Ηegumen / Abbot
He was born in Moscow to pious parents. He took monastic vows in the Simonov Monastery, where he earned the respect of the entire brotherhood and was distinguished by the father of the monks – the venerable Sergius. In 1390, the brotherhood of the Simonov monastery elected him as igumen, but he soon laid down the office and began to strive as a simple monk. By the guidance of the Mother of God, he withdrew to the shores of Lake Beloe, where he began a life of a hermit. In 1397, he built a church in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.
With the increase in the number of brethren, the venerable one established a communal rule, which he sanctified by the example of his life. Silence was observed in the church, and all followed the established order. The Lord rewarded him with the gift of foresight and healing. Once, when there was a lack of wine for the Divine Liturgy, he commanded to bring an empty vessel, which turned out to be full of wine. During a famine, he distributed bread to all in need, and the supplies did not run out. The venerable one calmed the storm on the lake.
He performed his last service on the day of the Holy Trinity. Having bequeathed to the brethren to keep love among themselves, he blessedly fell asleep at the age of 90 on June 9, 1427.
He loved spiritual enlightenment and instilled this love in his disciples. In the monastery, according to the inventory of 1635, there were more than two thousand books, among them 16 of the “miracle worker Cyril.” The three letters of the venerable one to the Russian princes that have come down to us are examples of spiritual mentorship and guidance.
