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Fr. Anthony's retirement at Optina lasted for twelve years. When Fr. Moses reposed in May 1862, Fr. Anthony was stricken with grief. In 1863, Fr. Anthony went on a pilgrimage to venerate the [[relics]] of the newly-glorified St. [[Tikhon of Zadonsk]] and St. Metrophanes of Voronezh. He also visited several other monasteries. After returning to Optina, Fr. Anthony began to prepare for his departure from this world.
On [[March 9]], 1865, at the age of seventy, he received the Great Schema. On [[June 24]], 1865, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and the Skete's [[Feast day|Feast Day]], Igumen Anthony attended [[Divine Liturgy]] in the skete church for the last time. The Elder received [[Holy Unction]] on [[July 21]] and received Holy [[Communion]] every day thereafter. After Liturgy on [[August 6]], some of the brethren came to his cell to sing the [[troparion]] and [[kontakion]] for the [[Transfiguration]]. The next day he asked to be clothed in the full habit of a schemamonk. Due to his weakness, however, this could not be done. So, they placed the schema over him, which satisfied him. One of the spiritual Fathers of the monastery blessed him three times with a hand [[cross]]. The holy Schema-Igumen Anthony sighed three times, then departed to the Lord, [[August 7]], 1865.
The funeral took place on [[August 10]]. He was buried next to his brother, St. Moses, in the side [[altar]] of the monastery's [[cathedral]] (katholikon).