Saints John and Longin of Yarenza lived in the 16th century as monks of the Solovetsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery under the guidance of Saint Philip. They undertook the ascetic struggle of strict fasting and prayer, fulfilling the will of the igumen and growing in spiritual life.
In 1561, while on monastery business in the Tver land, they perished in a storm on the White Sea when their ship was wrecked. The bodies of the saints were found incorrupt 120 versts from the monastery, at the mouth of the Sosnovka River, and were placed in a chapel in honor of Saint Nicholas in the village of Yarenza. Miraculous signs confirmed the sanctity of the saints, and many sick received healings at their holy relics. Over time, a monastery arose at the site of their burial.
In 1625, monk Ilya Tellov informed Patriarch Philaret about the miracles occurring at the saints' tomb. The testimonies of miraculous healings were thoroughly investigated and confirmed. On July 2, 1638, the holy relics were transferred to the newly constructed church of the monastery, and in honor of this event, the commemoration of Saints John and Longin of Yarenza was established on July 3.
