Nikolai
Mikhailovitch, the future Schema-abbot Savva, was born on the day of
commemoration of Nikolai
Mikhailovitch, the future Schema-abbot Savva, was born on the day of
commemoration of
Nikolai finished school at the age of 13, and, at the age
of 16 was drafted into the army at the start of World War I. He spent
almost one-half his life in the world – attending grade school and a
vocational/construction institute, serving in the army, and working. When
World War II ended, Nikolai Mikhailovith was 48 years old, an age at which it
would seem too late to set out on a new path in life, especially as, by secular
standards, the better part of his life was over. However, nothing could
stop the future Elder from his pursuits: after passing the Moscow Theological
Seminary entrance examinations, he set out to study the Word of God.
Nikolai Mikhailovitch completed the seminary course of
study in three years rather than the usual four, and after being tonsured a
monk, was assigned the obedience of being ekonom [steward] of Holy Trinity–St.
Sergius Lavra.
Recognizing Fr. Savva’s maturity and wealth of life
experience, the monastery prior gave him a new obedience – to be spiritual
director to the faithful. The Elder’s spiritual children recollect that
he never scolded them over their transgressions, but rather strove to fully
uncover the sin, to reveal to the penitent just how loathsome was the sin that
he had committed. Only rarely did he harshly criticize, and whenever he
did so, he would immediately apologize for having been harsh.
Fr. Savva would receive an enormous number of people; he
had over 7,000 spiritual children. In 1955, when, at the direction of the
Most-holy Patriarch Alexei I, Elder Savva was transferred to the Pskov Caves
Monastery, spiritual children and others who knew him from Holy Trinity–St.
Sergius Lavra made pilgrimages from all over in order to see the Elder at the
With Elder Savva’s arrival, the Pskov-Caves Monastery
began to revive. At the time, the Monastery was not well-known, and its
faithful were few in number. The number of people coming to pray increased
significantly from the time Elder Savva arrived, and in a short time, the
Monastery’s welfare markedly improved.
On July 26, 1980, Elder Savva peacefully departed to the
Lord.
First of all – even in the most trivial matters, be fair and unbiased. Second – never deceive anyone, even in jest. Third – remain disinterested [in the outcome of any dispute], even in the most trivial matters. Seek out any possible opportunity to be of help to others. In any trouble and annoyance, judge yourself the more severely, while showing condescension toward others. Never make fun of or ridicule anyone. Never say anything good about yourself, and for the sake of others, do not think of yourself. Be more quiet than talkative, listen to others, and to the extent possible, avoid quarrels. Always try to avoid being idle. Don’t become impassioned; should you ever feel that anger has so possessed you that it is difficult to control yourself, immediately fall silent, and if possible, go away. There is no person in whom there is not some kind of good. With your love, cover the evil in him, and pray to God on his behalf.