Tradition of Russian spiritual elders lives on

Hundreds of pilgrims flock to Russia's celebrated Optina Pustyn Monastery in Kozelsk, as they seek advice from Religious Elders, a phenomenon that arose in the 19th century and their reputation continues to this day.

“Elders increase one's spirituality. They help people find the way, not to get lost in life,” says one of the pilgrims.

“I found a web-site about this place, and came here because it will extend my spirituality,” adds another.

Unique to Eastern Christianity, the elders, known as startsy, are believed to function as clairvoyants. They used to have their own quarters at the monastery, where people visited for advice and prayer.

The startsy weren't appointed by any authority, rather they were seen by the people as having a special spiritual charisma. And they had the reputation of being able to read the secrets of a person's heart without previously having met them.

It was their gift for prophesy that, throughout history, attracted both the illiterate and the educated elite.

When the writer Dostoevsky made the pilgrimage, one of the elders became the prototype for Father Zosima in his novel “The Brothers Karamazov.”

And Gogol sought support from an elder after coming under sharp criticism for his religious writings.

“The elder pointed out all the weak and strong points of Gogol's work. The writer was so impressed he said he himself would become a monk. But the elder told Gogol he should serve literature,” says father Ilarion.

Optina Pustyn, one of the most important spiritual centres of the Russian Othodox Church, was closed by the Soviets in 1918, and later declared a Gulag prison camp. The monastery was returned to the Orthodox Church in the 80's, and its startsy were glorified as saints.

Since the monastery was returned to the Orthodox Church in 1987, it's once again become a centre for spiritual healing.

Now only a handful of elders enjoy wide recognition. And Optina Pustyn, once a centre for startsy, is now home to only one – Father Illy.

He says most people who visit him are those in grief, seeking consolation, or those who face a major decision in their lives.

“In modern days, the demand for startsy is much higher than supply. The people who have returned to the church on mass are looking for miraculous spiritual guidance,” says Andrei Zolotov, religious affairs expert.