Saint Gerasim of Boldino, in the world Grigory, was born in 1490 in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. At the age of 13, he became a novice in the Goritsky Monastery, where he was tonsured with the name Gerasim. He diligently performed the feats of fasting and prayer, assisted the elder in the construction of churches and cells, and served the poor brethren with his craft as a shoemaker. After 26 years under the guidance of Saint Daniel, having received a blessing for hermitage, he settled in a wild forest near the city of Dorogobuzh.
The saint was subjected to attacks by robbers, but patiently endured the insults and prayed for his offenders. For sustenance, he hung a bag on a tree, into which passing people would place pieces of bread. Later, he had a guardian – a sparrow, which warned him of the approach of wicked people.
Gerasim moved to Boldino Hill, where he founded a monastery. The local inhabitants tried to expel him, but the overseer of Dorogobuzh, fearing the royal envoy, changed his attitude and began to support the saint. Saint Gerasim began to accept those wishing to undertake monastic feats, and a brotherhood gathered around him.
In 1528, he founded the monastery, and in 1530, he erected a church in honor of the Holy Trinity. In addition to the Boldino Monastery, he founded several other monasteries, including the monastery in honor of John the Baptist in Vyazma and an abbey in the Bryansk forest. Before his death, he gathered the igumens and monks, recounted his life, and gave his last instructions. Saint Gerasim reposed on May 1, 1554, at the age of 65.
He was buried in the Trinity Cathedral of the Boldino Monastery. In 1921, an exhumation was carried out, and his relics were extracted and placed in new coffins. However, soon doubts arose about the authenticity of the new burial. In 2001, new excavations began, during which the remains of Saint Gerasim were discovered and placed in a specially made coffin in the Vvedensky Church.
Metropolitan Kirill blessed July 20 as the date of the finding of his relics, which became a sign of God's favor.
