Venerable Hilarion of Pskov-Lake was a disciple of the Venerable Euphrosinus of Pskov and the founder of the Ozersky Pokrov Monastery in 1460 on the banks of the River Zhelchi, not far from Gdov. He led an ascetic life, feeding on herbs and roots, and remained in prayer and spiritual contemplation.
The Venerable Hilarion was known for his grace in discerning the passions of people and undertook the feat of pillar-dwelling, praying in a hollow of a tree. His life was spent in labor, prayer, abstinence, and love for God.
He reposed on March 28, 1476, and was buried near the northern doors of the iconostasis in the Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. Subsequently, a church was built in the monastery in honor of the Nativity of Christ, and the Pokrov Church became a parish church. In 1993, priest Evgeny Mikhailov renewed the services.
The island village of Ozera, where the Church of the Protection of the Theotokos is located, is a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians, where the holy relics of the Venerable are kept.
