Abraham of Paleostrov

Venerable Abraham of Paleostrov (also called of Olonets, died in the middle of the fifteenth century) was abbot of the monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God at Paleostrov, on Lake Onega, disciple of Venerable Cornelius of Paleostrov and the second abbot after him. He is commemorated on 21 August (Old Style). His veneration is local: the date of the local canonization is not known, and in 1974 he was entered in the Synaxis of the Saints of Karelia, and in 1981 in that of the Saints of Novgorod.

Life

From the "Tales of the Life of Venerable Cornelius of Paleostrov" it is known that Abraham came to him after Cornelius settled in a cave on the island of Paley on Lake Onega. The monastery was founded by Cornelius, presumably not later than 1415 to 1421. Abraham, together with other disciples of his, took part in the building of the churches of the Nativity of the Mother of God, of the Prophet Elijah and of Saint Nicholas and of the monks' caves. Cornelius, still alive, appointed him his successor. Venerable Cornelius died about 1420 and Abraham buried him in the cave of the island. Later the relics of Cornelius were moved to the church of the Nativity of the Mother of God. Abraham died in the middle of the fifteenth century (our record gives 1460) and was buried under a stone in the church of the Nativity of the Mother of God, beside Cornelius.

Veneration

In the seventeenth century the monastery was devastated twice, so a large part of the archive was lost. The local veneration of Abraham and Cornelius is recorded in documents at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Archbishop Sergius (Spassky) set for both the day of 21 August. In 1974 Abraham was entered in the Synaxis of the Saints of Karelia, and in 1981 in the Synaxis of the Saints of Novgorod. His feast is kept on 21 August in the Russian Orthodox Church.