Barlaam of Khutyn
Barlaam of Khutyn | |
|---|---|
 Icon of Barlaam, 16th century | |
| Venerable | |
| Died | 6 November 1192/1193 Khutyn |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Russian Greek Catholic Church |
| Feast | 6 November |
Barlaam or Varlaam of Khutyn (Russian: Варлаам Хутынский; secular name: Aleksa or Aleksy;[1] died 13 November [O.S. 6 November] 1192/1193)[2] was a Russian Orthodox hegumen and saint who founded the Khutyn Monastery.
Life
He was born into a wealthy family from Novgorod.[1] After the death of his parents, he became a hermit on the Volkhov and handed all of his inheritance to the poor.[1] He went to live in solitary at Khutyn, where he built a wooden chapel.[1] At this time, he had gained many followers as his reputation for holiness was spreading.[2] So great were their numbers that he founded a monastery, the Khutyn Monastery, which was dedicated to Christ's transfiguration.[1] He also took the name of Barlaam (Varlaam), and among the benefactors of the monastery was Yaroslav, the prince of Novgorod.[2] Barlaam died on 6 November 1192 or 1193, and his grave became a site for pilgrimage.[3][2] Prior to his death, he had nominated a monk by the name of Antony to succeed him.[2] Barlaam's relics were enshrined in 1452 and the Serbian monk Pachomius wrote about his life.[2] He is commemorated in Russian liturgy when bread and wine is being prepared.[2]
References
Bibliography
- . Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary (in русский). 1906.
- Butler, Alban; Burns, Paul (1 January 1995). Butler's Lives of the Saints. A&C Black. pp. 47–48. ISBN 978-0-86012-260-9.
