Sophronius, Pimen and Silvanus of Neamt

Sophronius, Pimen and Silvanus were three Moldavian hieroschemamonks who led Neamț Monastery in turn between 1392 and 1402. They are named in the Romanian Paterikon and venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization; the sources available to us give no day of commemoration.

They were born in Moldavia and had taken their monastic vows on Mount Athos. Called by Christ from youth, they had become hermits in one of the hermitages of Athos. Hearing of Saint Nicodemus the Sanctified, they became his disciples and laboured with him for some years at Hilandar Monastery. Around 1365, when Nicodemus crossed into Wallachia, the three came to Moldavia and entered the community of Neamț, under the obedience of Abbot Cyprian.

They were accomplished monks and spiritual fathers, lived for several years as hermits in the forests around the lavra, and formed numerous disciples. For the holiness of their lives they were chosen abbots in turn. Sophronius led in 1392-1393, in the time of Prince Roman I Mușat; some founders' commemoration lists call him the first abbot of Neamț. Pimen led the monastery between 1393 and 1400 and worked much at its renewal. Silvanus was abbot from 1400 to 1402 and continued the work of his predecessors.

The Paterikon says that, having left behind more than a hundred disciples, the three passed to the Lord and gave their souls into His hands.