Memorial Day of St. Neil Stolobensky (20/12)

The Monk Nil Stolobensky was born at the end of the 15th century in the Novgorod region of Derevskaya Pyatina, Zhabensky churchyard. What name he bore in the world of — is unknown. All that is known about the saint’s parents is that they were peasants and pious people. Leaving his parents' house, the monk retired to the Pskov region to the Krypetsky Monastery, where he took monastic vows with the name Nil in honor of St. Nil Postnik.

In 1515, the Monk Neil, having decided on a hermit life, with the blessing of the abbot, left the Krypetsky Monastery and retired to the forest desert near the Seremkha River in Rzhevsky district. For 13 years the monk labored in a dense forest in continuous battle with the machinations of the devil. Dressed in terrible animals, snakes and reptiles, the demons rushed towards the saint with wild whistles and screams. The saint, like a sword, repelled demonic attacks with the sign of the cross and diligent prayers.

A few years later, rumors about the godly life of the saint spread throughout the surrounding villages, and many began to come to the saint for prayer and instruction. All those who came received great consolation from him, as from an indiscriminate source of wisdom and piety, and the Monk Neil was praised for his marvelous deeds and mercy. It was hard for the humble ascetic from human praise. He considered himself not established in goodness, but his fame — dangerous for the soul. He greatly desired silence and began to pray day and night to God and His Most Pure Mother that they would guide him on the path of salvation.

One day, while resting after prayer, the monk heard a voice: «Neil! Go to Lake Seliger, there on Stolobensky Island you can escape». The holy ascetic began to ask the people who came to him about this island. Having learned that this island is located seven miles from the city of Ostashkov, that this place is deserted, and no one lives there, the monk left the Seremkh desert in 1528 and happily set off. Arriving on the island, Reverend Neil saw that this place was very convenient for a solitary silent life, and settled there.

Stolobensky Island is very small. A century-old forest grew on it, where many berries ripened. Reverend Neil loved this beautiful place, surrounded on all sides by the waters of Seliger. The holy ascetic dug a small cave in the mountain, in which he lived for the winter. With the onset of spring, he built himself a small cell and a chapel on the same mountain. In strict solitude, the monk began his labors and exploits, rejoicing in spirit, raising his mind to heaven, always thinking about the hour of death and about righteous reward in the Hereafter. The monk rested standing, leaning on «hooks» driven into the wall.

He obtained food through his labors: he cultivated the land with a hoe, sowed bread and planted vegetables. But here too the devil did not stop arming himself against the saint and frightened him with all sorts of visions. So, one day the devil appeared with a whole horde of demons and surrounded the saint’s cell when he performed his prayer in it; cordoning off the cell with ropes, the devil threatened to drag it into the lake with a frantic cry, but with holy prayer drove away the demonic horde.

For his exploits and patience of misfortunes, St. Neil Stolobensky accepted the gift of seeing the secret deeds of people and those who sin to guide them on the path of truth. The God-fearing inhabitants, who were engaged in fishing near the island, honoring the saint, sent him fish for food.

The Monk labored on Stolobensky Island for 27 years and, even before his death, dug up his own grave in the chapel and placed a coffin there. Coming there every day, he cried over the tomb for his sins. When the saint finally felt death approaching, he prayed to the Lord to honor him with the sacrament of the Holy Mysteries. According to the saint's prayer, his wish was fulfilled. Hegumen of the St. Nicholas Monastery Sergius arrived on the island and gave communion to the ascetic of the Holy Mysteries. After communion, the Monk Neil entered the cell, performed ordinary prayers and, taking the censer, provided holy icons and all the cell. Then, leaning his hands on wooden hooks, on which he usually rested from bodily fatigue, he reposed himself with the Lord (1554).

On the site of the exploits of St. Nil of Stoloben, the Epiphany Nilo-Stolobensky Monastery, known as the Nilova Hermitage, was founded in 1594 by Hieromonk Herman. The discovery of the relics of St. Nile took place on May 27 (old style) 1667. An annual celebration was established on this day. Now the holy relics of St. Nil of Stolobensky rest in the Epiphany Cathedral of the monastery.

According to the new style, the memory of the saint is celebrated by the Russian Orthodox Church on December 20 (performance) and June 9 (finding relics).

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