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[[Image:StNilusOfSora.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Nilus of Sora]]
'''Nilius Nilus of Sora''', also '''Nil Sorsky''' and '''Nil Sorski''', in Russian: Нил Сорский, was a leader in the establishment in Russia of [[skete]] style [[monasticism]] in the fifteenth century and of a movement that opposed ecclesiastic ownership of land, a movement known as ''non-possessors''. While not formally glorified, he is venerated as a [[saint]] in the Church of Russia. His [[feast day]] is on the anniversary of his death on [[May 7]].
==Life==
Born to the world around the year 1443 as Nikolai Maikov (in Russian: Николай Майков), Nilus was probably of peasant origin. While some writers have attributed to him noble origins, he described himself as ''poselyanin'' (rural inhabitant). Little is known of his early years. The chronology of his life and travels are sketchy. He entered monastic life early and was [[tonsure]]d while still a youth. He joined the [[monastery]] of St [[Cyril of White Lake|Cyril of Belozersk ]] (White Lake) whose founder Cyril of Beloozero was known to be hostile toward monastic landownership, and who had rejected villages offered to him by devout nobles.
It is not known how long he stayed at Belozersk, but he departed at some point and traveled with his disciple, Innocent (who became St Innocent of Komel), to [[Mount Athos]] in Greece where they were accepted into the Russian monastery. At Athos, Nilus began years of dedicated reading, translation, and study of the church fathers. Also, at Athos he further developed his practice of “mental prayer”, with the Jesus Prayer the center of his contemplative devotion. He is thought to have visited nearby monasteries before returning again to the St Cyril monastery in Russia where he put into use the spirit of Greek monasticism. He built a cell outside the cloister, but found his devotions and contemplations were constantly interrupted by people seeking his advice and company. So, he moved further from the monastery.
[[Category: Russian Saints]]
[[Category: Monastics]]
[[ro:Nil Sorski]]