what was a real miracle.
The birth of a dream
When Nikolai was six years old, his parents decided to send the child to school at the church. Science was easy, the boy had obvious abilities. Therefore, study quickly dragged him on, with every day interest grew more and more. Over time, a little matured boy began to serve the priests in the church, and also to sing in the choir. All this was easy, because he had the ability and a great desire to do just that. These studies gradually brought little Nicholas closer to God, he began to dream more and more about serving the Lord and did everything necessary to fulfill his small but not childish dream.
It was not surprising to anyone that Kolya admitted that he dreams of being a monk. But such dreams were not according to his age, because Nikolai was then still quite a boy. Such an adult mind surprised parents, but they were happy for their child.
Fatal case
Once, in one of the cold winter days, Kolya went to the river, where he fell into an ice hole. Naturally, the water was icy, and the boy got wet to the skin. But, thank God, they saved him and sent him home as soon as possible. Unfortunately, a cold was not avoided. By evening, the temperature rose, because of which it was not possible to fall asleep. In such delirium, Nikolai saw a vision in which a man appeared in the guise of a priest, and after a few minutes he realized that this man was him. After that, the boy quickly recovered and soon got to his feet.
Education
More than one year has passed since the day of that vision, time has dragged on, but the cherished dream has not come true. This very upset the young man, but he did not stop in his labors. He grew up spiritually, prayed and continued to help others around him. All this in small steps led him to a cherished dream.
This young enough youth knew the gospel almost by heart. In particular, he loved to read the Gospel of John, and at any free moment he picked up this particular book.
Already at the age of 13, Nikolai managed to graduate from college. And at the age of 16, a young man was called up early to serve in the imperial army. If you take into account the track record, then thanks to its chronology, you can find out that since 1917 Nicholas joined the Red Army. At the end of the Civil War, he decided to continue his military path and therefore entered the military technical school. After graduating from college, Kolya acquired the title of military technician, and even went to work in his new specialty. In 1932, Nikolai decided to continue his studies, so he was enrolled in the Moscow Construction Institute, which he also successfully graduated from.
Labor activity
He worked as a civil engineer, being in this position until 1945. Despite the fact that all these years Nicholas lived in the world, the ordinary life of man, he did not forget about his own dream and faith in God. He did not stop praying for a day, and with small steps approached his cherished dream.
Soon, Nikolai met the old man Illarion. It was he who became an assistant, mentor and just a native person at the beginning of the spiritual path of Nicholas. It was Hilarion who helped make the dream a reality.
The fact is that the war brought a lot of grief. In every family, people died. It was hard and painful. All these sorrows began to arouse in people faith in God.
Last Steps to Monasticism
At the age of 48, Nikolai makes an incredibly important decision for himself - to enter a theological seminary. There he became a true example. Diligence, industriousness, sincere and kind heart - this is what helped Nikolai become the best. Spiritual life reigned in him, and thanks to such enthusiasm, many considered him strange and even tried to joke. But in case of trouble, they always ran to him for help. And he never refused and did not hold resentment for jokes.
At the end of the seminary, Nicholas was invited to serve in the temple, but the childhood dream prevailed, and he went to the monastery. Monasticism was a reasonable decision, he wanted to pray for peace and for each person individually. For him it was important, necessary for the soul.
Finally, he came to his dream: Nikolai Mikhailovich was received at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Initially, he was accepted for obedience, but this period was passed quickly and with success. Obedience was easy, although there were temptations and more. But how can you betray a childhood dream? What was going for so long, about which the heart ached. That is why everything went in one breath, and those around him saw and understood it.
New name - new destiny
Soon he took tonsure.
Got a new name, a new life. And now Nicholas could forget about his worldly name, he is Savva. Oddly enough, but it was about this name that little Kolya dreamed, and the Lord heard his prayers. From this moment, Savva was in indissoluble union with God.
The life of the priest in the monastery was not easy. A huge number of trials, temptations and the like fell to his lot. The father led the construction of the temple, he had to take on the most difficult work. For such efforts and desire to develop, he was given yet another obedience, namely, to be the confessor of pilgrims.
The father was very kind, sincerely worried about the people around him who did not understand what they were doing. He prayed daily for people in the world, asking the Lord to grant them enlightenment of the mind. He tried to explain the truth of every sinful act, no, he did not scold, but tried to convey the truth with good.
Persecution
Soon he became a hieromonk. The strength of the priest's prayer was incredible. Every day more and more people gathered around the temple who dreamed of the blessing of Sava. He lovingly tried to hear everyone, to give advice in a difficult situation. So the fame of this incredible holy father dispersed throughout the cities. This situation did not suit the authorities. They tried to threaten him, slandered him, many troubles fell on his head. Subsequently, it was decided to send Father Savva as far as possible. So St. Savva Ostapenko and ended up in the Pskov-Pechersk monastery.
But here there were people who did not understand the priest. It was difficult for him, a lot of suffering fell on his lot. He loved every person. But this love was special, to each his own. Thus, he treated the stronger with all severity, trying to exalt their spirituality. But with the spiritually weak people, the old man Savva Ostapenko treated like people who are affected by an illness.
Instructions
He did not like verbosity, and even that was useless. Even the longest story can be told in a few sentences. That is what he demanded.
Savva has written a huge number of books that are aimed at helping a person come to God. The path is far from close, difficult and thorny, but still there is a right loophole, and if you go without turning, you can go to a beautiful clearing where the Lord will meet his child. That is what he tried to prove by his own example. His path was incredibly difficult. He went through a lot and still remained faithful to a small childhood dream that created a miracle. Until the last days of his life, the father remained disgraced by the authorities.
On July 27, 1980, Savva's father passed away, the bell ringing of all the sad news. At that moment, his spiritual children were next to him, who knew how good and incredible the father was. With his hands the Lord worked miracles, everyone could feel it. This day turned out to be mournful for the brethren, but at the same time, having passed a whole series of trials and persecutions, Savva deserved to rest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And his children still sincerely pray for his stay there.
Savva Ostapenko left a great legacy. Quotes from the holy father still help many find the right direction on the spiritual path. Father always asked for justice, honesty and disinterestedness. He taught people to be strict towards themselves, but condescending to others. And if anger encompasses, then it is better to leave silently. The schigumen Savva Ostapenko gave many teachings. The biography of the holy father was not simple, however, these difficulties helped the saint not only come to the Lord himself, but also set others on the true path.