Venerable Abraham of Smolensk

Venerable Abraham of Smolensk was born around 1172 in Smolensk to a wealthy, pious family, the long-awaited thirteenth child and only son after twelve daughters. After his parents' death he gave his entire inheritance to churches, monasteries, and the poor, and was tonsured at the Theotokos Monastery at Selishche near Smolensk. Ordained a priest, he devoted himself to studying sacred books and became a fervent preacher of repentance and the Last Judgment, also painting icons, including an image of the Dread Judgment. His zealous preaching provoked envy among some clergy, who accused him of heresy and pride — but an ecclesiastical trial fully vindicated him. During a severe drought, citizens begged the bishop to restore him to service, and rain fell after his prayer. He later founded the Monastery of the Placing of the Robe of the Theotokos and became its abbot. He reposed around 1224, after fifty years of monastic life, and was canonized at the Council of 1549 under Metropolitan Macarius.