Venerable Demetrius of Priluki

Venerable Demetrius of Priluki was born into the wealthy merchant Pokropaev family of Pereslavl-Zalessky. After monastic tonsure at the Goritsky Dormition Monastery, he founded the Nicholas Monastery on the shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo. In 1354 he met St. Sergius of Radonezh, forming a close spiritual friendship that shaped his monastic path. Following Sergius's example and blessing, Demetrius withdrew north with his disciple Pachomius and in 1371 founded the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery near Vologda — the first cenobitic monastery of the Russian North. He practiced strict abstinence, eating only prosphora bread and warm water even on feast days, and received the gift of clairvoyance. He reposed in extreme old age on February 11, 1392. Miracles began at his relics in 1409, and his veneration spread throughout Russia during the 15th century.