St. Leo of Optina (in the world, Lev Danilovich Nagolkin) entered the history of the Russian Orthodox Church as the founder of the famous Optina elders. His life is an amazing example of how the Lord chooses a man from the midst of worldly vanity and, through the crucible of life's trials, brings him up to be a great shepherd of human souls.
The future elder was born in the town of Karachev, Orel province, into a merchant family. From a young age, he moved in a trading environment, serving as a clerk in the hemp business. His duties required him to travel constantly: Leo accompanied wagons with goods over long distances.
During these trips, his rare courage, determination and tremendous physical strength were shown. One day, a young man was attacked by a ferocious wolf, who tore a large piece of flesh from his leg. Without panicking, the Lion managed to grab the beast by the throat with one hand and shove the other down its throat, strangling the predator. Since then, in memory of his miraculous salvation, the monk remained lame for the rest of his life.
The years spent on the road have enriched Leo with invaluable knowledge of human nature. The sharp-witted clerk constantly communicated with representatives of various classes. He thoroughly studied the way of life, the needs and psychology of both ordinary peasants and noble nobles. Later, when the Lord called him to senile ministry, this experience helped him easily find the key to the heart of anyone who came to him for spiritual comfort.
After leaving the world, Leo began monastic life in Optina Pustyn, but soon moved to the Beloberezhskaya monastery, where the famous Athonite ascetic Elder Vasily (Kishkin) presided. Here Leo took monastic vows with the name Leonid and underwent a strict test of obedience, patience and physical feats. The monk's spiritual talents and administrative talent led to his appointment as Father Basil's successor as rector in 1804.
However, the main event in the spiritual development of the monk was a meeting in the Cholna monastery with Father Theodore, a faithful disciple and follower of the great elder Paisii Velichkovsky. Father Theodore revealed to the young ascetic "science from sciences and art from arts" — the experience of incessant inner prayer that cleanses the heart from passions. Under the guidance of an experienced mentor, the future Optina elder deeply internalized the patristic traditions of smart work. During the same period, the Lord connected him with the bonds of friendship with the inspector of the Oryol Seminary, Abbot Filaret (the future Metropolitan of Kiev), whose patronage more than once protected the elder during periods of future persecution.
Having become the rector of the Beloberezhsky desert, Father Leonid immediately called his spiritual father— Elder Theodore, to him. Their intimate prayerful cooperation and like-mindedness laid a solid foundation for the revival of true eldership in Russia. Having passed through many monasteries and trials, St. Leo (who received the Great schema in Optina with the return of his original name) brought this blessed fire of unceasing prayer and pastoral love to Optina deserts, making it the main spiritual heart of Orthodox Russia.