Martin of Turov

Venerable Martin, recluse of Turov, was a monk of a monastery in the city of Turov, in Belarus, born about 1090 and died on 27 June 1150. He is venerated by the Orthodox Church among the venerable and remembered on 27 June (10 July on the new calendar). He was cook to the bishops of Turov, then a monk and recluse, and was honoured for his love of God and humble labour.

The cook

Martin did not seek to perform any special feat. He kept in his heart love for God and was occupied with ordinary work, serving as cook to the bishops of the diocese of Turov: Simeon, Ignatius, Joachim (known from the chronicle in the years 1114 to 1146) and George. Martin the cook had the opportunity to see the life of the bishops and to hear their holy prayers. And, following the example of the masters, Martin prayed zealously while he prepared various dishes. Neither the family nor the relatives of Martin are known. It is known that he lived in the land of Turov and perhaps came from there.

Growing old and feeling his strength leave him, Martin retired. He remained at the monastery of the Holy Princes Boris and Gleb, located not far from the city of Turov. On one of the days of Great Lent he received monasticism and began to live as a recluse: "He lived alone with God". Monks of that time (until the fourteenth century) did not live in monasteries in one building, in common life, but each in a separate room, in a cell. But they prayed all together in church.

The wonderful appearance

One spring, in April, three days before the commemoration of Saint Martin the Confessor, the heavenly patron of the old man Martin, very great pains began to seize him. Unable even to rise from bed, Martin could only call for help. Usually the monks living near always helped each other. But this time the Pripyat, greatly overflowing, cut off all roads and prevented the other monks from reaching the sick man's cell. On the third day the old man Martin, in great suffering, grew utterly weak. He understood well that, because of the waters, no one could reach his cell, even to give him water. There remained only to pray and hope in God, overcoming the pain. And the Lord heard his prayer and showed a miracle.

Suddenly the old man Martin saw two youths in princely clothes enter his cell. The recluse did not recognize the holy passion-⁠bearers Boris and Gleb, although they came "in their likeness, as they are painted on the icon". Asking about the illness, the holy brothers gave the one suffering from pain and thirst a ladle of water and gave him drink. Martin wanted to give them food, humbly asking forgiveness that he had nothing to give them. The saints, blessing the old man who welcomed guests, became invisible. Only then did the blessed Martin understand who had visited him in his illness. After this wonderful appearance Venerable Martin was healed, rose to his feet by himself and was able to walk. He glorified God and the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb. Later the old man told the brotherhood how the Lord had had mercy on him.

Repose and source

Venerable Martin, recluse of Turov, gave his soul to the Lord on 27 June 1150, a year after his wonderful healing. For the life he spent, like the angelic order, the Orthodox Church venerates him as a saint of God. All that is known of him comes from the short "Tale of the Monk Martin", written by an unknown monk soon after the ascetic's death. It is thought that the author, or at least the one who prompted its writing, was Saint Cyril of Turov. The simple style, without rhetorical ornament, did not change much through copying and so the tale is of great value as a work of the twelfth century. Later it entered, with some changes, the Makarian Menaia. A troparion dedicated to him also survives.