Hieromonk
Saint Anthony of Sii, in the world Andrew, was born into the family of a wealthy farmer in the village of Kehkta near the Northern Dvina. Having received a good upbringing and studied icon painting, after the death of his parents, he went to Novgorod, where he served a nobleman. After marrying and being widowed for a year, he decided to dedicate himself to monasticism, distributing his possessions to the poor. He came to the Pakhomiev desert, where he was tonsured with the name Anthony and soon became an hieromonk, performing divine services. Out of love for solitude, he left the desert and, choosing two companions, settled on Mikhailov Island, where in 1520 he built a chapel. Despite the difficulties, the monastery became well-known, and it was visited by the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. Later, retreating to a more secluded place on Lake Palun, he spent three years there. Upon returning at the request of the brotherhood, he managed the Sii Monastery until his death in 1556 at the age of 79.
