Information about the life of Venerable Varlaam has been preserved in the chronicle “On the Founding of the Monastery of the Lord which is in Serpukhov.” The life of Varlaam begins in the year 1360. It is unknown where he was from and when he took monastic vows, but he was a disciple of Saint Alexis, who loved him for his virtue and humility. While being close to the saint, Varlaam witnessed many important events in the church and political life of that time.
In 1360, during the prayer of Saint Alexis, he heard a voice from the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos commanding him to build a monastery. The saint, reflecting on this, sent Varlaam to inspect the place for the future monastery. Varlaam found a suitable location and, hearing an extraordinary ringing, returned to the saint with joyful news. In 1362, a wooden church was built, and then a stone one in honor of the Entry of the Theotokos.
Varlaam was the builder of the monastery for 15 years, but then he became blind. He lived for another two years, and before his death, he asked Saint Alexis for burial. The saint came to him, and Varlaam, receiving his blessing, passed away on May 5, 1377. According to his will, he was buried at the church porch, so he could always see the church of the Most Holy Theotokos.
In 1377, the icon “The Entry of the Theotokos into the Holy of Holies” was written, which became the main shrine of the monastery. Varlaam took care of the moral upbringing of the brotherhood, following the teachings of Saint Alexis and Venerable Sergius. He instructed the monks in labor and humility, emphasizing the importance of the fear of God and the remembrance of death.
After Varlaam's death, his relics were venerated as holy. In the 16th century, his veneration began, and in the 19th century, miracles of healings were recorded at his tomb. In 2000, the veneration of Varlaam as a locally revered saint of the Moscow diocese was restored.
