The Monk Lavrentii of Komel'sk

Commemorated on May 16

      The Monk Lavrentii of Komel'sk was a student of the Monk Kornilii of Komel'sk. In the year 1538, on the suggestion of the Monk Kornilii, he was unanimously chosen by the brethren as hegumen of the monastery, and he made use of the spiritual counsels and guidances of his teacher. One time learning about the approach of Tatars towards the monastery, and on the advice of the Monk Kornilii, Hegumen Lavrentii led away all the brethren to a safe place, and later when the danger had diminished, the monks returned to the monastery. Over the course of ten years, and upon the repose of his teacher, the Monk Lavrentii guided the holy monastery, constantly concerning himself over its welfare. Seeing the zeal and the love for the Lord in Saint Lavrentii as head of the Korniliev monastery, the starets-elder Aleksei transferred under the Korniliev monastery in 1547 the Koptevo wilderness-monastery, which he directed. Amidst his many cares the Monk Lavrentii did not forsake his beloved craft – the copying of books. The Monk Lavrentii reposed to the Lord on 16 May 1548.

© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.