Arkady Panfilov

Arkady Panfilov was a Russian hieroschemamonk, a hermit on Karoulia on Mount Athos at the end of the nineteenth century. It is not known when he came to Athos or when he reposed. He is venerated by the faithful, without a synodal canonization.

He was listed among the hermits of Karoulia and regarded as the head of that desert. A pilgrim who passed through tells how some Old Believers, who had come on pilgrimage to lay their doubts before an elder with spiritual gifts, looked for the head of the desert. They found him in the garden, in torn and patched clothes, digging the earth in the sweat of his brow, and they would not believe that this poor man was the renowned elder. Father Arkady disclosed their hidden thoughts and spoke with such spiritual power that they recognised their ignorance, asked forgiveness and opened their souls. This episode shows Arkady's spiritual height, hidden under a humble appearance.