Hieromonk
Saint Varlaam lived during the reign of Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible, born and raised near the White Sea, in the Keret volost. He was a priest of the Church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker in the city of Kola and served the Lord fervently, teaching people the law of God.
However, succumbing to temptation, Varlaam committed a terrible sin by killing his innocent wife, deceived by the devil. Realizing his guilt, he began to repent, fast, and pray for forgiveness. Acknowledging himself unworthy to continue his priestly service, he left his position and, to atone for his sin, he sailed the sea with his wife's body in a boat, not stopping until it had decayed.
During his voyage, he prayed and labored, overcoming dangers, and soon received a sign from God of his forgiveness: the worms that threatened the ships disappeared, and the path around the Holy Cape became safe.
After this, Varlaam took monastic vows and settled in a forest hermitage near Lake Kereti. He passed away in the Chupa Bay, and his body was buried in the village of Keret at the Church of Saint George.
Since the 17th century, the veneration of Saint Varlaam began in Pomorye. Miracles associated with his name have been recorded, including apparitions that testified to his intercession. Many people, including the voivode Gury Volyntsev and merchants Yakov Noskov and Yefimiy Bolnishchev, experienced his help in difficult situations at sea.
By the 1720s, local veneration of Varlaam had been established, although he was not canonized among the saints recognized by the Church. Saint Varlaam continues to be honored as the protector of sailors, and prayers to him are offered for protection from calamities at sea.
