A Poustinik

To Pray To Listen To Serve

A Poustinik is one who has been called by God to live their life in the desert (Poustinia), alone with God in the service of humanity through prayer, fasting and availability to those who might call upon him or her. 

Those called to life in the poustinia were not uncommon in Russia prior to the suppression of the Church in the early 20th century. In this Eastern Christian expression of the eremitic vocation the poustinik is not a solitary, but is a part of the local community to which they are called. 

The poustinik is a servant of God and God's people in communion with the Church. Historically one who experienced the call to the poustinia had first after securing the blessing of their spiritual director, to find a village. He generally did this through pilgrimage and prayer. 

The poustinik was not a hermit. With the help of the villagers, he would build a little hut outside the village and was still very much a part of the village. He lived alone, praying for his own salvation, for the world and especially for the people of the village. Prayer was his primary bond with all people.

The poustinik lives alone praying for his own salvation, the salvation of the world, and particularly for the community that God has blessed him with.

The poustinik welcomed everyone with the words, “Come and share what God in his goodness has given to me.” This meant, first of all, that the poustinik listened. He shared with his guests the silent acceptance he himself received from God in the solitude of the poustinia. It also meant that he would share a cup of tea, bread, or whatever he had. And it meant that, according to the need of his visitor, the poustinik would share what he himself had learned from God in his life of prayer, because the poustinik was always one who listened to God, as well as one who was aware of God listening to him. 

Traditionally, the poustinik was also available to the people. When there were special needs, such as a fire to fight or hay to bring in, the poustinik would help and whenever anyone had something they wanted to talk about—a question about prayer, a problem, a special joy or sorrow—they could go to the poustinik.

The poustinik is one who listens and shares the love of Christ with all whom he encounters, as well as a cup of tea or some food; whatever he has he shares, as God has shared all with him. 

If you have any questions about what a Poustinik is or interested in this lifestyle feel free to drop me line I will only be to happy to help.