Optina Pustyn Monastery
Optina Pustyn Monastery played a vital role in the spiritual life of Russia. It has every right to be called a symbol of the Russian spiritual resurrection of the end of the XVIII century.
Located near a pine forest and separated by the Zhizdra from the outside world, the monastery was a perfect place for hermits. This used to be a spiritual oasis, blessed with the grace of the first ages of Christianity. Optina Pustyn elders had the greatest gift of all - the gift of judgment, as well as the gifts of vision, healing and working of miracles. Optina Pustyn is one of the oldest monasteries in Russia.
Monastery Web site: http://www.optina.ru/