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Commemorated on April 11
The Monk Evphymii
and his disciple the Monk Khariton asceticised at the River Syanzhema
during the close of the XV to the beginning XVI Centuries. The Monk Evphymii
came to the Spasokamensk monastery from the Volokolamsk outskirts. For a long
time he continued as a novice-obedient at the monastery, but later he settled
on the eastern shore of Lake Kuben near the mouth of the River Kushta. Amidst
the impenetrable swamps and dense woods there, the saint built himself a small
cell, wherein he asceticised in total solitude. After a certain while there
came to him the Monk Alexander of Kushtsk (+ 1439, Comm. 9 June), who also had
set out from the Spasokamensk monastery and at first settled at the River
Syanzhema. The Monk Alexander besought the Monk Evphymii to switch cells with
him, since he was seeking a place of complete quiet.
Transferring himself
over to the River Syanzhema, the Monk Evphymii did not refuse the local people
his spiritual counsel and guidance. And there too the Monk Khariton came to
him.
The Monk Evphymii
built a church in honour of the Ascension of Christ and made next it a
monastery. At Rostov, under Sainted Archbishop Dionysii (1418-1425), he
received the permission to build, and evidently, he also received there the
priestly dignity and was made hegumen of the monastery started by him.
Both monks were an
example to the brethren in prayer, and in the works of construction and
supervision. They made do with such food and clothing, as even the brethren
reckoned worthless. In temple the Monk Evphymii stood in fear and trembling,
and the brethren often saw upon his face tears of tenderness. Working at
hand-crafts, the monk always sang psalms. The Monk Evphymii died in about the
year 1465, though the actual day of his death is unknown.
His successor as
hegumen was his beloved disciple – the Monk Khariton. For more than 40 years
he continued the work at the monastery, and he died in old age on 11 April
1509. Both monks were buried at the Ascension church. The memory of the Monk
Evphymii is celebrated also on 20 January, and that of the Monk Khariton on
28 September, on the days of their saints-names in common.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
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