Barsanuphius of Optina

Venerable Barsanuphius, elder of the Optina Hermitage and former army officer.

Barsanuphius, born Paul Plikhankov in 1845, served as an officer in the Russian army before leaving a promising career to enter the Optina Hermitage in middle age. He became a disciple of the elder Anatole and was in time made skete superior and spiritual father to many.

During the Russo-Japanese War he served as a military chaplain. He was later transferred from Optina and reposed in 1913 at the Golutvin Monastery. He is numbered among the holy Optina Elders.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Barsanuphius of Optina is commemorated on April 1. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on April 14 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on April 1

• 

  Mary of Egypt

  Holy Woman, Μαρία η Αιγυπτία

  Venerable Mary of Egypt, great penitent saint.

  Name days: Maria, Mary, Maro, Marianna, Marika, Mariam, Marie

• Makarios of Pelekete

  Venerable, Μακάριος ο Ομολογητής

  Venerable Makarios the Confessor, abbot of the Pelekete Monastery in Bithynia, who suffered exile for the holy icons.

• Gerontios and Basilides

  Martyr, Γερόντιος και Βασιλείδης

  Holy Martyrs Gerontios and Basilides, who were beheaded for their confession of Christ.

• Hermes and Theodora

  Martyr, Ερμής και Θεοδώρα

  Holy Martyrs Hermes and Theodora, brother and sister, who suffered together for Christ.

• Abraham of Bulgaria

  Martyr, Αβραάμιος ο Νεομάρτυρας

  Holy New Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, a Volga merchant who embraced Christ and was killed by his own people.

• Euthymius of Suzdal

  Venerable, Ευθύμιος Σουζδαλίας

  Venerable Euthymius, archimandrite and founder of the Saviour Monastery in Suzdal.