Memory of Saint Sophrony the Athonite

Today, we honor a new Saint, whose sanctity was recognized and proclaimed by the conscience of the faithful of the Church: Saint Sophrony the Athonite, Abbot of the Monastery of the Honorable Forerunner in Essex, Great Britain.

Saint Elder Sophrony was born in Moscow to Orthodox Christian parents on September 22, 1896. His secular name was Sergei. He was the second of ten siblings in his family. From early childhood, he displayed a rare gift for prayer. As a young man, he was already capable of responding to theological questions that had long puzzled scholars. Thus, he developed an early and intense desire to penetrate the heart of Orthodox theology.

He studied at the State School of Fine Arts in Moscow, where he demonstrated a particular talent for painting. During this period, he also developed an interest in Buddhism and Indian philosophy more broadly. This intellectual journey altered the course of his inner life. As a young man, he lived through World War I and the October Revolution of 1917–1918. These events led him to the belief that the very existence of humanity was the root cause of its suffering. He wrestled daily with the mysteries of life.

As a painter, it was…