Elder Ion of Odessa: biography, prophecy and interesting facts

The Odessa old man, skhiarhimandrite Iona, was known for his wonderful deeds at the Odessa Holy Dormition Monastery. And most recently he was seen off on his last journey. Therefore, it is very important to recall once again the glory of the messenger of God in a single small corner of the monastery, where he was able to help thousands of people from all over the world. Its visitors were both rich and poor, noble and simple people, young and old. Both believing people and atheists respected the one through whom the Lord himself spoke to them. In fact, because of our remoteness from the spiritual world, we can only perceive those who are deprived of negative qualities: anger, envy, whose heart is filled with selfless kindness and love. One of such messengers of God on this sinful earth was the perspicacious old man Iona of Odessa.

Biography

The worldly name of the spiritual father is Ignatenko Vladimir Afanasievich. He was born on October 10, 1925 in the Kirovograd region (Ukraine). Pelagia's mother gave birth to a boy at the age of 45. He was the ninth child in a modestly devout family. Father Athanasius named his son in honor of Prince Vladimir. Lived in that time is poor, but joyful. The farm had a horse and two cows, and even those who took power under the slogan of dekulakization. But in truth - because they openly believed in God and attended the liturgy in the church. At school, they taught that there was no god. But my mother told the children not to believe the atheists, and that in this world everything happens only by the grace of the Almighty. From childhood, kindness, love, decency and diligence were instilled in children in the family. "Prayer and work will all peretrut and without a god not to the threshold" - these words of the mother of Volodya were always in the heart.

Hard times

Power in the 30 years fiercely fought against believers in God. Temples were destroyed and closed, monks at best were sent to Siberia. But in order to understand God and his plan for each person, it is necessary to go through a series of difficult tests. Even in the very ancient Vedic writings about the Slavic peoples there is a section where it is written that from them the age of enlightenment on earth will begin, but the path to God will be revealed to them through suffering. Because of this mercy above in our countries, such chaos, atheism, vanity, deception and war. People are not given to understand the plan of God, but we can take the right path, only listening to his selfless servants. It is important to understand anyone, no matter what country he lives in, what body he received, or what religion he professes. God is merciful and constantly sends us his faithful helpers, so that they awaken in people the original inherent in them the state of eternal happiness and love. Many people think that the kingdom of God can be built here on earth.

Teachings of the Elder

But the old man Iona Odesa often said that there is a school here, and not a house, and everything here is perishable. The body and the place of residence are given to us for the duration of the training.

About the fall of Rus also mentioned the visionary elder. He said that in those days of the reign of the king people were arrogant with their elevated position. Monks forgot about the asceticism and acquisitions of the body for restraint, mired in pleasures. And God shed mercy, so that people do not wallow in farther in pride and not be lost in the fiery hyena after death. The power handed over to other forces, but when they bring people to a certain level of suffering, they have humility and patience. Then it is like God, and he returns again his best students from the links and from other places back to preaching.

God's revelation

Therefore, from the very childhood, the elder Iona of Odessa prayed and worked hard. He was waiting for his time to go out to people with a special mission. It's easy to die, but to live righteously is difficult. The Mother of God has always been the patroness of this amazing man. Once in his youth, working in the field until late at night, he fell asleep at the wheel of a tractor, on which he plowed the field. And suddenly, waking up, he saw a woman in front of him in the headlights. Sharply stopped, Father Jonah (then Vladimir) ran out of the tractor to see what happened, to find out who it was. But there was no one there, in the place where he saw the woman, there was a precipice. Then came the realization that it was the Mother of God herself.

Serious illness

Working hard in different industries, not even graduating from high school (only four classes), by the age of 40 Vladimir suffered from tuberculosis. I realized that the time has come to think about the soul, not just the body. And while in the hospital, seeing how many people suffer there and die, he vowed to the Lord that if he does not let him die, he will give his life to him and go to the monks.

He tonsured monks

So it happened. Upon learning that the monks live in the Caucasus, hermits, on foot directly from the hospital, Jonah went to those parts. Got mercy from associating with sublime personalities and chose a spiritual master - the Reverend Kuksha. Got dedication and monastic vows.

