Venerable Sergius of Nurma (Obnora)

Venerable Sergius of Nurma (also called of Obnora or of Vologda) was born in Greece — the exact year is unknown — and received monastic tonsure and ordination to the priesthood on Mount Athos. In the second half of the fourteenth century, seeking a stricter ascetic life, he came to Russia and joined the brotherhood of the Holy Trinity Monastery under St. Sergius of Radonezh, spending several years there in obedience. With his abbot's blessing he withdrew into the Vologda forests to the bank of the river Nurma, where he first raised a cross and chapel, and around 1387 founded a cenobitic monastery with a church of the All-Merciful Savior — the Spaso-Nuromsky Monastery. He survived two attacks by robbers, being delivered through prayer, and gathered about forty disciples devoted to strict monastic life. He maintained close spiritual friendship with St. Paul of Obnora, whom he regularly visited for counsel. Sergius reposed in extreme old age on October 7, 1412. Over a hundred miracles were recorded at his tomb, the last dated 1653; church-wide veneration was established in 1546. His feast is kept on October 7 (October 20, New Style).