Saint Evarest, originally from the Galatian diocese of Asia Minor, was the son of noble parents. His lifetime coincided with the reign of Emperor Leo, a persecutor of icon veneration, and his successor Michael, who also showed hostility towards Orthodoxy. From a young age, Evarest aspired to live according to Divine commandments and made the decision to embrace monasticism.
After a trip to Constantinople with his father, he was received by his relative, the patrician Vriennos. Soon, Evarest was appointed as an ambassador to the Bulgarians and, while in Skopje, received the rank of presbyter. He took monastic vows, dedicating himself to ascetic feats, following the teachings of Saint Ephrem the Syrian.
Evarest lived in the Studite monastery, where he demonstrated a virtuous life, subsisting on only a small piece of bread and consuming cooked food once a week. He wore heavy iron chains and sought perfection in his spiritual life. After living piously for seventy-five years, he surrendered his spirit to the Lord and was buried in the Kokkorov Monastery.
