Saint Mitrophan was born in 1495 in the Novgorod province. From an early age, he was a fasting, meek, and merciful man. Hearing a voice commanding him to go to the wilderness, he set out to preach to the pagan Lapps on the Kola Peninsula, where he learned their language and customs, not shying away from his ministry even under the threat of death.
In 1532, the saint built a church and founded a monastery in the name of the Holy Trinity, overcoming difficulties in the wild land. Once, when he came out of his cell, a bear overturned a vat with dough, but upon receiving a divine command, it remained motionless. Since then, wild animals did not attack the monastery's herd of reindeer.
The saint purchased a millstone for the needs of the monastery and, despite the exhausting journey, carried it himself, refusing to hand it over to his disciples so as not to disturb them with idleness. He declined the position of igumen, appointing his disciple as the abbot.
In years of famine, the saint, along with the brethren, went to the Novgorod lands, collecting alms for the monastery. Reaching old age, he peacefully departed to the Lord on December 15, 1583, at the age of 88, and after his death, he continues to help those who pray to him.
