Archimandrite
Venerable Abraham (Avramiy), known in the world as Averkly, lived in the late 10th and early 11th century. He was born in the Galich lands, in the town of Chukhloma, into a pagan family. From birth until the age of eighteen he was paralyzed and could not walk, but after learning about the Lord Jesus Christ from traveling merchants, he believed and was healed at once. From his youth he left his parents’ home and worldly bustle, embraced the monastic life, and dedicated himself to God. Subduing the flesh to the spirit, he wore himself out with ascetic labors, cleansed his soul with tears, and was granted the grace of working miracles.
In his time not everyone in Rostov had yet accepted holy Baptism, and many remained pagans. Venerable Avramiy burned with zeal to uproot the remnants of paganism. He prayed to the Lord to grant him the strength to smash the idol Veles, but for a long time his prayer was not answered. Once, as he sat in sorrow near the idol, he met a venerable elder who told him that if he wished to receive what he sought, he should go to Tsargrad and pray before the icon of Saint John the Theologian. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Avramiy set out on the journey.
On the way he met an unknown man who gave him a staff and told him to strike the idol Veles in the name of John the Theologian. Avramiy returned, struck the idol, and it turned to dust. On the place where Avramiy had met the elder he built a church in honor of Saint John the Theologian, and on the site of the idol Veles he erected a church in honor of the Theophany of the Lord and gathered monks.
He suffered much evil from unbelieving pagans, but through his teaching and patience he brought everyone to Christ. All were baptized and began to come to the praise of God.
The venerable one built a large church and adorned it with wondrous icons. The princes of Rostov, honoring him, granted the monastery much property and villages. The bishop of Rostov raised the Avramiy Monastery to the rank of an archimandrite monastery and appointed Avramiy as archimandrite. From that time he labored even more fervently, distinguished by humility and love for all.
Venerable Avramiy lived in the monastery in great humility and departed to the Lord whom he had loved from his youth.
