Are there any elders in America?

[Caleb Shoemaker]

I've been reading The Orthodox Church as we begin our journey into Orthodoxy, and am intrigued by the character of the Elder or Staretz. Are there any such people in the monasteries of the United States?

[Nina]

There is at least one Elder in USA. His name is Elder Ephraim of Arizona (Monastery of St. Anthony the Great).

[Father David Moser]

There is at least one Elder in USA. His name is Elder Ephraim of Arizona (Monastery of St. Anthony the Great).

While I wouldn't categorically disagree here - I would make the distinction that Fr Ephraim is not universally acclaimed or recognized as an "Elder" (in the sense of spirit bearing staretz).

Fr David Moser

[Eric Peterson]

Dear Caleb,
Elders, or experienced, enlightened spiritual guides, have always been rare globally, and moreso today, but even in America there is at least one, Elder Ephraim at St. Anthony's Monastery in Arizona. There are also many other experienced spiritual fathers in America which might be called elders in the true sense. Unfortunately, there are also people here and around the world who would pretend to be elders and lead people into problems. Elders are just one means God has given of guiding people aright. Even a humble parish priest is capable of this, though, as he has the grace of God. We also have our own conscience, our guardian angels, our saints, the Holy Scriptures, and most of all God Himself who speaks to our hearts and orders our lives and arranges things for our benefit and salvation. I say all this because, while I don't want to discourage you from investigating elders and monasticism, I don't want you to become overwhelmed. (Also, I don't know what your situational specifics are, so I try to cover the bases--lol.) It is easy for new converts to become very excited by a particular aspect of Orthodoxy and find that, later, their spiritual lives have a particular imbalance which could be dangerous (been there). Orthodox spirituality is dynamic, powerful, and rich since it is true. But it is important to realize our own situation, and that we just are not prepared to jump in that ocean. So, learn to walk on the beach and feel the little waves with your feet. Find a church parish home and a priest with whom you can develop a good rapport and make your confession. Visit monasteries. Ask your priest for books to read. Pray. And be joyful. God be with you, friend.

[Eric Peterson]

Perhaps it's safer to acclaim elders after they have departed to the Lord. We can be very sure, then, about Elders Paisios, Porphyrios, Iakovos, and even more sure of the glorified saints, the elders of Optina, for example.

I'm not sure "geronda" has the same kind of exclusivity attached to its use as "staretz." They both translated to about the same thing, but the Russian use appears narrower.

[Nina]

While I wouldn't categorically disagree here - I would make the distinction that Fr Ephraim is not universally acclaimed or recognized as an "Elder" (in the sense of spirit bearing staretz).

Fr David Moser

Of course even Saints are not universally recognized as such until the Church proclaims them Saints. But since for me personally he is an Elder and seeing the immense work he has done starting all monasteries he has and God has blessed his work so much here for me he is an Elder and I am not alone in this opinion. Plus there are many stories of miraculous things with Elder Ephraim. Of course much is not revealed since these kind of Elders prohibit people from divulging these before their death. One thing I know is that my husband who is not Orthodox when he sees Elder Paisios', Elder Ephraim's, Elder Porphyrios', Elder Iakovos' etc photos I have from books here at home, he immediately asks who these people are since he is impressed so much by their smile which reflects Heaven...

Eric wrote:


Elders, or experienced, enlightened spiritual guides, have always been rare globally, and moreso today, but even in America there is at least one, Elder Ephraim at St. Anthony's Monastery in Arizona. There are also many other experienced spiritual fathers in America which might be called elders in the true sense. Unfortunately, there are also people here and around the world who would pretend to be elders and lead people into problems.I agree with this very much.


It is easy for new converts to become very excited by a particular aspect of Orthodoxy and find that, later, their spiritual lives have a particular imbalance which could be dangerous (been there).I think this kind of intoxication can happen to the cradle people too.


Orthodox spirituality is dynamic, powerful, and rich since it is true. But it is important to realize our own situation, and that we just are not prepared to jump in that ocean.I commend Caleb in his interest about Spirituality. This as Eric says is one very important part of Orthodoxy. We can acquire spirituality and a lot of spiritual advise by reading Lives of Saints and Patristic books.

The most important elder for one person is his own spiritual father where he confesses. This is important. If we can have the blessing to visit an Elder and receive his blessing this is a great bonus for our spiritual life.

[Andreas Moran]

Some recent elders have been recognised as such during their lifetime. This would include the Greek elders mentioned, Elder Sophrony of Essex, and Staretz Kyrill (Pavlov) (who is still alive) of Holy Trinity St Sergius Lavra.

[Archimandrite Irenei]

I've been reading The Orthodox Church as we begin our journey into Orthodoxy, and am intrigued by the character of the Elder or Staretz. Are there any such people in the monasteries of the United States?

