Category
page 1Starets
Seraphim of Sarov
Russian Saint and Wonderworker
Sergius of Radonezh
Russian saint (1314-1392)
Paisius Velichkovsky
Orthodox monk
Herman of Alaska
Saint, monk
Nilus of Sora
Russian theologian and saint

starets
A starets ( ; fem. ) is an elder of an Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic monastery or convent who functions as venerated adviser and teacher. Elders or spiritual fathers are charismatic spiritual leaders whose wisdom stems from God as obtained from ascetic experience. It is believed that through ascetic struggle, prayer and hesychasm, the Holy Spirit bestows special gifts onto the elder including the ability to heal, prophesy, and most importantly, give effective spiritual guidance and direction. Elders are looked upon as being an inspiration to believers and an example of saintly virtue, s
Silouan the Athonite
monk of Russian origin
Feodor Kuzmich
Russian saint
Sophrony Sakharov
Russian monk, theologian and writer (1896–1993)

Ambrose of Optina
Russian Orthodox elder, monk, and saint (1812–1891)
Pavel of Taganrog
Russian saint (1792-1879)
Elder Tadej Štrbulović
Serbian Orthodox archimandrite (1914-2003)
Lev of Optina
Russian saint and monk
Ilie Nozdrin
Russian schema-archimandrite

John Krestiankin
Russian monk (1910-2006)
Scarlat Vârnav
politician