Venerable Anthony (in the world Alexander Ivanovich Putilov) was born on March 9, 1795, in the city of Borisoglebsk, Yaroslavl Province. His parents, Ivan Grigorievich and Anna Ivanovna Putilov, were pious and God-fearing people who raised their children in the fear of God and the spirit of strict Orthodoxy. In childhood and youth, Alexander was quiet and modest, feeling a calling to monastic life from an early age.
In 1812, during the French invasion, Alexander found himself in Moscow and suffered greatly. He fled to Rostov to his relatives and then went to the Roslavl forests, where his elder brother Timothy, the future igumen of Optina Monastery, Venerable Moses, had already been living for five years. On February 2, 1820, Alexander was clothed in the Angelic habit and named Anthony. On June 3, 1821, he, along with Venerable Moses, went to Optina Monastery to establish a secluded skete.
The place was chosen in a dense forest, and the hermits built a small cell and a church in honor of St. John the Forerunner of the Lord. In 1825, after Venerable Moses was appointed as the abbot of Optina Monastery, Venerable Anthony was appointed as the head of the skete. Soon, alongside his virtuous labors, he was also afflicted by a serious illness.
In December 1839, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Kaluga, unexpectedly appointed him as the igumen of the Chernoostrov Monastery. Managing the monastery in a state of illness, Venerable Anthony laid a solid foundation for its organization. He traveled to Moscow on monastery matters, where he received archpastoral blessings. Seeing his deteriorating health, the hierarch interceded for his release from the burdensome obedience, and Venerable Anthony returned to Optina Monastery.
In strict asceticism, Venerable Anthony continued his life despite the worsening illness. His spiritual gifts attracted many visitors who wished to receive blessings and spiritual edification. On March 9, 1865, on the day of his 70th birthday, he received the great schema.
In July, his terminal illness worsened. Venerable Anthony blessed everyone with icons, saying: “Receive from the dying one for eternal remembrance.” He constantly partook of the Holy Mysteries and remained in unceasing prayer. On August 7/20, 1865, on the last day of his life, he called the abbot for a blessing. After receiving the blessing, Venerable Anthony peacefully surrendered his soul into the hands of God.
