Simon de Volomsk was a 17th-century Orthodox saint and monastic leader who lived in the Vologda region. Born Simeon Mikhailov near Volokolamsk, he faced financial hardship during the Time of Troubles, leading him to work as a tailor in Moscow before seeking a religious life. After studying at several monasteries, he was ordained a monk in 1609. He eventually established a remote hermitage in the Volomsk forests, which grew into a significant monastery.
Life and foundation
After receiving monastic tonsure, Simon sought a secluded location for a desert dwelling. Following travels through various northern cities, he settled near the Kichmenga River in 1613. He built a cell that served as the foundation for the Exaltation of the Cross monastery. Within five years, a community of monks had gathered around his site, establishing a permanent religious presence in the wilderness.
Death and veneration
The establishment of the monastery caused friction with local peasants who claimed the territory. Despite receiving a land grant from Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich, Simon faced violent opposition. Local residents burned the church and eventually attacked the saint, subjecting him to torture and execution by decapitation. He is remembered as a martyr and is commemorated on July 12, the day of his death.