Saint Diodore of Yuriev-Polsky (Damian) was born in the village of Turchasovo on the Onega River. His parents, Hierophilus and Maria, named him Diomedes. As a fifteen-year-old youth, he went on a pilgrimage to the Solovetsky Monastery and remained there as a novice. Here, at the age of 19, he took monastic vows from the abbot Anthony, lived with hermits on deserted islands, and then withdrew to Lake Vodlozero. He lived there for seven years in asceticism with his disciple Prochorus. Deciding to establish a monastery in honor of the Holy Trinity on Yuriev Hill, the saint went to Moscow, where he received permission from Tsar Michael Fyodorovich (1613–1645) and funds for the construction of the monastery from the tsar's mother, the nun Marfa. Shortly before his death, Saint Diodore had to travel to Kargopol for the affairs of the monastery. Bidding farewell to the brethren, he predicted his imminent death. He passed away and was buried in Kargopol († November 27, 1633). Two years later, his incorrupt body was transferred to the Trinity Monastery and buried on the southern side of the cathedral church. The memory of Saint Diodore is celebrated on November 20, as the feast coincides with the celebration of the Mother of God in honor of Her icon of the Sign.
