Saint Cyril of Belozersk

Life

Born and raised in Moscow in a noble house. He was tonsured in the Simonov Monastery, where he struggled ascetically to the wonder of all the other monks. In order to conceal his virtue, he pretended to be a fool for Christ. He conversed personally with Saint Sergius of Radonezh, from whom he received many profitable teachings. Against his will he was elected abbot of that monastery. But he constantly prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos to show him the way where he might struggle in silence. One night he saw a great light and heard a voice: "Cyril, depart from here and go to the White Lake!" And he indeed departed from the Simonov Monastery with a companion, went to the region of the White Lake, and there, in a dense pine forest, began his ascetical struggle. In time that wilderness was transformed into a great monastery. The Venerable Cyril received from God a great gift of wonderworking, healing the sick and performing many other miracles. He departed this life in the year 1429 in the ninetieth year of his life, and went to the Lord, Whom he had loved with fervent love his whole life.