Blessed Arsenius, coming from Great Novgorod, left the world for a life of silence and took monastic vows in the monastery on Lisya Gora. He aspired to visit the Holy Mountain Athos and, having received the blessing of the abbot, reached it, where he worked with humility and obedience, forging copper vessels for the monasteries. After three years on Athos, he returned to his homeland to establish a monastery in honor of the Mother of God. Archbishop John blessed him for this endeavor, and Arsenius founded the Konevsky Monastery, driving away the wicked spirits from there.
After establishing the monastery, he visited Athos again, where, through the prayers of Elder Joakim, the Mother of God appeared to him and foretold that Arsenius would bring an abundance of food to the brethren. Arsenius indeed returned with supplies, and, having completed his labors, he departed to the Lord on June 12, 1447, on the feast day of the Venerable Onuphrius and Peter of Athos.
