Saint
Isaac II of Optina
Venerable Isaac II of Optina
New Calendar December 26 Old Calendar January 8
Why they are a saint
Saint Isaac II (Bobrikov) died as a martyr on December 26, 1938. 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 II of Optina as a patron when they bear the name Isaac at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on December 26. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Isaac II 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.