Nilus of Sora

Venerable Nilus of Sora, founder of skete life in Russia and teacher of non-possession.

Nilus was born in the fifteenth century and became a monk of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. He travelled to Mount Athos, where he learned the hesychast tradition, and on his return founded a small skete on the river Sora, living in poverty and continual prayer.

He taught that monasteries should own no villages and wrote a Rule of skete life. He reposed in 1508.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Nilus of Sora is commemorated on May 7. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on May 20 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on May 7

• 

  Akakios of Cappadocia

  Martyr, Ακάκιος

  Holy Martyr Akakios of Cappadocia.

  Name days: Akakios, Acacius

• Sign of the Cross over Jerusalem

  Saint, Σημείο του Τιμίου Σταυρού

  Commemoration of the luminous Cross that appeared in the sky over Jerusalem in the reign of Constantius.

• Kodratos and Companions

  Martyr, Κοδράτος

  Holy Martyr Kodratos (Quadratus) and those with him, who suffered at Nicomedia under Decius.

  Name days: Kodratos, Quadratus

• Nilus the Myrrhstreamer

  Venerable, Νείλος ο Μυροβλύτης

  Finding of the relics of Venerable Nilus the Myrrhstreamer of Mount Athos.

  Name days: Neilos, Nilos, Nilus

• John Psychaites

  Venerable, Ιωάννης ο Ψυχαΐτης

  Venerable John the Confessor, abbot of the Psycha Monastery in Constantinople during the Iconoclast persecution.

• Alexis Toth

  Saint, Αλέξιος Τοθ

  Saint Alexis Toth, confessor and defender of Orthodoxy in America.