Venerable Cornelius of Paleostrov, Olonets

Commemorated on August 21.

Soon news of the devout life of Saint Cornelius spread throughout the region, and despite the island's seclusion, numerous visitors began to come to him, seeking his spiritual help and guidance. Some of them asked the holy ascetic to allow them to settle on the island to live an eremitic life. Saint Cornelius accepted them gladly, and helped them to build cells; and then they built a church in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos and a trapeza church in honor of the Holy Prophet Elijah. This was the beginning of Paleostrov Monastery.

Not neglecting his duties to manage the Monastery he established, the God-pleaser often withdrew to pray in a secluded cave located on the same island at the foot of a mountain. The prayerful struggle (podvig) of Saint Cornelius was exacerbated by wearing heavy iron chains, and by his severe fasting. Once, during evening prayers, the holy Igoumen had a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who appeared to him with a cross in His hands and blessed both him and the Monastery. Comforted by such a sweet vision, Saint Cornelius left his beloved disciple Saint Abraham (August 21) as Igoumen of the Monastery, while he retired to his hermitage in the cave, where he remained until his death.

Saint Cornelius reposed around 1420 at an advanced age and was buried in the place of his solitary ascetical contests. During the lifetime of the holy Igoumen Abraham (who reposed in the second half of the XV century), the Lord glorified the body of the Monastery's first founder, Saint Cornelius, with incorruption. Saint Abraham and the brethren solemnly transferred the revered relics of their teacher from the cave and placed them under the floor of the cathedral church dedicated to the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. Saint Abraham was also glorified by his ascetical life, and was buried in the Paleostrov Monastery beside his Elder.