The Monk Michael Maleinos
Commemorated on July 12
The Monk Michael
Maleinos was born about the year 894 in the Charsian region (Cappadocia)
and at Baptism he received the name Manuel. He was of the same lineage with the
Byzantine emperor Leo VI the Wise (886-911). At age 18 Manuel went off to
Bithynia, to the Kimineia monastery under the guidance of the elder, John
Heladites, who vowed him into monasticism with the name Michael. Fulfilling a
very difficult obedience in spite of his illustrious lineage, he demonstrated
an example of great humility.
After the passage of
a certain while he was vouchsafed the grace of the priesthood. Constantly
studying the Holy Scripture, the Monk Michael showed how the priesthood ought
to be properly conjoined with monasticism, – he attained to an high degree of
dispassion and acquired the gift of perspicacity. He was very compassionate and
kindly towards people, he could not let remain without help and consolation
those who were in need and in sorrow, and by his ardent prayer he accomplished
many miracles.
After much monastic
effort under the guidance of the elder John, the Monk Michael besought of him
blessing for a solitary life in a cave, Five days of the week he spent at
prayerful concentration and only on Saturday and Sunday did he come to the
monastery for participation in Divine-services and communion of the Holy
Mysteries.
By his example of
sublime spiritual life the holy hermit attracted many seeking after salvation.
In a desolate place called Dry Lake, the Monk Michael founded a monastery for
the brethren gathering to him, and gave it a strict ustav (monastic-rule). When
the monastery was secure, the Monk Michael went to a still more remote place
and built there a new monastery. By the efforts of the holy abba, all the
Kumineia mountain was covered over by monastic communities, where constantly
prayers were raised up for all the world to the Throne of the Most-High.
About the year 953
amongst the brethren entered the youth Abraham, flourishing under the guidance
of Saint Michael, who gave him the name Athanasias. Later on the Monk
Athanasias (Comm. 5 July) himself founded the reknown Athos Laura, the first
life-in-common monastery on the Holy Mountain. In the building of the Laura
great help was rendered to the Monk Athanasias by the nephew of the Monk
Michael – the later Byzantine emperor Nicephoros Phokas (963-969), who in
visiting his uncle met also Athanasias. After fifty years of incessant monastic
effort the monk Michael Maleinos peacefully expired to the Lord in the year
962.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
