Ηegumen / Abbot
Saint Savva of Storozhi loved Christ from his youth and rejected the world. Having received the monastic tonsure from Saint Sergius of Radonezh, he zealously fought against passions and practiced virtues, overcoming demonic temptations through fasting, vigil, and prayer. He gained fame and respect when Prince Georgy Dmitrievich asked him to establish a monastery on Mount Storozhi, near Zvenigorod. Saint Savva lived in solitude, enduring hardships, and soon monks and laypeople began to come to him for spiritual guidance. He taught them labor and humility, performing necessary work himself. Prince Georgy provided means for the construction of a church, which was erected in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Being a good shepherd, Savva established the brotherhood in virtues. In his old age, he gathered the brethren and instructed them in the Divine Scriptures, calling them to purity, love, and prayer. On the third day of December, after giving the command of obedience, he surrendered his soul to God. His burial gathered many Christ-loving citizens, who lovingly buried him in the church he had built. The holy relics of Saint Savva continue to bestow healings upon the faithful.
Years later, the igumen Dionysius saw Saint Savva in a dream, who commanded him to write his icon. During a moleben to Saint Savva, a possessed man was healed upon seeing the elder with a cross. The igumen and the brethren, appearing before the prince, were justified from slander. One of the monks, healed from blindness, became a witness to the miracles occurring from the saint's tomb. Thieves who came to the monastery were frightened and left empty-handed. Boyar Ivan Rtishchev, having healed his son, also brought healing to his servants through prayers to Saint Savva.
Igumen Misael, gravely ill, received healing by the instruction of the appearing elder. Many other miracles occurred from the tomb of God’s servant, and they are now granted to the faithful through the prayers of Saint Savva.
