Venerable Maximus Kavsokalyvites (the Hut-Burner)

Venerable Maximus Kavsokalyvites ("the Hut-Burner") was one of the greatest hesychast ascetics of Mount Athos, born around 1270 in Lampsacus in Asia Minor and drawn to monasticism from his youth. After taking monastic vows, he struggled on Athos, where, to conceal the height of his spiritual labors, he embraced a form of folly for Christ's sake: he would build himself a simple hut of dry branches, and as soon as it attracted the attention of admirers or would-be disciples, he burned it down and moved elsewhere — hence his surname. In this way he changed his dwelling many times, fleeing human glory and seeking unceasing prayer alone with God. He attained high degrees of contemplation and was granted appearances of the Mother of God. He conversed with many ascetics of his era, including St. Gregory of Sinai, one of the founders of the hesychast revival on Athos, instructing them in the noetic work of unceasing prayer. Only toward the end of his life did he give up his wanderings and settle near the Great Lavra of St. Athanasius of Athos, where he peacefully reposed around 1365. The Church celebrates his memory on January 13/26.