Cornelius of Paleostrov

Venerable Cornelius of Paleostrov (Cornelius of Paleostrov in Olonets) was a Russian ascetic of the second half of the fourteenth century and founder of the Nativity of the Mother of God monastery at Paleostrov. He fell asleep about the year 1420. The Russian Church commemorates him on 19 May, by the old calendar (1 June on the new).

In his youth he left his native city and wandered among monasteries and deserts. According to tradition he lived for a time at the Valaam monastery. Toward the end of the fourteenth century he laid the foundation of monastic life on the island of Paleostrov, in the Tolvuya bay of Lake Onega. He lived in a cell-⁠cave of natural stone, in fasting and prayer, wearing heavy iron chains on his body.

Gradually a monastery gathered. A church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God was built, a bell tower and two other churches, of Saint Nicholas and of Saint Elijah.

About the year 1420 Venerable Cornelius reposed in his cell-⁠cave. His relics were moved to the church of the Nativity of the Mother of God by his disciple Abraham of Paleostrov. Soon miracles and healings of the sick began to be worked by his holy relics.