Raphael of Optina

Raphael_of_Optina

Our father among the saints, the New Hiero-Confessor Raphael of Optina (1891 - June 6, 1957) was a Russian monk, priest, and confessor. He suffered twenty years of unjust imprisonment under Communist rule. He was a spiritual son of some of the last of the Optina Elders, such as St. Nectarius. His relics are located in the narthex of Feast of the Transfiguration Church in Optina. He was glorified in 2006 by the Russian Orthodox Church and is commemorated on June 6.