Saint Abraham of Smolensk

Biography

Saint Abraham of Smolensk, also known as Avraamii of Smolensk, was born in the 12th century in Smolensk, Russia. He was born into a wealthy family but was orphaned at a young age. When he reached the age to make his own choices, he decided to give away his wealth and dedicate his life to God. He entered the Bogoroditskaya monastery as a monk.

Saint Abraham was not only a dedicated monk but also a bible scholar, priest, and renowned preacher. His sermons primarily focused on the Day of Judgment, and he lived his life with the constant awareness that he would ultimately be judged by God. His teachings resonated strongly with the laity, and he quickly gained popularity among them due to his gentle nature and genuine concern for the sick, abused, and troubled.

However, his preaching and teachings faced opposition from both the clergy and the wealthy laity. Many clergy members were openly jealous or hostile towards him, while the wealthy elite opposed his emphasis on embracing poverty, living an austere life, and detaching oneself from worldly wealth. To silence him, his critics brought charges of moral and theological errors, heresy, and immorality against him.

In his first trial, Saint Abraham was acquitted of all charges. However, his enemies were undeterred and tried him once again. To his critics' dismay, he was acquitted for a second time. Subsequently, he was ordered back to the Bogoroditskaya monastery, stripped of his priestly functions, and lived under a cloud of suspicion and disciplinary orders for five years.

During a period of drought, the people of Smolensk demanded that Saint Abraham be reinstated as his presence was believed to bring about divine intervention. The bishop re-opened the investigation, and this time Saint Abraham was cleared of all charges. According to legend, he prayed for rain, and miraculously, rain poured down before he even returned to his monastery cell.

Following his vindication, Saint Abraham was appointed as the abbot of the small and impoverished Mother of God monastery in Smolensk. For the rest of his life, he dedicated himself to a quiet life of prayer, overseeing the affairs of the monastery, and receiving visitors. Despite his popularity, he refrained from preaching for fear of causing dissension among the faithful.

Saint Abraham's biography was written by one of his fellow monks and has survived to this day, giving insight into the life and struggles of this holy man. He was canonized as a saint in 1549 by Pope Paul III.

Saint Abraham of Smolensk is not commonly associated with any specific patronage, books, images, or symbols. However, his story serves as an inspiration for those facing opposition and hardship while remaining steadfast in their faith.