By: Jude Namee

Introduction to our New Series: The Parents of Saints

Saints come from many backgrounds. Sanctity is not reserved for the children of kings or those with easy backgrounds. Holiness is the one life aspiration open to all. 

Good parenting does matter, however. The knowledge that parenting can be a pathway to sanctify should encourage, not discourage us. As we pray for Christ’s mercy daily, we can hope that joys and sorrows of parenting can lead to our salvation. A good and happy childhood is a wonderful gift to a child, but growing up in a sanctified childhood is a remarkable heritage. Saintly parents oft produce saints. 

Saint Constantine College is happy to publish this series of articles by Jude Namee on the parents of saints. These articles are written by a young person reflecting on one of the many paths the good God has given us to Paradise. I commend these to you as a thoughtful start to many hours of possible meditation. May we read these and be encouraged in our parenting if we are parents, or in our prayers for our parents if we are still young. We ask for the intercession of these saintly parents!

JMNR

St. Barsanuphius of Optina

        St. Barsanuphius’ father came from a rich and generous family who gave much of their money to the Church. He was a faithful and observant man who cultivated in his son a desire for sainthood by reading to him the Lives of the Saints. He taught his son many necessary things about the fundamental aspects of Orthodoxy, such as the importance of praying for one’s parents, and how God preserves from evil those who love Him. All of these teachings planted in the young boy a desire to become a monk.

            Nothing is known about St. Barsanuphius’ mother, as she died when he was born. However, the woman who became his stepmother filled his biological mother’s shoes perfectly. She was amazingly pious and discerning, and worked with her husband to bring their son up in the Orthodox Faith. She and St. Barsanuphius would go to church as often as possible to receive Holy Communion, and when no service was being held, she would teach him to pray Canons and Akathists.

            As a young boy, St. Barsanuphius deeply admired one girl from his school. His stepmother noticed this, and instructed him to invite her to their house so they could get acquainted. After the girl had gone home, Barsanuphius’ mother told him that this girl wasn’t suitable for him. As most boys would, he took this rather badly – but in his grief he was still obedient. His stepmother had two purposes in this: one, to separate them; and two, to witness his reaction. But he humbled himself and never questioned her. Later, he found out that the girl was, indeed, not suitable for him; his stepmother had saved him from an unhealthy relationship.

            His stepmother forced him to socialize with girls when he was an army officer, so that he could be aware of the options he had in life (either becoming a monk or getting married). The frivolousness he experienced in their talk made him decide to forego marriage and become a monk instead. This was ultimately what his stepmother had prayed for, and she was willing and joyful that he do so.