[German Version]

(Nikolai Maikov; 1433, Moscow – 1508, Nil Sorsky hermitage monastery on the White Sea), Russian saint. As scion of a noble Muscovite family, Nil Sorsky began a bureaucratic career at the court of the grand duke, but soon entered the monastery of St. Cyril on the White Sea. During a lengthy stay on Mount Athos, he became familiar with Hesychasm. After his return he founded a hermitage (skit) on the Sora not far from his home monastery. His Hesychast piety attracted many followers. They cultivated their own asceticism with their own rhythm …