X. Судьба обители после кончины Старца. – Устройство различных мастерских. – Построение трапезной. – Решение продолжать приостановленное построение храма. – Преемники почившего Старца, иеросхимонах Анатолий и иеросхимонах Иосиф. – Их влияние. – Рудново. – Келья, где скончался Старец

After the death of the Elder, in the fate of his monastery, which was left without any means of subsistence, the miraculous Providence of God began to especially manifest itself. The Lord, through the prayers of the deceased founder, sent benefactors to the monastery, who began to treat its needs with the most ardent sympathy. The main concern was maintaining those charitable principles that the Elder laid at the foundation of his monastery, and the shelter, hospital, and almshouse were placed in the best conditions. In addition, various workshops were established, which could subsequently be a source of income. This is how the workshops are organized: painting, embossing, gilding on wood, metal products, gold embroidery, carpet making, bookbinding, shoe making, sewing, photography and, most recently, a printing house has been added. The successes of the sisters in various branches of art could not have been more consoling to them. Frequent visits of benefactors to the monastery and the inconvenience of the small monastery hotel forced us to ask permission from the bishop to build a separate room behind the monastery fence, and soon a beautiful stone house was nestled at the edge of the monastery forest. This circumstance brought them even closer and closer to the monastery, and the most cordial relations were established between them. Now that these people dear to the monastery are alive, it is not time to expand in detail about their life and activities, but the history of the monastery will devote more than one page to them. The needs in the community increased and the watchful eye of the trustee saw everything, and thanks to this, little by little the monastery grew, was decorated with new buildings and was supplied with everything necessary. The old refectory building was falling into complete ruin and they decided to build a stone refectory. Rumors began about choosing a location; There were various assumptions, but somehow everyone did not come to a final decision. Finally, they chose a place, and since in order to dig the foundation it was necessary to disturb two graves (in the old cemetery, now located in the middle of the monastery), permission was sent to the governor, which was soon received. All that remained was to get down to business, but in the meantime various obstacles and inconveniences appeared, so they had to look for another, more suitable place. They invented and changed, and finally settled on the place where the so-called “old house” stood (where Kalygin still lived). Here everything could not have been more suitable for the conditions and convenience, and in May 1893 the foundation stone for a new refectory was completed, near the cathedral church under construction. And only then did they remember that Father Fr. Ambrose had long been thinking about the need to build a refectory here. Thus, the Elder’s insight showed itself. In December, on Christmas Eve, the refectory was consecrated, and on the 1st day of Christmas all the sisters dined in a new wonderful, bright and spacious building; At the end of dinner, everyone brought earnest thanks to the Lord, the Merciful and Nourisher of them, and with all their hearts proclaimed long-term health and prosperity to their benefactors and sang “eternal memory” to the vigilant prayer book Father Fr. Ambrose. The church in the name of the Kazan Mother of God, founded on the site of the original church under Father, was suspended after his death for lack of funds. The Lord was pleased to create a new miracle, and work began to boil again. The sisters, led by Matushka, carried bricks, sand and the like, and after a few years it was roughly ready. The steel workshop prepares everything necessary for interior decoration. Life in the community went on as usual, everything gradually returned to its proper form; the sisters gained experience in farming and managed everything themselves. The spiritual side of the monastic was also not forgotten; the sisters constantly used the guidance and instructions of the successors of Elder Ambrose, his close disciples Fr. Anatoly and Fr. Joseph, to whom they now went with all their sorrow and temptation. The first, being the spiritual father of the sisters from the very foundation of the community, continued to come to the community and worked with love in the spiritual heliport entrusted to him by the great Elder. The sisters had sincere affection and faith towards him and submitted to his good influence. But the Lord did not leave this consolation for long, and in 1894, after a serious illness, sincerely mourned by everyone, he rested in the Lord. Hieromonk Joseph was less well known; he was known only as Father’s senior cell attendant, Fr. Ambrose, who was constantly with him for 30 years, and only in the last year of the Elder’s life, had to get to know him better, since Father, having weakened physically, could not always confess his spiritual children and sent them for confession to Hieromonk Joseph. After the death of Elder Ambrose, Hieromonk Joseph became their leader and elder. His crystal clear soul and deepest humility influenced the soul more than words. He did not look like his wonderful teacher, but he was completely imbued with his spirit and, as they say, only breathed it. His distinctive qualities should be considered sincerity, non-seeking of any honor and humility; all these properties undoubtedly attracted a special grace, which often so noticeably affects his spiritual children, satisfying the deepest needs of their spirit. His sincere, simple speeches, but always full of high spiritual wisdom, have a beneficial effect on those conversing with him, and, as the fruit of many years of monastic experience, they are never an empty sound, but penetrate into the very depths of the heart and produce a revolution there, challenging them to fight the old man. In addition to the sisters of Shamorda and other monasteries, many from different places began to come to him and, reassured and encouraged, they became his zealous admirers. People constantly came to Optina Pustyn and Shamordino to honor the memory of the late Elder. Many often visited the monastery farm of Rudnovo, where Father loved to go, and where he put so much care into, predicting the special holiness of this place. The Elder's cell, his resting place, is especially revered by his admirers: everyone who comes to the monastery considers it their duty to visit this cell and bow to the Elder, and those with holy orders serve funeral services there. The funeral services performed by the bishops are especially touchingly solemn. Having put on the bishop's mantle, a small omophorion and with a staff in his hands, the bishop performs the service with the protodeacon; the members of his retinue usually sing, and each time the thought involuntarily comes to mind: the Elder lived humbly, simply, did not seek fame and did not have any high positions, and after his death, not only did the memory of him not die, but he is reverently revered by high-ranking persons, who often did not even know him personally. The sisters come to the hut to “Father” with all their sorrows, cry there, read the psalter, talk to him as if he were alive, and it will become easier. One day a certain nun had sorrows; she could not tell anyone everything and, without spiritual support, began to lose heart. Father appeared to her in a dream and said reproachfully: “Why don’t you ever come to my shack?” “Father,” the nun answered, “why go there, you’re not there.” “Go,” said the Elder, and say everything as you told the living; I listen to everyone there.” And it really happens that in fact, Father in his hut not only listens, but also gives answers; the answers are clear, amazing... Either things will work out on their own, or the heart will calm down, and the soul will become at ease.