Varsonofii Yuganov

Varsonofii Yuganov was a Russian schemamonk, born in 1838 in a village of the Don region, a deacon's son, a former soldier of the Crimean War. He reposed on 8 May 1905. He is venerated by the faithful, without a synodal canonization.

Named Vasily Alekseevich in the world, he was prepared by his father for the priesthood, but in 1855, at seventeen, he was drafted; he proved very brave and drew his superiors' attention. After the Crimean War he took part in other campaigns too. In 1859, stationed in Poland, at Warsaw, he fell ill, and the illness brought him close to God. Later he came to Athos and became a monk at St Panteleimon. At the services he was full of spiritual joy, and those beside him saw his ardent gaze turned towards the altar, as if awaiting the Lord he so loved to come out. He reposed on 8 May 1905.