Reverend Ambrose of Optina and spiritual enlightenment

Abstract

The article examines the legacy of Russian enlightenment, and defines the terms "enlightenment" and "education". In the first half of the 19th century, rightly called the golden age of Russian culture, at the time when Reverend Ambrose of Optina performed his great feat of spiritual enlightenment, educational work was powerfully developed and carried out in many directions, which laid the foundations for an unprecedented flourishing of spirituality and statehood in Russia. This nationwide work was based on the church-Orthodox concept of enlightenment as the transformation of man by divine grace, the bearer of which was and remains Reverend Ambrose of Optina. His valuable experience of spiritual enlightenment of his contemporaries has not lost its significance and relevance even today, and he can still teach modern Russia a lot.