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Stephen of Perm

71 bytes added, 15:45, October 24, 2012
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At a young age Stephen entered the [[monastery]] of St Gregory the Theologian in Rostov, where he used its extensive library to increase his knowledge of Christianity, particularly in studying the Holy Scriptures and the Greek language. He learned Greek language so that he could read the Scriptures in their original language. He soon received [[monasticism|monastic]] [[tonsure]]. Having grown up with the pagan Zyrian people, he became inspired to bring them to Christ. To do so, Stephen formulated a Zyrian (Permic) alphabet using Slavonic and Greek letters, since he wanted to bring Christ to them in their own language. He then translated a number of liturgical books using this Permic alphabet. At this time he was [[ordination|ordained]] to the rank of [[hierodeacon]] by Bp. Arsenius of Rostov.
In 1379, Hierodeacon Stephen traveled to Moscow to see Bp. Gerasimus of Kolomna to receive his permission to teach the Holy Faith to the people of Perm. The [[bishop]] agreed, ordained Stephen as a [[hieromonk]], and provided him with an [[antimension]], holy [[holy chrism]], and service books. Thus prepared, Stephen began his mission among the Zariane, along the Vyahegda and Vym rivers.
For the next seventeen years as a missionary Stephen worked with [[humility]] and kindness among the Zariane, bringing enlightenment to them. Slowly he was able to convert many of the Zyrians, but not without adversity. One pagan priest, Pam, was greatly influential in keeping many from [[baptism]]. In their debates, the pagan priest finally challenged Stephen to walk through fire and water as a test of whose faith was better. Not expecting Stephen to agree, Pam was taken aback when Stephen immediately directed the people to burn a building and offered his hand to Pam so that they could walk together through the fire. But Pam refused, even with urging by the Zyrians. The upset people were ready to kill Pam. Stephen intervened and insisted only that Pam be exiled forever. The result was that many Zyrians became Christians.
The interests of his flock remained in the forefront of his activities. In 1396, Stephen again traveled to Moscow concerning the affairs of the Zyrainians. There he became ill and died on [[April 26]], 1396. Although deeply lamented by his flock, his body was kept in Moscow and buried in the Kremlin. The place of his burial has been noted as either in the Church of the Transfiguration or the ''Spass na Boru'' Church of the Saviour at the Forest.
The process of glorification of Stephen began shortly after his death. By the early fifteenth century a ''Life of Stephen'' had been written. A service for him was written by the Hieromonk Pachomius the Serb. The Hieromonk [[Epiphanius the Wise]], who was a disciple of St Sergius of Radonezh, wrote a ''Panegyric to Saint Stephen of Perm'' which praises Stephen for his [[evangelism|evangelical]] activities.
==Troparion (Tone 4)==
[[Category: Priests]]
[[Category: Bishops]]
[[Category:14th-century bishops]]
[[Category:14th-century saints]]

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