Saint
Isaac I of Optina
Venerable Isaac (the First) of Optina († 1894)
New Calendar August 22 Old Calendar September 4
Why they are a saint
Saint Isaac (Antimonov) fell asleep in the Lord on August 22, 1894. The Moscow Patriarchate authorized local veneration of the Optina Elders on June 13,1996, glorifying them for universal veneration on August 7, 2000. Venerated as a monastic saint, honored for a life of prayer and asceticism.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Isaac I of Optina as a patron when they bear the name Isaac at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on August 22. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Isaac I of Optina, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.