Feodorit Krestovikov

Feodorit Krestovikov was a Russian archimandrite, abbot of the Russian Skete of St Andrew on Athos, born on 7 February 1822 at Surinskoe, Simbirsk province, who died at Odessa aged 66, in 1887. He is venerated by the faithful, without a synodal canonization.

Named Fyodor in the world, he was the son of the devout peasant Vasily Krestovikov and Ekaterina, raised in right faith. His father, returning from pilgrimage, built a house for strangers in their village and prepared for monasticism; the son wished to follow him, and together they went to Athos. In 1843 they arrived and entered the cell of Serai, recently passed to the Russian ascetics Vissarion and Varsonofy. The elders rejoiced at the new helpers. The young skete had its difficulties: unrest among the brethren, opposition, lack of means. The elders chose Feodorit, who proved worthy: through his effort the building and embellishing works were done. For three years, from 1852 to 1855, he was in Russia. In 1862, at Vissarion's death, the brethren elected him abbot of the skete. He began with a cemetery church, in which he arranged the unceasing reading of the Psalter. All his life he served the skete, the Russian monks of Athos and Russian pilgrims, and made many journeys to Russia for gifts and metochia. He reposed at Odessa and was buried in the church built by his labour.