Saint · 1768
Leonid of Optina
Venerable Leonid of Optina
New Calendar October 11 Old Calendar October 24
Why they are a saint
Leo Nagolkin, the future Saint Leonid, was born in Karachev in the Orlov Province in 1768. As a young man he worked for a merchant, making long and frequent trips on his employer’s business. Venerated as a monastic saint, honored for a life of prayer and asceticism.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Leonid of Optina as a patron when they bear the name Leonid at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on October 11. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Leonid 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.