The Venerable Abraham of Smolensk
Abraham was born in the Russian town of Smolensk, in answer to his parent’s prayers. He entered the monastic life at an early age and gave himself over to austere asceticism, emulating the ancient fathers of the desert. Larter he established the monastery of the Holy Cross near Smolensk. He endured many temptations from the demons and men with great patience and thanksgiving to God. During a great drought, Abraham brought forth rain through God’s mercy and his prayers. Living fifty years as a monastic, Abraham peacefully reposed in the Lord around the year 1220 AD.