Ηegumen / Abbot
Saint Lazarus of Murmansk was a Greek from Constantinople who took monastic vows at the High Mountain Monastery. In 1343, Bishop Basil sent him to Novgorod with icons and gifts. Saint Lazarus served Saint Basil for ten years, and after his death, he intended to return to his homeland, but received a command to remain on Murmansk Island. He founded a monastery despite persecution from local inhabitants, who burned his hut and tried to expel him. Saint Lazarus healed a blind child, which led to the conversion of the local people to Christianity.
With the blessing of Bishop Moses, he established a monastery, building a church in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. Saint Lazarus managed the monastery until old age. He departed to the Lord on March 8, 1391, at the age of 105, and was buried in a chapel near the church. His life was recorded by Elder Theodosius. In the 15th century, the monastery had an abbot named Athanasius, and the veneration of the saint continues to this day.
