Saint Martinian of White Lake, known in the world as Michael, was born in 1370 in the village of Berezniko near the Cyrilov Monastery. At the age of thirteen, he secretly left his parents to join Saint Cyril of White Lake, a renowned ascetic, under whose guidance he lived in strict obedience. At the monastery, Martinian learned reading and writing, copied books with Saint Cyril’s blessing, and was eventually ordained first as a deacon and later as a hieromonk. After the death of Saint Cyril in 1427, Martinian withdrew to a deserted island on Lake Vozha, where several monks gathered around him. He founded a church dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord and established a common monastic rule for the community.

Later, responding to the requests of the brethren, Saint Martinian became igumen of the Therapon Monastery and restored it to a flourishing condition. He also provided spiritual counsel to Great Prince Basil during the political turmoil caused by Demetrius Shemyaka’s unlawful claim to the Moscow throne, always standing firmly for truth and justice. At the prince’s request, Martinian later governed the Monastery of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. In 1455 he returned to Therapon Monastery, where he spent his final years suffering from severe illness, unable to walk and carried to church by the brethren. Saint Martinian died at the age of eighty-five; his relics were uncovered in 1514, an event commemorated on October 7.

Troparion — Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy father Martinian, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!