Evgeny Durnovo

Evgeny Durnovo was a Russian hieroschemamonk, a general's son and veteran of the defence of Sevastopol, who became a hermit on Mount Athos at Kavsokalyvia and then at Kapsala. He reposed on 25 January 1893 and is venerated by the faithful, without a synodal canonization.

He was related to the Russian minister of the interior, Ivan Nikolaevich Durnovo, and as a lieutenant had taken part in the defence of Sevastopol in 1853-1855. A highly educated man, he spoke several languages. After leaving the army he entered the Nikolo-⁠Ugreshsky Monastery, where he was tonsured and ordained hieromonk; he was disciple and cell attendant of Archimandrite Pimen, then steward, master of the typikon and choir director. He came to Athos as a pilgrim at the end of 1876, and the Russo-⁠Turkish war prevented him from returning. He settled in a hermit's hut at the skete of Kavsokalyvia. Later, after some troubles that disturbed his peace, he sold his cell, and his disciple stole the money. In 1889 he lived as a hermit on Kapsala in a small hut with a vineyard, a few cherry trees and a fig tree, and did not celebrate the Liturgy. He spent his last years at the cell of the Holy Archangels on Kapsala.

He kept a spiritual friendship with Father Matthew, librarian of St Panteleimon Monastery, to whom he sent old books and manuscripts and advice. In his letters he called himself an idler, yet he kept a very strict daily cell rule and worked his garden, and he hid his labours, though the strictness of his life was widely spoken of on Athos. He avoided honours and invitations to become an abbot in Russia. He reposed in his hut and was buried in the cemetery of the skete of St Andrew.