The Monk Irodion of Iloezersk and Novgorod
Commemorated on September 28
The Monk Irodion
of Iloezersk and Novgorod, was a disciple of the Monk Kornilii of Komel'sk
(+ 19 May 1537). After the death of his preceptor, he settled at Iloezersk –
20 kilometers from Belozersk, and there on a peninsula he built himself a cell
and established a church in honour of the Nativity of the MostHoly Mother of
God, marking the beginning of the Iloezersk Ozadsk monastery. The monk was
strict at fasting, he spent the nights at prayer and every Saturday he communed
the Holy Mysteries. An Angel announced to the monk about the proximity of his
end. He died a schema-monk on 28 September 1541 and was buried in the chapel
built by him.
The first icon of the
Monk Irodion was written after his appearance to a certain Sophonii. Sophonii,
impiously having thrust his staff in at the grave of the monk, was struck
blind, but by prayer to the saint he received back his sight.
A Short Life of the
Monk Irodion was written by the archimandrite Mitrophan of Belozersk monastery,
who in 1653, with the blessing of the Novgorod metropolitan (afterwards
patriarch) Nikon, witnessed to a miracle worked from the relics of the Monk
Irodion. There was then established a celebration to his memory. At the place
of the chapel of the Monk Irodion was erected a church in honour of the
Nativity of the MostHoly Mother of God together with a chapel in the name of
the Monk Irodion of Iloezersk.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.