by Vladislav DARKEVICH, Dr. Sc. (Hist.), RAS Institute of Archeology page 103 This ancient cloister stands on a green hill between two lakes-Borodavskoye and Paskoye- with the Paska River flowing between them. The site is located in the Belozerye region (from Lake Belozero, literally "white lake") some 20 kilometers from the old Russian town of Kirillov of the Vologda Region, far from any traditional trade routes by land or by water. Tall trees growing around the white monastery churches obstruct them from an intrusive stare, exposing to view only the domes and the cupolas. The clear surface of the lake is specked with small isles, overgrown with green groves of trees. Back in the 15th century this was the "holy land" of saintly recluses, or "desert" fathers. Hermits dwelled in secluded sketes and huts scattered around big cloisters. Their dedication was teaching a life of silent prayer of the heart and they also cherished the principles of non-possession as one of the main behests of St. Kirill (*). The cloister on Lake Borodavskoye was founded by one of friends and close associates of the saint, Monk Ferapont, in 1399. This holy father, according to his Life, was born in the town of Volokolamsk near Moscow into the family of the noblemen Poskochins. The youth, whose secular name was Feodor, secretly left the parents' house and withdrew to the Simonov Monastery near Moscow where he begged the Father Superior to let him take monastic vows. He was professed with the name of Ferapont after which the young monk took upon himself all of the most difficult chores in the monastery, while subduing his bodily lusts with fasting and thus fortifying his spirit. While in the Trinity-St. Sergiy Lavra, he was able to listen to the exhortations of the great Russian Patron Saint-St. Sergiy of Radonezh. The Father Superior of the cloister, impressed with the ardour of the young monk, sent him on a pilgrimage to the distant land of Belozerye where he travelled alone and on foot ... Читать далее