Ηegumen / Abbot
Saint Cornelius of Pskovo-Pechersk (1501–1570) was born in Pskov into a noble family. From an early age, he showed a tendency towards spiritual life, which led him to study at the Pskov Mirazh Monastery. After completing his studies, he took monastic vows at the Pskovo-Pechersk Monastery, where he led a strict life, dedicating his time to prayer and labor.
In 1529, he was elected as the igumen, under whom the number of brethren increased from 15 to 200. Saint Cornelius actively spread Orthodoxy among the local population, helped those in need, and cared for the wounded during the Livonian War. He founded libraries, kept chronicles, and established an icon-painting workshop.
During an epidemic, he organized the distribution of food to the hungry. In 1560, on the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, he sent prosphora and holy water to the Russian troops besieging the city of Fellin, which led to its surrender.
Saint Cornelius was martyred by Tsar Ivan the Terrible, who, upon repentance, donated precious offerings to the monastery. His body was placed in the wall of the 'God-built cave' and remained incorrupt for 120 years. In 1690, Metropolitan Markell transferred the relics to the cathedral of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.
On December 17, 1872, the relics were placed in a copper-silver reliquary, and in 1892 – in a new reliquary. The service for the holy martyr was composed for the day of the opening of the relics in 1690.
