Venerable Herman of Solovki

Saint Herman of Solovki, a native of Totma, had no formal education but from his youth showed piety and a love for solitary prayer. Around 1428-1429 he met the hermit Savvatius, who was seeking a place for strict asceticism, and together they crossed to the uninhabited Solovetsky Island in the White Sea, living there for several years in labor and prayer. After Savvatius's repose in 1435, Herman met the young monk Zosimas in the Kem district, and in 1436 the two returned together to Solovki, laying the foundation of a communal monastery. For more than forty years Herman carried out the monastery's obediences, bringing provisions and books for the brethren from the mainland and handling its business affairs. Having outlived St. Zosimas (d. 1478), he went to Novgorod on monastery business and died there in 1479. His body was brought back to Solovki; his relics were found incorrupt in 1484. He is glorified among the venerable saints together with Zosimas and Savvatius as one of the three founders of the Solovetsky Monastery.