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| St. Therapon of Monza (Feast Day - December 12) |
Venerable Therapon of Monza began his ascetic deeds in Moscow, and then transferred to the city of Kostroma at the Elevation of the Cross Monastery, and was tonsured there. Here he lived in asceticism for thirteen years.
Saint Therapon appeared in the dreams to the pious monks Adrian and Paphnutius, from the Monastery of Saint Paul of Obnora, who seeking solitude, moved to the Monza and founded the Monastery of the Annunciation 25 versts from Galich at his command. Saint Therapon transferred to this monastery, where he labored in asceticism until the end of his life. The monk Adrian served as his confessor, and he was amazed at the purity of the Saint. Each day, with the blessing of the abbot, he withdrew into a forest thicket and prayed. By night he read and transcribed copies of spiritually profitable books.
In his life he emulated Blessed Basil of Moscow the Fool for Christ (August 2), whom he called his friend, although personally he never saw him. Even during his life, Saint Therapon was glorified with a gift of wonderworking. Before his death he predicted a year of famine (1601). Anticipating the day of his death, the Saint bade farewell to the brethren and peacefully rested on December 12, 1597. Before he died, he asked that he, who would already be dead, be given the Holy Water of Theophany that January 6th. Performing the will of the deceased, he was given holy water, and he swallowed it, even though he was dead. Twenty years after the death of the Saint, his incorruptible relics were found, and even the robe was intact. The Annunciation Monastery at the River Monza was named after him, the Theraponov.
