Nikon of Optinsky is a clergyman of the Russian Orthodox Church, hieromonk. The closest disciple of the elder Barsanuphius, an ardent prayer book and a loving shepherd, who selflessly performed the elder services after the closure of the Optina Hermitage, suffered torment from the atheists and died in exile as a confessor. The venerable Nikon of Optina owns such wonderful patristic works: “Testament to Spiritual Children”, “Diary of the Last Elder of the Optina Hermitage” and “I Cast My Hope on the Lord.”