Venerable Euphrosynos, Igoumen of Pskov

Saint Euphrósynos (Euphrósynos) of Pskov, in the world Eleazar, was born in about the year 1386 in the village of Videlebye, near Pskov, the same village where Saint Nikander of Pskov (September 24) had also been born. His parents wanted Eleazar to marry, but secretly he withdrew to the Snetogorsk monastery (on the Snyatni hill, now in Pskov itself) and there he was tonsured.

He even traveled to the East, where he observed the monastic life there. Upon his return, he was no longer satisfied with life in the Snetogorsk Monastery. Therefore, around the year 1425, Saint Euphrosynos asked his Spiritual Father's blessing to live in solitude on the Tolva River near Pskov. There the Three Holy Hierarchs appeared to him: Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, and indicated a place to build a church. Later, the Saint founded a monastery there. Concern for the salvation of his neighbor impelled the Saint to abandon his wilderness dwelling, and he received everyone who was in need of an experienced Elder and guide. Saint Euphrosynos blessed those who came to him to live according to the Skete Rule, which he compiled himself. He was neither a priest, nor an Igoumen, but the instructor and Elder of the brethren.

The Rule of Saint Euphrosynos presents rather general advice for monks about proceeding on the monastic path, “how it befits monks to dwell.” He does not address the strict regulation of all aspects of monastic life, as did the Rule of Saint Joseph of Volokolamsk; for example; there is nothing in it at all concerning the order of the Divine Services.

In 1447, at the request of the brethren, Saint Euphrosynos built a church in honor of the Three Holy Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, who had appeared to him, and also in honor of Saint Onouphrios the Great (June 12). The Monastery later received the name Spaso-Eleazarov. Out of humility and his love for the solitary life, the Saint did not wish to become the Igoumen, but instead he nominated his disciple Ignatius for this office. Then he went to live in the forest near a lake.

Saint Euphrosynos reposed at the advanced age of ninety-five, on May 15, 1481, and was buried in the Monastery he founded. An Icon was placed on his tomb, with the blessing of Archbishop Gennadios (Gennádios) of Novgorod. The icon was painted by the Saint's disciple Ignatius, while the Saint was still alive. Also included was the Saint's last will and testament to the brethren on a piece of parchment, stamped with the lead seal of Archbishop Theophilos of Novgorod. This is one of very few surviving wills written by an ascetic in his own hand.

Saint Euphrosynos, the founder of Pskov wilderness life, guided many renowned disciples, who also established monasteries, planting the seeds of monasticism throughout the lands of Pskov. Among the disciples of Saint Euphrosynos were the Skete Elders Savva of Krypetsk (August 28); Saint Dositheos of Verkhneostrov (October 8); Saint Onouphrios of Malsk (June 12); Saint Joachim of Opochsk (September 9); Saint Hilarion of Gdovsk (October 21); Saint Chariton of Kudinsk, the founder and Igoumen of a monastery at Lake Kudina near Toroptsa; and the locally venerated brethren of Pskov Ignatius, Charalampos and Pamphilios were buried at the Spaso-Eleazar Monastery. Saint Euphrosynos is also commemorated on the third Sunday after Pentecost, the Synaxis of the Pskov Saints (movable Feast).