Sorsky Nil Saint

A starets (Russian: стáрец [ˈstarʲɪt͡s]; fem. Russian: ста́рица, romanized: staritsa) is an elder of an Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic monastery or convent who functions as venerated adviser and teacher. Elders or spiritual fathers are charismatic spiritual leaders whose wisdom stems from God as obtained from ascetic experience. It is believed that through ascetic struggle, prayer and hesychasm, the Holy Spirit bestows special gifts onto the elder including the ability to heal, prophesy, …