Petr Krutkov

Petr Krutkov, called the great elder, was a Russian hieroschemamonk, born in Romanovka, Balashov district, Saratov province. He reposed on 16 May 1925, surrounded by his spiritual children. He is venerated by the faithful, without a synodal canonization.

Named Georgy Kondratievich in the world, the son of Kondrat, a very devout man who raised his sons, Georgy and Nikolai, in love of God and of people. After his wife's death in 1878 the father resolved to leave the world; when he told his sons, aged twenty and eighteen, to his great surprise both declared that they too wished to be monks. He came to Athos. In 1900 he was tonsured into the schema with the name Petr and ordained hieromonk, and from then began the long and hard spiritual ascent, whose fruit was shown by the words of Father Flegont (Lebedev), who was very sparing of praise: A great elder. He had friendly and spiritual relations with the elders of St Panteleimon Monastery, and many Athonite ascetics asked his advice about spiritual life and salvation. He reposed on 16 May 1925.