Life of Igumen Nazarius of Valaam (continuation)

Under his diligent care, the monastery of Valaam was, in a way, reborn from desolation and its brotherhood grew in numbers.  Before Elder Nazarius arrived, there had been one tonsured monk, some novices and two non-monastic priests living at the monastery.  But when the clergymen tragically drowned, all of the priestly duties were left to Elder Nazarius who performed all priestly duties for about a year. In May 1785 Elder Nazarius was honored with the title of Igumen. He introduced a strict church service order at the monastery and acquired lands from the Royal Donation for its permanent maintenance.  One day it happened that Elder Nazarius was in St. Petersburg to attend to some of the monastery’s needs.  He was walking on the Vyborg¹ borough with another like him when the Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich,² was crossing the Neva River in a carriage.  Seeing the Elders in humble attire, he inquired where they were from and what kind of elders they were. Having learned from them that one of them was Abbot Nazarius, he personally thanked him for the successful restoration of the Valaam Monastery; for he had  heard much good about the elder Igumen, who was famous for his spiritual experience and care for the welfare of the monastery. 

Igumen Nazarius established three forms of monastic life at the Valaam monastery: cenobitic, skete, and hermitical. The renown of this arrangement spread even beyond the borders of Russia. Motivated by a holy curiosity, many came even from Mount Athos to venerate the Valaam wonderworkers, Sergius and Herman. They saw with surprise the arrangement of the monastery, and some even preferred what they discovered to their own Athonite monasteries. The memorable Elder Igumen Nazarius, had a special gift of foresight and clairvoyance; he sometimes knew a person’s thoughts, character and inclinations without inquiring. He encouraged everyone who came to him to correct the shortcomings that he discerningly noticed in them.  During the construction of the monastery and the various cells of the brethren in accordance with the aforementioned forms of living,  Elder Nazarius visited numerous cities and provinces. When he returned to the monastery however, he had a hermit’s cell to which he retired for weeks at a time.

In 1792 and 1793 at the behest of the Empress, the Holy Synod sent Hieromonk Joasaph³, who was promoted to the rank of Archimandrite, and Monk Herman along with ten other monks from among the Valaam brethren to America to preach the word of God. Archimandrite Joasaph engaged in preaching the word of God to the wild tribes of America with an apostolic zeal. He often appeared to many of them in their dreams and encouraged them to go to Kodiak Island, where the missionary monks had settled, and accept the Christian faith and baptism there.  He assured them that he would not cease to harass them in their dreams until they turned to Christianity and were baptized.  Joasaph’s labors were crowned with the desired success. Along with those who were sent to America, the Valaam monastery was also famous for many other men who were experienced in monastic life.  It owes this glory to Elder Nazarius, who arranged everything in it in good order and in accordance with what the Apostle Paul commanded at one time.⁴

In 1801, Abbot Nazarius was relieved from his duties as abbot and allowed to retire at his own request. Taking advantage of his freedom from official work, he lived in solitude near the monastery, where his only occupation was prayer and handiwork.  Several years later, however, circumstances dictated that Elder Nazarius leave his hermit cell and the Valaam Monastery. In March of 1804 he was sent – at his own request – by His Grace Metropolitan Ambrose to the Sarov Monastery to reside permanently with his disciple Hieromonk Hilarion.  Upon arrival at the monastery he built himself a cell in the forest on the Sarovka River for greater solitude. There he lived in seclusion for about five years, conversing with God alone. Because of his humility, he remained a true lantern and spiritual comfort for the brethren, who sought spiritual edification from him.  (to be continued…)

1.     the Northeast part of Saint Petersburg

2.     Pavel Petrovich Romanov (1754-1801), Emperor Pavel I of Russia (1796-1801).

3.     In 1799 Joasaph was consecrated Bishop of Kodiak, but he did not reach his diocese, and perished in a shipwreck.

4.     This appears to be a reference to the following: “All things should be done decently and in order.” (1Co 14:40)