Optina Called. 7 Months That Gave Life a New Meaning

Leaving behind a career, success, and "parties" in search of true values and the meaning of life? One such decision — and Ksenia Gureeva's life was divided into "before" and "after". For 7 months, the girl went to the legendary Optina Pustyn Monastery. Harsh conditions of obedience, a shower once a week, exhausting work from dawn to dusk, communication with famous elders, and unexpected joys — the entire unique experience of life in the monastery through the eyes of an ordinary person. A captivating story of 7 months of obedience that touched the hearts of more than 170,000 followers on social media. "This book is a small life spanning 7 months: full of joys, fears, despair, and overcoming. This is always what happens in Optina: it purifies, heals, and provides the key to a new life. I cannot express how grateful I am to Ksenia for giving us the opportunity to see the Optina wonders through her eyes." — Ekaterina Matsveyeva, host of SPAS TV channel, founder of the "Brides' School". "An amazing living story of coming to God: a beautiful girl, having all the worldly goods she desires, unexpectedly leaves for a monastery, where a miracle of communion with Christ, the saints, true life, and love takes place. Meetings with Father Iliodor, with Mother Elizabeth, and Elder Ilia fill readers with the light and love that flows from the pages of this beautiful book." — Evgenia Ulieva, Orthodox psychologist