St. Theodore of Sanaksar, in the world Ivan Ignatievich Ushakov, was born in 1718 in the village of Burnakovo, Yaroslavl Province. At the age of 20, he left military service and became a hermit, striving in the forests along the banks of the Dvina and in the Ploshchanskaya desert. After six years of trials, he was brought back to St. Petersburg, where he was tonsured a monk with the name Theodore in 1748.
In 1757, he traveled to the Sarov Monastery, where he founded a community and became its abbot. St. Theodore strictly observed the rule, dedicating much time to the services and spiritual guidance of the brethren. He revived the Sanaksar Monastery, where he was ordained a hieromonk in 1762.
In 1774, due to a false denunciation, he was exiled to the Solovetsky Monastery, where he spent nine years in strict confinement. After the intercession of Metropolitan Gabriel and the decree of Catherine II, he returned to the Sanaksar Monastery, where he continued to serve God diligently. St. Theodore reposed on February 19, 1791, and his body did not emit the odor of decay.
The memory of St. Theodore of Sanaksar is celebrated on February 19 (Old Style) and April 21 (May 4 New Style) on the day of the discovery of his relics.
