Our Holy Father Varlaam of Chutinsk, the Wonderworker
Commemorated November 6
Saint Barlaam, Abbot of Khutyn lived in the twelfth century, the son of an illustrious citizen of Novgorod, where he spent his childhood years. Withdrawing at an early age to the Lisich monastery near the city, St Barlaam was tonsured there. Later he settled on a solitary hill below Volkhov, in a place called Khutyn, ten versts from Novgorod.
St Barlaam led a strict solitary life, occupying himself with unceasing prayer and keeping a very strict fast. He was a zealous ascetic in his labors: he cut timber in the forest, chopped firewood and tilled the soil, fulfilling the words of Holy Scripture, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3: 10).
Certain inhabitants of Novgorod gathered around him, wanting to share in monastic works and deeds. Instructing those who came, St Barlaam said, "My children, beware of all unrighteousness, and do not give in to envy or slander. Refrain from anger, and do not practice usury. Beware of unjust judgment. Do not swear an oath falsely, but rather fulfill it. Do not indulge the bodily appetites. Always be meek and bear all things with love. This virtue is the beginning and root of all good."
Soon a church was built in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord, and a monastery founded. Because of his service to others, the Lord granted St Barlaam the gifts of wonderworking and discernment.
When St Barlaam's life was drawing to a close, the hieromonk Anthony came from Constantinople by divine Providence. He was of the same age and a friend of St Barlaam. The saint turned to him and said, "My beloved brother! God's blessings rest upon this monastery. Now I leave this monastery in your hands. Watch over it and care for it. Although in the flesh I am leaving you, I shall always be with you in spirit." After instructing the brethren, commanding them to preserve the Orthodox Faith and to dwell constantly in humility, St Barlaam fell asleep in the Lord on November 6, 1192.
In Slavonic practice, St Barlaam is commemorated during the Proskomedia along with the venerable and God-bearing Fathers who shone forth in asceticism (sixth particle).
Troparion
Thou who, by reclining on earth, fasting and vigils didst put to death every fleshly subtlety, O Righteous one, and didst appear an inexhaustible stream of healings unto those that with faith hasten to thy relics, O Barlaam, our father; pray thou to Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion
As a second Elias, O Father, thou didst bring down rain from the heavens. For he brought down fire and awed the king, but thou didst gladden thy people and didst cause them to keep festival. Great Novgorod is thus greatly praised in thee, having thy relics in it. Do thou keep it unshaken from enemies that we may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O Righteous Barlaam, our father.