Yes. And God will show you precisely who they are at precisely the time this becomes helpful to your salvation. Until such time, take joy in leaving them to God and residing in their prayers!

INXC, Fr Irenei

[Nina]

One thing I know is that my husband who is not Orthodox when he sees Elder Paisios', Elder Ephraim's, Elder Porphyrios', Elder Iakovos' etc photos I have from books here at home, he immediately asks who these people are since he is impressed so much by their smile which reflects Heaven...


Just as I was writing this now, the mailman brought a book (blessing!) from St. Herman of Alaska Monastery. It is the book "Our thoughts determine our lives" by Elder Thadeus of Serbia. And as I opened the package my husband was asking me: "Do not you already have his book? Right there?" And pointed to the books of these Elders I mentioned above. (Giggle) He could not tell this is a new Elder entering our home since his face too radiates with the love and smile from Heaven. This is a characteristic of these modern/contemporary Elders. This smile from Heaven.

These Elders are humble, unpretentious, need no glory, quiet and people who have reached theosis and are a beacon from Heaven on earth. As Fr. Irenei mentions above, allow these Elders to find you. I had no idea about Elder Thadeus (he has departed now) until some days ago. God revealed him since I needed to listen to him and read from him. There is a 6 part video on you tube where this Elder is being interviewed and I wanted to etch his words all over my place to be surrounded by them since they are very helpful to me. And then a friend told me about Elder's book and the Monastery of St. Herman has published it! :) Now I am like a kid in the middle of fairytale land that this Elder entered my home. :) See I have been Orthodox for long and still can get too excited like Eric warns us about. :) But some joy is ok. :)

[Caleb Shoemaker]

Yes. And God will show you precisely who they are at precisely the time this becomes helpful to your salvation. Until such time, take joy in leaving them to God and residing in their prayers!

INXC, Fr Irenei

Father, Bless!

Thank you so much. That was exactly what I needed to hear.

[Anna K.]

Nina dear,

Thank you so much for introducing Elder Thadeus to us.
He has through the videos helped me as well so much. Hoping to get the book as well!

In christ
Anna K

[Fr Seraphim (Black)]

Are there elders in the USA?
Normally to paraphrase Fr. Paisios [+1994] "..many of us are elderly but not necessarily elders..."
No matter which word we desire to utilize, be it: startez, gerondas, duhovnik, abba, or the feminine version of these words; yes, our Orthodox Christian historical witness has been that there will be Spiritual Fathers and Mothers until the end of this present age.
The question arises: how do you define this term.

This then opens a veritable can of worms (forgive the expression). Do you want an old man with silver hair and a beard down to his knees; of a gentle elderly Abbess with a twinkle in her eye?

It is not in the Christian life as it is in secular life: what you pay is equal to what you get.

Rather it is the reverse and it depends on your heart. Depending on the mature spiritual state of your heart, our Lord will hear your prayer. As the Psalmist says: "...a broken and contrite heart' is the starting point.

Naturally the number of elders does have a direct correlation to the spiritual state of the local Church.

As St. Seraphim of Sarov replied as to why there are not as many wonder-workers at the present time; he answered, "lack of fervour".

There is definitely no need to take a long and expensive airplane journey , unless 'spiritual tourism' attracts you.

Our Lords words are sincere:"...ask and you shall receive..."

[Gregorios Dunn]

"The Teacher will appear when the student is ready to learn." There are elders, maybe some even you do not know and they are near by.

[Fr Seraphim (Black)]

Actually I heard that saying in India on my pilgrimage down to Kerela and the Syrian Orthodox monastery where I was blessed to lay my head for sometime. I hope it is not absolute.

One day yet one year later I was working in the garden in Essex, England with Father Zosima, now Archimandrite Zacharias. We were toiling in the early November morning amongst the mist and clay adjacent to the hermitage of Blessed Father Sophrony. I remember clearly him taking a moment to rest and he spoke of what he termed "one of the greatest gifts of Orthodoxy to us". That being a Spiritual Father, Staretz, duhovnik, gerondas, however the ineffable word of each particular language encompasses the immeaurable blessing of an abba.

One thing is absolute: knock; cry; weep and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will most assuredly hear our heart filled lamentation. Fr. Zosima's beard was as long as it is now, but still he was only in his late twenties, and we even had hair on our heads! Even then my dear brother was venerable; but our good Lord hid it from him.

Yes, let us be at peace: as he was so fond of saying from the Psalmist: "...many are the tribulations of the righteous [though he refused to count himself amongst that group] - yet even so, dear Father Zosima was confident that "the Lord delievereth him out of them all."

How?

By the prayers and blessing of the Spiritual Father.

Let us be confident and our hearts' encouraged by the immense blessings of this radiant Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Saviour!



"The Teacher will appear when the student is ready to learn." There are elders, maybe some even you do not know and they are near by.