Ηegumen / Abbot
Saint Procopius of Sázava was born in the village of Chotun, a Slavic Bohemian. From childhood, he was distinguished by his piety and studied Slavic grammar in his parents' home, following the rules of faith sown by Saint Methodius. After completing his studies, he was ordained a priest and withdrew to a deserted place, where he lived in a cave, imitating the Eastern hermits.
During a hunt, the young prince Ulrich discovered the hermit and, conversing with him, agreed to build a church in honor of Saint John the Baptist. Thus, the desert monastery on the Sázava River was founded. Under the patronage of Prince Ulrich, who became the Duke of Bohemia in 1012, the monastery flourished, and the divine services were conducted in Slavic. Ulrich's successor, Prince Bracislav, also supported the monastery, despite the opposition from the Latins.
Feeling the approach of his end, the saint foretold to the brethren that he would die in three days and predicted a soon but brief persecution. Saint Procopius reposed on the third day, September 16/29. In 1055, the monks of Sázava were accused of heresy for using the Slavic script and were expelled from the monastery, but in 1061, Prince Vratislav returned them to their native abode.
