Venerable Anatoly (in the world Alexey Moiseevich Zertsalo) was born on March 24, 1824, in the family of a deacon in the village of Bobyly, Kaluga province. His parents raised their son in strictness and piety, hoping that he would choose the path of serving God.
After graduating from the Kaluga Spiritual Seminary, Alexey entered service in the Treasury Chamber, but soon fell seriously ill. He made a vow: if the Lord healed him, he would accept monastic tonsure.
The Lord granted him life, and in July 1853, having received his parents' blessing, he came to Optina Monastery. Elder Macarius blessed his mother, saying that she had sent her son on a good path. Venerable Elder Macarius began to guide the spiritual life of the young novice.
On November 17, 1862, Brother Alexey was tonsured into the mantle with the name Anatoly. From the first years of life in the monastery, he worked for the benefit of others, working in the kitchen and having no time even for sleep.
In 1870, Venerable Anatoly was ordained to the rank of hieromonk, and the following year he was appointed to the abbacy of the Spaso-Orlovsky Monastery, but he refused this appointment, remaining in Optina Monastery.
From 1874, he took the position of skete leader and the care of the newly established Shamordinskaya Women’s Monastery. Venerable Anatoly had a merciful character and cared for the sisters, teaching them the rule of worship and prayer.
He possessed the gift of foresight and spiritual discernment, was able to comfort grieving souls and warn of impending trials. The death of Elder Ambrose in 1891 had a heavy impact on the health of his disciple.
Venerable Anatoly began to fade away, humbly enduring illness. On December 15, 1893, he secretly accepted the schema. On January 25/February 7, 1894, he quietly passed away during the reading of the departure prayer and was buried by the walls of the Vvedensky Cathedral next to his beloved teachers.