With the blessing and instruction of his teacher he went to Odessa, to the Holy Assumption Monastery. But he was not allowed to go there at once. Father Jonah did not despair and settled nearby in a dugout, which he dug. Prayingly and humbly waited for the opportunity. And now a man's strength in the monastery was needed, and he was taken to rough work. It was very difficult, it was necessary to withstand the test for humility and patience. But the priest Jonah went from novice to schiarchimandrite. It was only later that the confessors saw in this the fishing of the god. In December 1964, this world was left by the Reverend Kuksha, and the Lord in the same year sent his disciple to change. The actions of the Lord are amazing in the name of saving their children.

Interesting case

How to receive the ranks, belts and robes of a monk, we will not describe for the sake of the glory of the old man Jonah, who also did not like to focus on this. Even the rector from above (deceased father Sergius) once raised a scandal over the fact that supposedly the monks wear old, worn out cassocks. Father Jonah, humbly coming to the abbot for a blessing, bent down, wiped his hands (after repairing the tractor) about his new silk cassock, took the blessing and left. The rector, however, understood the lesson from above and accepted it with dignity too. No one else spoke about this, but ordered all the monks, including Iona, to present new cassocks as a present.

The Prophecies of Saint Jonah

The saintly priest, Jonah, was very fond of all. And it's not just flattering words, but heartfelt confirmation of everyone who has ever visited an old man. His sonorous divine voice has always inspired hope and faith in everyone. Humility and diligence inspired even those spiritual brothers who were higher in rank. Possessed the holy father and the gift of prophecy. It was the elder Iona Odessa who predicted the tragic events in Ukraine. He was visited by high spiritual clergy, ministers, presidents of countries, and ordinary people. Lines were being formed from the very morning or even from the evening, in order to receive the favor of the priest, Ion. He did not let go of anyone without a gift, blessing and anointing with holy oil, which he replenished while visiting the holy places. They invited him to stay in Athos, in the Lavra, in Jerusalem, but everywhere Jonah humbly asked for forgiveness and said that the Virgin asked me to stay in the Assumption Monastery. And how many wonderful stories people tell, who visited the Elder! Predictions of the elder Jonah of Odessa have always come true.

Missionary Activities

The Holy Father was very anxious about all parishioners. Some visitors who visited the monastery for a long time, the father remembered by name, even knew his relatives, gave instructions and certainly gave. In a small cell the priest slept on the floor, and on the bed lay books and gifts, which were replenished daily and immediately distributed. All gave away without a trace of St. Jonah - food, knowledge, books, icons, kindness, faith, anointed abundantly with sacred oil. And most importantly - enveloped in unlimited divine love. In the cold, standing in one cassock, gave God's blessing to all who came to him, he himself was already turned blue from the cold. He asked God to relieve the suffering of people who themselves can not change their lives. Of course, some of the sins are on the body of the supplicant. Because of this, such good personalities suffer badly. Father, bearing the ailments, never grumbled at fate, but joyfully met everyone and only gave good. It is impossible to describe all the deeds of Saint Jonah. He gave inspirational prophecies for all of Russia (that is, for all countries of the post-Soviet space). Something has already come true, something else will happen, but something will change. The prophecy of the elder Jonah of Odessa about the war was especially shocking. Everything came true exactly as he said.

After his death, a great confrontation began. In what direction will change - depends on the people themselves, their thoughts, actions. If everyone will pray and try hard to live by the laws, despite different languages, countries, religions, then on earth though not completely, but the kingdom of God will approach. And all people will live even happily here, but this time will not be long, so it's better to hurry to accept the instructions of holy personalities. After all, it is still not our home, and the Almighty wants us to be cleansed of useless and returned to his eternal abode of joy, love, happiness, where there is no suffering, disease and death.

Father Jonah left this mortal world at the age of 88 - December 18, 2012. He left prophecies about the future war and about the new righteous king. But it's important to understand that just sitting and waiting for change is stupid. We need to pray and work - these are the two wings that will lead us to God. So bequeathed to Saint Jonah us sinners. Odesa elder Ion Ignatenko considered everyone to be his brothers and sisters or children. His prediction of the spiritual world on earth will come true.