The Monk Gennadii of Kostroma and Liubimograd Commemorated on January 23 The Monk Gennadii
of Kostroma and Liubimograd, in the world Grigorii, was born in the city of
Mogilev into a rich family. He early displayed love for the church, and his
frequent visits to monasteries evoked the dismay of his parents. Grigorii
himself was himself however firmly resolved to devote himself to God, and
having changed over into tattered clothing, he secretly left his parental home
and journeyed to Moscow. Having visited the Moscow holy places, he did not
however here find it suitable in spirit and so set out to the Novgorod region.
The destiny of the future ascetic was decided by an encounter with the Monk
Alexander Svirsky (Comm. 30 August). With his blessing, Grigorii set off to the
Vologda forest to the Monk Kornilii of Komel'sk (Comm. 19 May), and was
monasticised by him with the name Gennadii. Together with Saint Kornilii,
Gennadii moved on to the Kostroma forest. Here, on the shores of Lake Sura, in
about the year 1529, there emerged the monastery of the Transfiguration of the
Lord, afterwards called "the Gennadiev monastery". Having become
hegumen, the Monk Gennadii did not slacken his monastic efforts, and together
with the brethren he went out to the monastery tasks: he chopped wood, carried
firewood, made candles and baked prosphora. A beloved concern of the monk was
the writing of icons, with he adorned his new monastery. He wore heavy chains
constantly. © 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos. |
|
|
|