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Monument to St. Silouan the Athonite Unveiled in Russia
A monument honoring St. Silouan the Athonite was unveiled in his native Tambov region, commemorating his enduring spiritual legacy.
NOVAYA LYADA, RUSSIA — A monument to St. Silouan the Athonite was unveiled Aug. 10 in the Tambov region, where the renowned Orthodox ascetic was born. The bronze monument stands on the grounds of a church dedicated to the saint in the workers’ settlement of Novaya Lyada.
The unveiling coincided with the annual celebration of the Synaxis of the Tambov Saints, honoring saints and ascetics associated with the region. The monument was consecrated by Metr. Gregory of Voskresensk, who described St. Silouan as both an example of holiness and a teacher for Christians.
“Any saint is a model for us, a role model, and St. Silouan the Athonite, a native of the Tambov region, is, among other things, a teacher for us,” Metr. Gregory said.
The hierarch recalled that St. Silouan was born and spent his early years in the region before traveling to Mt. Athos, where he lived a life of prayer and spiritual struggle. “He attained the heights of righteousness. And thanks to this achievement, he was able to teach many,” he added.
The monument was initiated by the Russian Military Historical Society with support from the Tambov regional government. Organizers said the project was intended to preserve the memory of Orthodox saints connected with the region.
St. Silouan was born Semyon Antonov in 1866 and entered the Russian Monastery of St. Panteleimon on Mt. Athos in 1892. He remained there until his death in 1938.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Nicholas led a historic consecration at a Virginia parish.
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