Venerable Iona of Yashezero

Saint Iona of Yashezero came in his youth to the River Svir to St. Alexander of Svir and became his disciple. In 1533, shortly before the elder's repose, he received his blessing to pursue the hermit's life and withdrew into the dense forests between Lakes Yashezero and Sennoe in Karelia. There he lived in solitude before gathering a brotherhood around him and founding the Annunciation Iono-Yashezersky Hermitage. According to tradition, he dug a canal between the two lakes with his own hands and crafted wooden implements for the monks. Under his guidance the hermitage acquired land and fishing rights. Iona left the brethren a spiritual testament and was buried beneath the Transfiguration Church of the monastery he founded, where his relics rested. He is venerated among the saints of Karelia.