Adrian of Ondrusov

Who was Adrian of Ondrusov?

Venerable Adrian of Ondrusov was a Russian Orthodox monk and saint, venerated as a Wonderworker.

Born Andrew Zavalushin into a noble family, he was the owner of a rich estate, which was located not far from the monastery of Saint Alexander of Svir. He accidentally encountered St Alexander while he was hunting in 1493, and after this often went to him for guidance, and helped supply the material needs for the ascetics. Eventually Andrew decided to enter the monastic life and was tonsured at Valaam Monastery on Lake Ladoga, receiving the religious name Adrian. Several years later, he received a blessing to live as a hermit on the peninsula of the Valaam archipelago.

Tsar Ivan the Terrible developed a profound respect for Adrian, and endowed his monastic community. In August 1549, he asked Adrian to be the godfather for his daughter Anna. While he was returning from Moscow to his monastery, robbers killed him near the village of Obzha. This took place on August 26, which is the feast day of his own patron saint, Adrian of Nicomedia. Two years later, on May 17, 1551, when his brethren found his remains, his body was found to be incorrupt.