Venerable Sergius, Abbot of Nurma, disciple of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Vologda
Saint Sergius, the Wonderworker of Nurma, was from Greece, and traveled from Mount Athos in order to consult with Saint Sergius of Radonezh (September 25), and to ask his advice on spiritual matters, even though he himself was already an experienced Elder.
After spending some time as the disciple of the Great Sergius of Radonezh, Saint Sergius of Athos went to the Vologda region near the Nurma River, a tributary of the Obnora River, in order to live in solitude. Twice, he was attacked by thieves. The first time they beat him nearly to death. The second time, however, they were driven away by the power of his prayers.
Soon, monks and laymen came to join him, attracted by the holiness of his life. When forty ascetics had joined Saint Sergius in the wilderness, he established a cenobitic monastery and built a church dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord.
One day, Saint Sergius encountered Saint Paul of Obnora (January 10) in the forest near his monastery, and saw birds perched on his head and shoulders, feeding from his hands. A bear stood nearby, waiting patiently to be fed. Foxes, rabbits, and other animals ran about, and were not afraid of the bear. All these creatures obeyed Saint Paul, just as they had obeyed Adam in Paradise.
The two Saints became very close and counseled one another in their spiritual endeavors. Saint Paul chose Saint Sergius, who had been ordained to the holy priesthood on Mount Athos, as his Spiritual Father. Saint Paul would confess his thoughts to the Elder, and also received Holy Communion from him. They visited one another frequently, strengthening each other in their advanced ascetical endeavors. Saint Sergius also disclosed to Saint Paul what was in his heart, for they helped each other to endure the tribulations of life in the wilderness.
Whenever Saint Sergius would leave for his own cell three miles away, Saint Paul accompanied him for two thirds of the way. Later, a chapel was built on the spot where the two Saints parted.
Saint Paul heard church bells ringing one night as he was praying in the forest by the Nurma River, and he also beheld a bright light. This occurred again on another occasion. Then the phenomenon was repeated more and more often. To the Elder's astonishment, on week days he would hear the ringing of small bells, while on Feast Days, there would be a louder pealing. The greater the Feast Day, the more triumphant the ringing became.
For a long time, Saint Paul ignored the ringing of the bells, considering it to be a delusion and a trick of the devil, so he did not mention it to anyone. Then something happened which convinced him that the opposite was true. As the Feast of Pascha came, he began an all-night Vigil, praying most fervently, and with many tears. Suddenly, just at midnight, he heard a triumphant ringing. Opening the window of his cell, the Elder looked downhill toward the Nurma. There he saw an extraordinary light shining in the forest beyond the river on the very spot where the Monastery church of the Holy Trinity would stand. Saint Paul felt peace and an inexpressible joy in his heart, and spent the entire night glorifying God and His Most Holy Mother. When he told the brethren of this vision, they all confirmed his opinion and urged him to build a church and a monastery at that place. He realized that after such a vision it would be unforgivable for him to hesitate in fulfilling God's will, so he decided to seek the advice of his Elder, Saint Sergius. Regarding this as a revelation from God. Saint Sergius prophesied that someday a monastery would be established there, and that many would find salvation in it. He urged Saint Paul to build a church dedicated to the Holy Trinity. This was the last meeting of the two Elders in this world.
Weighed down by advanced age, Saint Sergius began to prepare for his departure from this life, which occurred on October 7, 1412. The Church-wide veneration of Saint Sergius of Nurma began in 1546.
Saint Sergius of Nurma is also commemorated on May 7 (Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of Saint Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos); July 6 (Synaxis of the Saints of Radonezh); Synaxis of the Saints of Mount Athos (Second Sunday after Pentecost); and the Synaxis of the Saints of Vologda (Third Sunday after Pentecost).