Macarius Sharov

The Venerable Macarius Sharov of Glinsk (1802-1864), a hieroschemamonk, born Matthew Terentievich Sharov, came from the well-⁠off townsfolk of a town in the Tula province. He grew up in the house of an especially devout mother and, in 1822, at twenty, entered the Glinsk Hermitage, under Abbot Philaret. He worked first at the apiary, was tonsured a monk in 1833, ordained hierodeacon in 1837 and hieromonk in 1839. His cell had one small room, its panes pasted over with paper so that his gaze might not wander, an icon, a few books, a table, a chair and an apple on the table; he went into the forest with a spiritual book and prayed there.

Dean, then elder

In 1844 he was appointed dean of the monastery. He divided his love between the abbot and the brethren, bore much for those who did not fulfil their obediences and sometimes did their work himself, kneading bread at night. Receiving visitors, especially women, brought him grievances from some brethren, and his office drew him from prayer, so in 1849 he was relieved of the deanship and, after two years, of priestly service. He then withdrew to his cell; but soon the angel of the Lord appeared to him and commanded him to receive the people, and a vision of swallows showed him that he must not refuse women either, though some of the brethren would grumble. Those who came to him found on his face pure joy and gentleness. He listened with the same patience to the uneducated man with his superstitions, the learned unbeliever, the peasant woman and the inquisitive lady, and said that true love gives to all, not only to the chosen.

His end

On 1 June 1863 he received the great schema, keeping his name. He leaned on a crutch but stood through all the long services. Six months before his death he shut himself in his cell and received Communion ever more often. By a vision he was assured that he would not pass through the toll-⁠houses: he had seen a white pillar rising to heaven. He was taken to the monastery infirmary and fell asleep in peace on 21 February 1864, in the 63rd year of his life; on 23 February Abbot Innocent buried him. The Council of Bishops of 2017 added him to the Menologion of the Russian Church. He is commemorated on 22 September, in the new style.