The Holy Martyrs Gregory and Kassian of Avnezh lived in the 14th century and were disciples of St. Stephen of Mahrishch, a tonsured monk of the Kiev Caves Lavra.
Gregory was a literate and well-read man, who had previously owned land near the Makhrish monastery. Often visiting St. Stephen, he fell in love with the monastic life, donated his estate to the monastery and took vows himself. Saint Stephen brought him closer to himself, seeing in him a zealous disciple, and subsequently Gregory was ordained a presbyter.
When St. Stephen was persecuted by neighboring landowners, he left the Makhrish monastery and went north with Gregory. After a long journey, they reached the remote Vologda forests near the Avnegi river. Here, in 1370, they founded a monastery: they built a church in the name of the Holy Trinity, then the church of the Great Martyr George and a cell for the brethren.
Soon, people who wanted a monastic life began to come to the ascetics. Konstantin Dmitrievich, a local landowner, provided great help to the new monastery. He generously donated to the construction of churches and monasteries, and then he left the world, took vows with the name Cassian and was entrusted to the spiritual leadership of Gregory. Gregory and Cassian became faithful disciples of St. Stephen and an example for the brethren.
The Avnezh monastery quickly became established and became famous in the surrounding area. Her fame reached Moscow. Grand Duke Dimitri Ioannovich, having learned about the new monastery of St. Stephen, sent donations, but ordered the elder himself to return to the Makhrish monastery. When leaving Avnega, the Monk Stephen appointed Gregory abbot, and entrusted Cassian with the cellarer ministry, commanding them to keep order and take care of the brethren.
In 1392, the Vologda lands were attacked by groups of Vyatchan and Kazan Tatars. On June 15, they suddenly ravaged the Avnezh monastery and set it on fire. Many escaped, but the Venerable Gregory and Cassian were martyred. A few days later, the locals buried their bodies in the ashes of the monastery church. Over time, the site of the former monastery became desolate and overgrown with forest.
More than a century later, in 1524, the peasant Gabriel began to clear the forest at this place, but noticed that a small piece of land covered with dry forest and brushwood remained untouched by fire. Later, another peasant, Theodore, who settled here, began to see lights like burning candles at night. Deciding that there was a treasure hidden there, he dug up the ground and found two completely intact coffins. In a dream, an elder in priestly robes appeared to him, who called himself Gregory, and ordered a church to be built on this site in the name of the Great Martyr George.
Soon miracles and healings began to take place at the tombs of the Holy martyrs. In 1560, with the blessing of St. Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow, the testimonies of the sainthood of Gregory and Cassian were collected. Two churches were built on the site of the chapel — in the name of the Holy Trinity and the Great Martyr George. During the examination of the relics of the saints, they were found incorruptible.
The memory of the Holy Martyrs Gregory and Cassian of Avnezh is celebrated on June 15. Their lives remind us of their loyalty to their spiritual mentor, humility, love for monastic asceticism, and willingness to preserve their faith even to the point of martyrdom.