Archimandrite
Saint Abraham was the son of pious parents. From a young age, he left his parental home and worldly vanity, accepted monasticism, and dedicated himself to God.
Having subdued the flesh to the spirit, he exhausted himself with ascetic practices, purified his soul with tears, and was granted the grace of miracle-working.
In his time, not all in Rostov had yet accepted holy baptism, and many remained pagans. Saint Abraham was fervently zealous to eradicate the remnants of paganism. He prayed to the Lord for the strength to crush the idol Veles, but his prayer was not answered for a long time.
One day, sitting in sorrow near the idol, he met a beautiful elder who told him that if he wanted to receive what he desired, he should go to Constantinople and pray before the icon of Saint John the Theologian. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Abraham set out on his journey.
On the way, he encountered an unknown man who gave him a staff and told him to strike the idol of Veles in the name of John the Theologian. Abraham returned and struck the idol, which turned to dust.
At the place where Abraham met the elder, he built a church in the name of John the Theologian, and at the site of the idol of Veles, he constructed a church in the name of the Theophany of the Lord and gathered monks.
He suffered much evil from the unbelieving pagans, but through his teaching and patience, he brought everyone to Christ. All were baptized and began to attend the glorification of God.
The saint built a large church and adorned it with wonderful icons. The Rostov princes, respecting him, granted the monastery much property and villages.
The Bishop of Rostov elevated the Abraham Monastery to the rank of archimandrite, and Abraham was appointed as archimandrite. From that time on, he began to strive even more diligently, distinguished by humility and love for all.
The devil did not leave him in peace, but Abraham, shielded by the grace of Christ, was not afraid. One day, while he was praying, the devil entered the washbasin, but Abraham, making the sign of the cross, cast him out.
The princes, coming to him, noticed a vessel with a cross, and one of them removed the cross, as a result of which the demon came out of the vessel. The saint, knowing about the incident, said nothing to the princes but only blessed them.
Later, the demon, taking the form of a warrior, brought heavy accusations against Abraham before the Grand Prince. The prince, enraged, sent for Abraham, who was brought in a shameful manner. However, when the demon appeared and confessed his evil deeds, the prince, seeing Abraham's humility, repented and asked for forgiveness.
Saint Abraham lived in the monastery in great humility and departed to the Lord, whom he loved from his youth.
