The Venerable Nil of Sorsky, a great ascetic of the Russian Church, came from a family of boyars, the Maikovs. He received monasticism at the monastery of St. Kirill of Belozersky (June 9). Here he used the advice of the pious elder Paisius Yaroslavov, later abbot of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The monk traveled a lot in the East, studying monastic life in Palestine and Mount Athos. Returning to Rus', he retired to the Sora River in the Vologda land, set up a cell and a chapel, where a monastery soon arose with a new monastery charter for us at that time, borrowed by the Monk Nile on Athos. According to the behest of St. Nile, monks were to feed on the labor of their hands, accept alms only in extreme need, and avoid the love of things and luxury even in church; women were not allowed into the monastery, monks were not allowed to leave the monastery under any pretext, and ownership of estates was denied.
Having settled around a small church in honor of the Presentation of the Lord in the forest, in separate cells of one, two and no more than three people, the hermits, on the eve of Sundays and other holidays, gathered for a day for Divine services, and the all-night vigil, at which two or three readings from the patristic works were offered after each kathisma, lasted all night. On other days, everyone prayed and worked in their cell. The main feat of the monks was the struggle with their thoughts and passions, as a result of which peace is born in the soul, clarity in the mind, contrition and love in the heart. In his written works - “The Tradition of His Disciples Who Want to Live in the Wilderness” and “The Rule”, the Monk Neil sets out in detail the steps of this saving mental work. The first step is renunciation of the world, in particular, all worldly entertainment; the second is unceasing prayer, accompanied by the memory of death. In his life, the holy ascetic was distinguished by extreme non-acquisitiveness and hard work. He himself dug a pond and a well, the water of which had healing powers.
For the holiness of Elder Nile's life, the Russian hierarchs of his day deeply revered him. The monk participated in the Councils of 1490 and 1503. Avoiding the honors and glory of this world, before his death he commanded his disciples to throw his body to be devoured by animals and birds or to bury him without any honors at the site of his feat. The saint died at the age of 76 on May 7, 1508. His relics, buried in the monastery he founded, became famous for many miracles. The Russian Church canonized him as a saint.
*Published in Russian:
Tradition by his disciples about living in the monastery // Life and Writings of the Holy Fathers. T.I.M.: Publishing house. Kozelskaya Vvedenskaya Optina Hermitage. 1849.
Reverend Nil of Sorsky, the founder of the monastery life in Russia and his charter about the monastery life translated into Russian. With the attachment of all his other writings extracted from the manuscripts. St. Petersburg, 1864.*
12
St. Akaki Kavsokalivit († 1730, commemorated April 12)
The Monk Akaki the New took monastic vows at the Holy Trinity Monastery of Saint Dionysius of Olympia (January 24) in Zagori. On the first night after his tonsure, Akaki received a Divine vision. So, it seemed to him as if he was holding a burning lamp that was pouring light into a distant space; this vision meant his future virtuous life, which would be a light and example for zealots seeking a saving path.
Having retired to Holy Mount Athos, the monk, on the advice of his confessor, Father Galaktion, settled in the monastery of St. Maximus of Kavsokalivsky (see his Life on January 13), who appeared to the ascetic many times. The exploits of the Monk Akaki were extremely severe: instead of bread, he ate dried herbs mixed with crushed marble.
Meanwhile, the fame of his contemplative life spread to a distant place, and despite his complete departure, many still came to him for advice, and others, having received instruction from him, did not want to return back, but built cells for themselves near his cave and remained his students, devoting themselves to his leadership.
One day, the Monk Akaki, performing his rule, fell into a frenzy: he saw a luminous man, who, taking him by the hand, led him to a vast field, on which there were many beautiful buildings, but without inhabitants in them. Surprised by this, the monk asked this husband: “Why are all those such beautiful buildings empty and for whom are they prepared? “These wonderful buildings,” answered the luminous man, are prepared for those Christians who pay taxes and other duties to the Turks, and at the same time endure their slavery with gratitude to Christ God, who arranges everything for good.” When the vision ended, the monk called his disciples and told them: “If you have money, then go and pay tribute to the Turks, so that we too can share with those servants of God who pay their duties,” and he told them his vision.
The Monk Akaki had reverence for all the saints, and especially for the Monk Maximus Kavsokalivit, who, he said, repeatedly honored him with his appearance. And when the enemy made him despondent, he called on this saint for help and felt his gracious intercession. The Monk Maximus usually appeared to him in priestly vestments, illuminated by heavenly glory and accompanied by an immense multitude of monks, illuminated by the heavenly light.
In addition to those Divine consolations that the Lord sent through revelations to His saint, he was honored to receive from the sweetest Jesus Christ the gift of clairvoyance: he predicted to many what was about to happen to them, and revealed their heartfelt secrets. The very appearance of the monk had a wondrous effect on those suffering from thoughts. One had only to look at his face to pacify the heart and feelings! He constantly carried the name of Jesus in his heart; when he happened to pronounce it with his lips, a flame always emanated from his lips, which one pious confessor, Hieromonk Sylvester, was repeatedly privileged to see.
Shining with such a holy life, the Monk Akakios was honored to prepare for the martyrdom for confessing the name of Jesus Christ, in addition to the Monk Martyr Romanus and another martyr - Nicodemus, blessing whom for his suffering feat, he handed him his rod, saying: “Go with God, child, on the path you have chosen, here is my rod to help you.”113.
Over time, the number of disciples of the Monk Akaki increased more and more, who built cells for themselves, and thus the monastery (Kavsokalivsky) was formed, which, through the prayers and intercession of the monk, multiplied and flourishes to this day. And since there was no water in that place, the monk, wanting the brethren not to grieve and murmur from the lack of it, one day went out into the middle of the monastery and, after fervent prayer, ordered one brother, named Timothy, to dig in the place indicated to him. When Timofey began to dig the ground, suddenly, to the surprise of everyone, water appeared from that place, very pleasant and healthy, and in such abundance that it was enough not only for the needs of the brethren, but even for the construction of a mill.
When asked how long a monk should sleep, the monk answered that half an hour was enough for a true monk, and he himself, despite his old age and illness, set an example in this.
The Monk Akaki was illiterate, but, having a pure mind and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, he knew the Holy Scripture thoroughly and sometimes solved very difficult questions and knew deep secrets.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem Chrysanthos, during a visit to the Holy Mountain, hearing about the lofty life of the Monk Akakios, as well as the fact that, being illiterate, he understood the lofty concepts and sacraments of Holy Scripture, he wished to see this great man enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and having heard from the lips of the monk what he had heard a lot about, the patriarch glorified God, who makes His own wise to the shame of the wise of this world. And when he returned from him, he told everyone everywhere that he had been honored to see the lamp of faith and to hear the deep secrets of Holy Scripture from the new Elijah and John the Baptist.
About the contemplative life of the Monk Akaki, his disciple, Hieromonk Jonah, says this: