Parfenii Gvozdev

Parfenii Gvozdev was a Russian hieroschemamonk, disciple and successor of Hadji-⁠Georgis, first at the Sergiev hermitage, then elder of the Annunciation cell near Karyes. He is venerated by the faithful, without a synodal canonization.

Named Pyotr in the world, he was a novice at the Sergiev hermitage, but the elder Macarius would not let him go to Athos. When Macarius died, the way opened, but Parfenii was long troubled that he had gone without the blessing of the abbot Ignaty; on the ship he dozed and had a vision in which the elder Macarius kissed him, which meant forgiveness. He reached Rossikon, but the elders did not receive him at once and sent him to see other monasteries. Later he lived near Hadji-⁠Georgis. After the latter's death, in 1886, he took his place as elder. His brotherhood, moved to the Annunciation cell near Karyes, was famed for publishing books. He also wrote and published the life of Hadji-⁠Georgis. His charity became legendary: no poor man on Athos left without a blessing, a gift; he received thirty letters a day.