Venerable James of Zheleznoborovsky

Venerable James (Iakov) of Zheleznoborovsky was born in the second half of the 14th century into the family of the Galich boyars Anosov. From his youth he was drawn to monastic life and entered the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, where he was tonsured by St. Sergius of Radonezh himself. With his teacher's blessing to pursue eremitic life, he withdrew into the forests of Kostroma, to a place called Iron Borok (named for its iron-ore deposits), about 15 versts from present-day Buy. There he founded the Forerunner Zheleznoborovsky Monastery, establishing a strict cenobitic rule. He received the gifts of foresight and wonderworking: through his prayers droughts and epidemics ceased and the sick were healed. He is remembered for his intercession for the Kostroma land during invasions and famine. He reposed in deep old age in 1442. He is venerated as one of the disciples and spiritual successors of St. Sergius of Radonezh, included in both the Synaxis of Radonezh Saints and the Synaxis of Kostroma Saints.