Ηegumen / Abbot
Saint Zosimas, the abbot of Solovetsky, was born in Novgorod, in the village of Tolvui. After the death of his parents, he distributed his possessions to the poor and took monastic vows. Seeking a place of seclusion, he traveled to the shores of the White Sea, where he met Saint Herman, who told him of the deserted islands.
Around 1436, the two hermits arrived at the Solovetsky Islands. There, Zosimas had a vision of a church. They built a cell and began to cultivate the land. When Saint Herman left to search for supplies, the saint endured the winter alone, overcoming many temptations. By God’s providence, food and all necessary goods were miraculously provided for him.
While more and more hermits gathered on the island, Saint Zosimas decided to build a church in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. An abbot was later sent from Novgorod. However, since all the previous abbots proved unable to endure the harsh conditions of the place, the saint was chosen to be the head of the monastery.
He organized the life of the monastic community, while he also established a strict communal rule. In 1465, he transferred the relics of Saint Savvatiy to Solovki. When the monastery suffered oppression from the Novgorod boyars, he himself went to Novgorod to seek protection. He foretold the imminent death of the boyars—a prophecy fulfilled in 1478.
Shortly before his repose, he prepared his own tomb and was buried behind the Transfiguration church. In 1566, his relics were transferred to the Transfiguration Cathedral. After his death Saint Zosimas also appeared to fishermen at the sea. He is venerated as the patron of beekeeping. People often pray to him seeking healing from illness.
