Starets

Russian Saint and Wonderworker

Russian saint (1314-1392)

Orthodox monk

Saint, monk

Russian theologian and saint

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

monk of Russian origin

Russian saint

Russian monk, theologian and writer (1896–1993)

Russian Orthodox elder, monk, and saint (1812–1891)

Russian saint (1792-1879)

Serbian Orthodox archimandrite (1914-2003)

Russian saint and monk

Russian schema-archimandrite

Russian monk (1910-2006)

politician