Hierarch Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov), Bishop of the Caucasus

Saint Ignatius (born Dmitri Alexandrovich Brianchaninov) was born on February 5, 1807, in the village of Pokrovskoye, Vologda Governorate, into a noble family. Drawn to prayer and solitude from childhood, he was nonetheless enrolled at age fifteen, at his father's insistence, in the Imperial School of Military Engineers in St. Petersburg, where he impressed Grand Duke Nicholas Pavlovich (the future Tsar Nicholas I).

After graduating he fell seriously ill, obtained discharge from military service in 1827, and became a novice under Elder Leonid (Nagolkin). He was tonsured a monk with the name Ignatius on June 20, 1831. He served as abbot of Lopotov Monastery (1833) and then for 24 years headed the Sergius Hermitage near St. Petersburg. On October 27, 1857 he was consecrated Bishop of the Caucasus and Black Sea.

In 1861, due to failing health, he retired to St. Nicholas Babaev Monastery, where he devoted himself to writing until his repose on April 30, 1867. He authored the classic ascetical works "The Arena" and "An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism." He was glorified in 1988.