On the night of March 15, 2025, at the age of 94, Archimandrite Eli (Nozdrin), a man whose name became synonymous with faith, wisdom and unyielding perseverance, passed away to the Lord. Patriarch Kirill's confessor, mentor of the Optina Desert brethren, an elder who was called the last guardian of the traditions of Russian eldership, left this world, leaving behind a trail of reverence and quiet sadness. The news of his departure, like a stone thrown into calm water, spread through the Telegram channel of the Vvedensky Stavropol Monastery: "Our dear father has gone to the Lord." For many, this was not just news — it was the end of an era.
From the peasant hut to the holy monastery: the way of Elijah

His life began far from the splendor of the capital and the church domes — in the modest village of Stanovoy Kolodez in the Orel region. Here, among endless fields and simple peasant huts, Alexey Nozdrin was born in 1932, a boy who was destined to become Elder Elijah. His childhood was not pampered: the war took his father away, leaving his mother to raise four children alone. But in this harsh simplicity, the soul was tempered, which would later become a beacon for thousands of people. Who would have thought then that this boy, who grew up on the Orel land, would one day profess the patriarch and revive spiritual traditions that seemed to have disappeared into oblivion?
The path to monasticism was long and thorny. After the army and studying at a technical college, he chose not worldly vanity, but a spiritual feat. In the late 1980s, when the country was still moving away from decades of persecution of the faith, Eli found himself in Optina Desert, a once-great monastery that had been reduced to ruins. He didn't just serve here — he breathed life into the ruined walls, becoming the one who returned the old man's ministry to the Russian land. For 20 years he worked in Optina, like a shepherd gathering a scattered flock, and his voice sounded like a bell in the fog, calling for salvation.
The highest stage of monasticism: Archimandrite Eli
In 2010, Elijah's life took a new turn — he received the rank of schiarchimandrite, the highest degree of monastic achievement. This is not just a title, it is a vow of complete renunciation of the world, when a person becomes a living bridge between the earthly and the heavenly. For Elijah, this dignity was not a reward, but a heavy cross, which he carried with amazing meekness. He was seen everywhere: in Optina Pustyn, in Peredelkino at the patriarchal Compound, in the far corners of Russia, where he traveled, despite his advanced age. People were drawn to him, from ordinary believers to high—ranking officials seeking advice or blessings.
Archimandrite Eli became the confessor of Patriarch Kirill in 2009, when the head of the Russian Orthodox Church had just assumed his post. It was not just a formality: the elder became the patriarch's mainstay in the most difficult moments, his quiet strength supported the church in turbulent times. They say he could calm the storm in his soul with a glance, and his words, simple but deep, penetrated right into the heart. He wasn't chasing fame, he wasn't looking for honors—he was just living by faith, and that was enough to get crowds around him.

The Night that changed everything: the elder's departure
Late at night on March 15, 2025 — this date will now forever remain in the memory of those who knew and honored Elijah. The monastery of Optina Pustyn, where he spent so many years, was informed of his death. "At the age of 94, our dear father passed away to the Lord," the message read, and in these words one could feel not only sorrow, but also reverence for who he was. He was 93 full years old, but 94 was already approaching — an age worthy of the biblical patriarchs, symbolizing the fullness of life given to God.
Elijah's departure was like a bolt from the blue. Until recently, despite the infirmity of his body, he continued to receive people, pray, and instruct. His health had long been a concern, but his spirit remained unyielding. And now — silence. The one who was a living legend has now gone to where he aspired all his life — to the Lord. The monastery asked for prayers for the repose of the newly deceased, and these words echoed throughout the country.

Optina Pustyn: the heart he revived
Optina Pustyn is not just a place on the map, it is a spiritual fortress that Elijah helped rebuild. When he arrived there in the late 1980s, the monastery was in disrepair: 65 years of godlessness had done their job. But the elder, like a warrior on the battlefield, got down to business. He didn't just restore the walls — he brought back the spirit of old age, the tradition that made Optina famous back in the 19th century. 20 years of continuous work is not just a number, it is an era in which Elijah became a living example of asceticism.
He was the confessor of the brethren, mentor, and father. His cell in the Optina Desert became a place of pilgrimage.: they came here for advice, for comfort, for a miracle. And miracles happened — not loud, not theatrical, but quiet, like the whisper of the wind in the forest. People walked away from him with ease in their hearts, as if they had dropped a heavy load. Now that he's gone, Optina is an orphan, an orphan who will keep the memory of her elder alive.

The Man behind the Legend: What did Eli leave behind
Father Elijah is not just about dignity and titles. This is a man who went through the trials of the 20th century and stood up. Having been born in the era of repression, he saw temples crumbling, and faith becoming the lot of the persecuted. But it didn't break. His life is a story about how a simple peasant boy grows up to be a spiritual giant whose name will be remembered by generations. Archimandrite Eli is a symbol of an indomitable faith that has survived everything: wars, persecutions, and troubles.
He did not leave behind any books or loud sermons recorded on video. His legacy lies in the people he mentored, in the churches that were built with his participation, and in the prayers he offered for Russia. His departure is not just the loss of the patriarch's confessor or Elder Optina. This is the passing of an era when the elders were living beacons in the sea of everyday storms. Now his voice has stopped, but the echo of his deeds will be heard for a long time.