Ηegumen / Abbot
Saint Euphemius initially asceticized in the Spaso-Kamen Monastery on Lake Kuben. There are no records about his lineage and the time of his arrival at the monastery. He was a native of the Vologda land and, leaving the monastery out of love for solitude, settled in the wilderness near the mouth of the Kushta River. Here, surrounded by swamps and thickets, he built himself a cell and asceticized in fasting and prayer.
To him came the monk Alexander, who had left the Spaso-Kamen Monastery for the same reason. Saint Euphemius agreed to exchange places with him, leaving his cross as a blessing. Later, Chariton joined them, and other seekers also aspired to settle with them. Since there was no church in the vicinity, Euphemius decided to build a church in honor of the Ascension of the Lord and establish a monastery.
He labored in the establishment of his community until deep old age and, sensing his death, entrusted the management of the monastery to his disciple Chariton. Saint Euphemius reposed on April 11, 1509. His relics rest in the parish church of the Ascension of Euphemius in the Kadnikov district, which remains at the site of the abolished monastery. Local celebrations began after 1549 and continued until the establishment of the Holy Synod.
