Patristic exegesis in the interpretation of the psalms by St. Ambrose of Optina

In this article, the author reveals the influence of patristic exegesis on the interpretation of the Psalms by St. Ambrose of Optina. Te sources of the exegesis of St. Ambrose are identified on the basis of footnotes that were made by the saint himself as well as by use of comparative methods. Te author is able to achieve considerable results by using materials from the Optina Hermitage archives. In 1864, Elder Ambrose received a manuscript of the Russian translation of the Commentary on the Psalms of Euthymius Zigabenus. Te author concludes that St. Ambrose’s scriptural interpretations are based on the works of well-known exegetes of the Christian East and on ascetic literature