Избранник Божией Матери

The most beloved disciple of the Monk Ambrose, schema-monk Joseph, became the successor of the great Optina Elders, carrying out this great feat of service to the world in the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Queen of Heaven Herself especially favored this humble worker of Love: even in early childhood, the future schema-monk was honored to see her with bodily eyes; “My beloved!” - this is how the Mother of God addressed the humble novice after visiting him during his illness. From the life descriptions of the Elder it follows that he was honored to see the Queen of Heaven at least twice, of which there is convincing evidence. But how many times did the novices and spiritual children of the saint, looking at him, yesterday dying and suddenly strengthened in the power of the Spirit, yesterday exhausted and suddenly filled with quiet joy and tenderness, have reason to assume that he was granted a vision of grace!? Father himself spoke positively about his vision only in childhood. We learned about the visit of the Virgin Mary during his illness only from the words of another novice, the Monk Ambrose (which was confirmed more than once by Father Ambrose himself), thanks to the wondrous Providence of God, who thus wanted to point to his chosen one. Fr. himself Joseph, out of his deep humility, never talked about visiting the Mother of God, and when his great Abba sent some visitors to him with questions: “What did the Mother of God look like?” or “Does the image on the painted icon look like the Virgin Mary?” – always avoided answering. So how many times he was granted a heavenly visit: two, three or more - it is impossible to say with certainty. But from his life it follows that he was constantly in prayerful communication with the Most Pure One, and in those cases when necessity required, as a final argument he said: “What if this is not my will, but the Queen of Heaven herself?” And all the arguments of the arrogant mind crumbled from these words of the Great Novice. If we try to briefly, in a few words, convey the image of the unforgettable Father, then perhaps we can say the following: he was an Elder who apparently radiated the light of Divine grace. Very many, many testified that they saw with their bodily eyes how the light of Divine grace rested on the Elder, how streams of rays literally poured from his eyes, how a bright radiance emanated from his face. This Tabor Light of Divine life clearly illuminated the face of the righteous man at the moment of his blessed death, which brought awe to all those present. This wondrous Tabor Light, the light of Divine meekness and humility, illuminates the entire life of the Great Elder, his teachings and letters, filling the hearts of those thirsty with the water of Eternal Life.