Saint Nikon of Optina, born Nicholas Belyaev on September 26, 1888, was raised in a devout Moscow merchant family. As a child, he was blessed by Saint John of Kronstadt and grew deeply attached to the Church alongside his brother John. In 1907, the brothers were led by prayer to the Optina Monastery, where Nicholas became a devoted disciple and secretary to Elder Barsanuphius, who foresaw his spiritual greatness and future suffering. In 1915, Nicholas was tonsured with the name Nikon, ordained a deacon in 1916, and a priest in 1917—just as Elder Barsanuphius had predicted difficult times for monks. Arrested in 1919 for being a monk, he endured persecution under the Soviets and continued offering spiritual guidance even after the monastery’s closure.
Despite imprisonment, forced labor, exile, and illness, Saint Nikon remained a beacon of faith and consolation to many. He suffered greatly from tuberculosis while in exile yet continued to encourage his spiritual children through letters and visits. In his final days, he experienced mystical visions and received Holy Communion frequently. On June 25, 1931, he peacefully reposed at the age of forty-two. Saint Nikon was glorified with the Optina Elders by the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000.
Troparion — Tone 8
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy father Nikon, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!