Hilarion of Optina

Venerable Hilarion, elder of Optina Monastery.

St. Hilarion was born in 1805 and, after years of caring for the poor in the world, entered Optina Monastery, where he became a disciple of the elder Macarius and later confessor and elder of the community. He was known for his gentleness and his gift of healing souls afflicted by despair.

He reposed in 1873 and is numbered among the Elders of Optina. He is commemorated on September 18.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Hilarion of Optina is commemorated on September 18. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on October 1 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on September 18

• 

  Eumenios of Gortyna

  Hierarch, Ευμένιος

  Bishop Eumenius of Gortyna.

  Name days: Evmenios

• Ariadne of Phrygia

  Holy Woman, Αριάδνη

  Holy Martyr Ariadne of Phrygia, slave girl who confessed Christ.

  Name days: Ariadne, Ariadni, Ariadna

• Sophia and Irene of Egypt

  Holy Woman, Σοφία και Ειρήνη

  Holy Martyrs Sophia and Irene of Egypt.

• Kastor the Martyr

  Martyr, Κάστωρ

  Holy Martyr Kastor of Alexandria.

• Romylos of Ravanica

  Venerable, Ρωμύλος της Ραβάνιτσας

  Venerable Romylos of Ravanica, Athonite hesychast and disciple of St. Gregory of Sinai.