Monk Varlaam of Serpukhov | Silver foiled icon lithography mounted on wood | Size: 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"

 According to Tradition, the Monastery of the Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos in Serkhupov was founded on the direct orders of the Lady, who appeared to Metropolitan Alexy of Moscow and showed him the place where She wanted to establish a holy monastery. Obeying the will of the Heavenly Queen, the saint sent to Serpukhov his cell attendant, the monk Varlaam, who, before the foundation of the temple of the future monastery, was also honored with the vision of the Mother of God. Subsequently, the Monk Varlaam became the first abbot of the Vladychny monastery.