Lazarus the Hermit of Putna

Lazarus was a hieromonk of Transylvanian origin, a disciple of Metropolitan Dosoftei, who restored the Sihăstria of Putna and led it for more than twenty years, until about 1710. He is named in the Romanian Paterikon and venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization; the sources available to us give no day of commemoration.

He came from Transylvania. In youth he was a disciple and obedient follower of the gentle Metropolitan Dosoftei, who tonsured him and ordained him priest. When the metropolitan went into exile in Poland in 1686, Lazarus became a hermit at the Sihăstria of Putna. He found the skete deserted and the church in ruins, made himself a wooden cell and struggled alone in fasting and prayer.

After a few years several hermits who loved stillness gathered around him, but they had no church. Hearing that the treasurer Ilie Cantacuzino of Iași was merciful, Lazarus asked him to renew the church of the skete, which he did gladly. Around the church, dedicated to the Annunciation, the hermits built wooden cells and lived together in love, under Abbot Lazarus's guidance, praying day and night for the salvation of people and enduring want and temptations.

After more than twenty years of struggle he gave his soul into the Lord's hands, around 1710, leaving behind several hermits advanced in good works.