Venerable Nilus of Sora was born in 1433. He is revered as one of the greatest Fathers of the Russian Church and a foremost teacher of hesychasm. He received the monastic tonsure at the Monastery of Saint Cyril of Belozersk, where he was formed under the guidance of Elder Paisius of Yaroslavl. After making pilgrimages to the holy places of the East and living as an ascetic in Mount Athos, he founded the first Russian skete on the banks of the Sora River.
A devoted student of the Holy Scripture and the writings of the Holy Fathers, Saint Nilus sought to order his entire life according to their teachings. He dedicated himself to unceasing prayer and spiritual vigilance. With great courage, he opposed the corruption of ecclesiastical books and took part in the Church council convened in 1491 against the Judaizing heretics.
In his last testament, he requested that his body either be left in the wilderness or buried in the simplest manner, considering himself unworthy of honor.
Saint Nilus reposed in the Lord on April 7, 1508. His holy relics rest in the hermitage that he founded.
Among the works that have survived are his letters and the Rule of his skete. Through these writings, he presents the principles of the inner ascetic life and the spiritual struggle of the monastic vocation, emphasizing above all the virtues of humility and prayer.
