Saint Cyril of Chelma was born in the late 13th century, around 1286. At the age of 20, he left the world and settled in the Novgorod monastery of St. Anthony of Rome, where he took monastic vows. He spent six years in the monastery, then wandered through other monasteries for three years. In 1316, at the age of 30, he came to Mount Chelma, where he lived in solitude for 52 years. His life was marked by miracles, and many came to him for blessings, including pagans from the Chud tribe, who embraced Christianity.
In deep old age, at 82, he departed to the Lord on December 8, 1368. After his death, seekers of the desert life began to come to Chelma, and soon a community formed that built a church in honor of the Divine Knowledge of the Lord. The monastery quickly developed, and in 1419 a larger church was built in honor of the Divine Knowledge with an altar dedicated to Saint Catherine the Great Martyr.
Saint Cyril became renowned for many miracles. One of them occurred with Hieromonk German, who, being near death, saw the saint and received guidance from him. Other miracles included healings, apparitions of the saint, and protection of the monastery from fires and thefts. For example, in 1674, when a fire broke out, Hieromonk Macarius saw the apparition of Saint Cyril, who saved him.
Many miracles occurred even after his death, including the resurrection of children who died in an accident. Parents, praying to the saint, received healing for their children, which became a testament to his intercession before God.
