The Monk Martinian of Belozersk (Uncovering of Relics 1514)
Commemorated on October 7,January 12
The Monk Martinian
of Belozersk, in the world Michael, was born in the year 1370 in the
village of Berezniko, not far from the Kirillov monastery. At age thirteen he
left his parents and went secretly to the Monk Kirill of Belozersk (Comm. 9
June), about whom many had spoken of to him as being a great ascetic. The
youthful Martinian began zealously to imitate his teacher, with whom he dwelt
in complete obedience. At the monastery he studied reading and writing, and
with the blessing of the monk Kirill, he became occupied with the copying of
books. In time Martinian was ordained deacon and then priest-monk. After the
death of the monk Kirill (+ 1427) blessed Martinian withdrew for silence to a
deserted island, situated on Lake Vozha. Several monks gradually gathered
around him. The monk Martinian established for them a church of the
Transfiguration (Preobrazhenie) of the Lord and introduced a general ustav-rule
for the inhabitants. Yielding to the persistent requests of the brethren of
Ferapontov monastery, he consented to become hegumen of the monastery and
brought it into a brighter condition.
The monk Martinian
rendered spiritual support to great prince Vasilii Vasil'evich in the
difficulties of his time, when his first-cousin Dimitrii Shemyaka illicitly
pretended to the Moscow throne. He was always an advocate of truth and justice.
Afterwards, upon the entreaty of the great prince, the monk accepted upon
himself the governing of the monastery of the Monk Sergei of Radonezh.
In 1455 the monk
Martinian again returned to the Ferapontov monastery. The last years of his
life he was grievously ill and not able to walk, and the brethren carried him
to church. The monk died at age 85. His relics were uncovered in the year 1514
– and the commemoration of the uncovering is celebrated on 7 October.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
