Cloud of Witnesses
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Venerable (Monastic)15th century

Saint Adrian of Uglich

15th–early 16th century (reposed c. 1504)

Also known as Adrian of Úglich

An early disciple and cell-attendant of Saint Paisius of Uglich who shared in the labors and visions of the Uglich community.

August 26New Calendar
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Commemorated as

Our Venerable Father Adrian of Uglich

Life

Saint Adrian of Uglich was a Russian monastic of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, numbered among the first disciples of Saint Paisius of Uglich, whom he served as cell-attendant, close disciple, and fellow ascetic. His life is recorded chiefly in connection with the monastic community that grew up around Saint Paisius near the town of Uglich on the Volga.

Adrian shared in the formative events of that community, including a vision associated with the dedication of a church to the Protection of the Theotokos, and he later took part in establishing a daughter monastery dedicated to Saint Nicholas, of which he was made superior. He reposed around the year 1504 and is commemorated on August 26.

Troparion & Kontakion2 hymnsReadHide
TroparionTone 8

(Podoben: “Come, let us worship the Word...”) By a flood of tears, you made the barren desert fertile,
and by your sighings from the depths, your labors bore fruit a hundredfold,
and you became a luminary of the world,
radiant with miracles, O Adrian our Father.
Intercede with Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

KontakionTone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”) Having divinely armed yourself with purity of soul
and firmly grasping unceasing prayer as a spear, you have slain the armies of the demons.
Therefore, we beseech you, O Father Adrian:
“Always intercede for those who honor you.”

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline4 momentsReadHide
  1. 1472Vision of the TheotokosWhile the brethren were chanting, according to the tradition recorded in his life, Adrian was among the monks—together with Saints Paisius, Cassian, and Gerasimos—who beheld the monastery filled with an extraordinary light and the Mother of God enthroned with the Divine Infant. An angel is said to have directed them to raise a church in honor of the Protection of the Theotokos at that place.
  2. 1482Building of the Protection churchAdrian assisted in constructing a stone church dedicated to the Protection of the Theotokos at the site indicated in the vision. The synaxarion relates that an icon of the Protection was found in connection with this church.
  3. 1489Founding of the Saint Nicholas monasteryAdrian helped Saint Paisius establish a monastery dedicated to Saint Nicholas near the Grekhova stream, on the right bank of the Volga. He was appointed superior of the community and ordained a hieromonk.
  4. June 6, 1504Funeral of Saint PaisiusAdrian attended the funeral of his elder, Saint Paisius of Uglich. He reposed around the same time and, by his elder's wish, was buried near Paisius's grave.

Contributions & Legacy

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Veneration

Saint Adrian is commemorated on August 26 and also on Cheesefare Saturday. According to the accounts of his life, his formal glorification likely took place in the seventeenth century.

On March 10, 1964, his name was entered among the Synaxis of the Saints of Rostov and Yaroslavl, the regional commemoration under which many saints of that part of Russia are remembered.

Companions2 figuresShowHide
Spiritual father and elder; Adrian was among Paisius's first disciples and his cell-attendant, shared in the vision of the Theotokos at Uglich, and by his elder's wish was buried near him.
Paisiusof Uglich
Fellow disciple of Saint Paisius of Uglich in the same monastic circle.
Venerable Bassianof Uglich
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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints