Father Nathanael of Pskov-Pechersk Monastery: A Portrait Beyond the Pages of “Everyday Saints”

Father Nathanael (Pospelov) became widely known through Metropolitan Tikhon’s (Shevkunov) book Everyday Saints, published in 2011 and translated into many languages. The book portrays him as a strict and somewhat enigmatic treasurer of the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery—a figure misunderstood and even feared by some. Yet, a closer look reveals the depth of his character as a wise and devout ascetic. Saint Simeon (Zhelnin) of Pskov-Pechersk, Father Nathanael’s spiritual mentor, once described him succinctly: “Father Nathanael has Solomon’s wisdom and Elijah’s zeal.” This article offers a deeper exploration of the extraordinary life and spirituality of this revered elder.

“My Whole Life Prepared Me for Monasticism”

Archimandrite Nathanael often remarked that the Lord had been preparing him for monastic life from a young age.

Born Kronid Pospelov in 1920 in Zakolpye, a village in Russia’s Vladimir region, he was the son of a priest. Until the age of eight, his life was uneventful, but hardships soon began to shape his path toward renunciation of the world.

The Pospelov family lived in humble circumstances. Kronid’s father, Archpriest Nikolai Pospelov, often moved due to frequent transfers. From around the age of eight, Kronid rarely saw him. Amid societal disdain for priestly families, young Kronid went to live with his brother in Noginsk, where he attended a mechanical technical school. Later, the school relocated to Moscow. Surviving on a meagre scholarship, Kronid could afford only one proper meal a day, subsisting on bread and sweetened water in the mornings and evenings.

In 1938, tragedy struck. Kronid’s father was arrested on charges of anti-Soviet agitation and counter-revolutionary activity. Less than a month later, Archpriest Nikolai was executed at the Butovo firing range and buried in a mass grave. Decades later, in 2001, the priest-martyr Nikolai Pospelov was glorified as one of the holy new martyrs of Russia.

After graduating, Kronid was conscripted for military service, working at airfields alongside prisoners of war. Wartime conditions were harsh: soldiers endured overcrowded dugouts, minimal rest, freezing temperatures, and limited rations. Despite these trials, the Lord strengthened Kronid’s soul, fostering his spiritual growth.

In 1944, while stationed in Vydropuzhsk, Kronid stayed with Stefan Yurzov’s family. Though space was tight, he happily slept on straw, using books as a pillow and his overcoat for warmth. Kronid gave his rations to the Yurzov children and spent his free time sharing stories and reading his pocket Gospel. He also accessed spiritual books through the local community and read voraciously during night shifts by the light of an oil lamp, preparing his heart for monastic life.

One of the household’s treasures was a miraculous icon of the Mother of God, saved from a destroyed church. Kronid often prayed before it and experienced its grace. On one occasion, distraught over misplacing his rifle—a mistake punishable by death—he prayed fervently before the icon. The next day, he returned with joyous news: not only had he been spared, but he had been reassigned as a clerk.

After the war, Kronid was sent to help rebuild Leningrad. There, he enrolled in newly established pastoral and theological courses but struggled to secure release from military service. Undeterred, he trusted that the Lord would guide him. A leg ailment eventually led to his demobilisation, and miraculously, his health was restored shortly thereafter.

Fearing familial obligations might deter him from his spiritual calling, Kronid decided to go directly to a monastery. Trusting divine providence, he sought guidance from the Metropolitan of Leningrad, who blessed him to join the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery.

Numerous Labours in the Monastery

Kronid Pospelov joined the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery as a novice in March 1947. From the very beginning, his days were filled with hours of demanding work, which he approached with a remarkable combination of diligence and devotion. For him, rest meant shifting between activities—whether mental, physical, solitary, or among people—but always remaining in the presence of God.

Novices typically laboured 12 hours a day in the monastery fields. Kronid developed a unique rhythm, alternating 50 minutes of work with 10 minutes of reading spiritual books. Even after such long days, he willingly stayed in the fields overnight to guard the vegetable gardens.

In the midst of this hard labour, Kronid found solace in prayer to the Mother of God, to whom he was deeply devoted. During particularly challenging times, he would recite the Canon of Supplication to the Most Holy Theotokos, “Distressed by many temptations…” He often advised others to do the same, attesting to its miraculous efficacy through personal experience.

On 8 September 1949, Kronid was tonsured as a monk, receiving the name Nathanael. Hegumen Pimen (Izvekov), the future Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, recognised the young monk’s profound piety, obedience, and humility. Soon after, Father Nathanael was entrusted with leading tours of the monastery and its holy caves for esteemed guests. As always, he approached this task with meticulous preparation, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.

Father Nathanael possessed an exceptional knowledge of liturgical rules, making him a sought-after advisor for resolving complex liturgical matters. After the passing of the monastery choir’s regent, he was tasked with compiling service notes, ensuring the continuation of the monastery’s liturgical traditions. He also took charge of editing and distributing the Pskov-Pechersk Leaflets, which provided spiritual guidance through admonitions, parables, prayers, and biographies of saints.

On 2 April 1950, Father Nathanael was ordained a hierodeacon, and in 1961, he became an archdeacon. From 1956 until his death, he served as the monastery’s treasurer, dedicating himself to its well-being and preservation. He personally managed finances, supervised construction projects, organised the candle shop, collected donations, and directed funds toward charity, always acting in concert with the abbots.

Each week, Father Nathanael ventured into the city to handle administrative tasks such as visiting the tax office. Before leaving, he would notify the duty officer, humorously saying, “I’m going into town to prophesy.” Indeed, his trips were often opportunities for evangelism: he distributed Pechersk Leaflets, offered spiritual advice, and recorded prayer requests from those he met.

On 14 October 1979, during the Feast of the Intercession, Father Nathanael was ordained a hieromonk, and on the Feast of the Annunciation in 1980, he was elevated to archimandrite. Despite his spiritual depth, Father Nathanael took on few spiritual children, citing his own perceived unworthiness as a mentor. However, those under his guidance described it as a profound blessing.

One of his spiritual children, the future Archpriest George Belodurov, once sought Father Nathanael’s advice, lamenting the delay of his ordination. The elder replied: “It is due to your willfulness. You think you are ready, but the Lord sees otherwise. You must learn to surrender your will more often. When I was demobilised, I went to the Leningrad Metropolitan, asking him to send me to a monastery. I was sent here, and since then, I have done nothing by my own will! And because of that, I have never been grieved by anything.” In time, Father George’s ordination came to pass, confirming the elder’s words.

‘Solomon’s Wisdom’

For over 50 years, Father Nathanael faithfully served as the treasurer of the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery, meticulously handling its finances. Remarkably, throughout this period, even during the Soviet era and the turbulent 1990s, no financial authorities ever uncovered violations in his work. This was no small feat, considering the frequent challenges faced by the monastery, including attempts to impose taxes on candles, icons, and donations, as well as demands to introduce cash registers in church kiosks. With calm determination, the elder repelled every attack, relying on his legal acumen and extensive life experience.

Father Nathanael’s wisdom shone in his encounters with officials and visitors. On one occasion, following Yuri Gagarin’s flight into space, a Finnish delegate mockingly asked during a monastery tour, “How is it that Gagarin flew into space but did not see God?” The elder responded calmly: “Gentlemen, I have been to Helsinki, but I did not see the President!”

During another tour, a high-ranking official from Moscow remarked, “I feel sorry for you; you have deprived yourself of family happiness.” Father Nathanael replied with quiet authority, “Family happiness is denied to one who undergoes an operation for five roubles.” (This was a pointed reference to the cost of an abortion at the time.) The woman blushed deeply and remained silent for the rest of the visit.

Father Nathanael’s mind was extraordinary, his speech flowing like a well-written book, enriched with quotations from Scripture, the Holy Fathers, the Typikon, and other sacred sources. So remarkable was his knowledge that one monk doubted its divine origin, suspecting it might come from demonic influence, believing no human could know so much.

Even the rector of the monastery, Archimandrite Alipius, once succumbed to a similar temptation. Summoning Father Nathanael in frustration, he lashed out, saying, “Why are you spoiling my monks? Do you think you’re a saint? You don’t eat, you only work and pray!” The humble elder fell to his knees, pleading, “Do with me as you will! Beat me if you must, but do not send me away from the monastery!” Deeply moved, the rector relented, and Father Nathanael remained in the monastery he loved so dearly.

Here are some of Father Nathanael’s wise sayings:

• “Ignorance is the greatest scourge of our time. If a man knew everything, he would never sin, so the Holy Fathers teach.”
• “When we have Christ in our hearts, we are satisfied with everything: inconvenience feels like the greatest comfort, bitterness becomes sweet, poverty seems like wealth, hunger feels like satiety, and sorrow becomes joy.”
• “The Orthodox Church uses flat images of saints because they cast no shadows, unlike sculptures. That which gives no shadow points to the higher world, where light permeates everything.”
• “Do not abandon your obedience. Save your soul through patience. You may ask for relief, but if it is not blessed, you must compel yourself, for the Kingdom of Heaven is taken by force.”

‘Elijah’s Zeal’

Father Nathanael lived with such modesty, honesty, and chastity that, despite overseeing immense sums of money as treasurer, he paid no attention to his appearance or the decor of his cell. He wore the same threadbare cassock and carried a simple canvas sack slung over his shoulder—equally ready to hold millions in donations or crumbs of bread. His unassuming appearance often drew reproach, as he looked more like a novice than a seasoned elder.

Father Nathanael’s cell was strictly off-limits to nearly everyone, including the abbot. He would often remark, “How nice the hermits lived in caves: no need to scrub floors, shake out carpets, or wash curtains.” His cell reflected his asceticism—strewn with books and documents, lit by a broken switch only he could operate, and furnished with a pile of rags and scraps in place of a bed. His disregard for physical comfort extended to sleep, which he frequently neglected for the sake of his obediences. In Everyday Saints, there is a memorable account of Father Nathanael falling asleep in the snow, calling it an hour of “comfortable” rest.

His rigorous self-discipline extended to eating. At communal meals, he consumed barely a fifth of the food served and never drank tea, only water. Yet, his vigour and energy consistently astonished those around him.

Laypeople and novices at the monastery often found Father Nathanael intimidating. His piercing gaze seemed to look straight through them, and his sharp, edifying remarks could send shivers down their spines. His uncanny ability to appear at the precise moment something was amiss only heightened their apprehension. Yet, it was evident that the elder’s strictness with others stemmed from an even greater severity with himself.

Father Nathanael rarely displayed his spiritual gifts, keeping them carefully hidden. However, Everyday Saints recounts a striking moment when his clairvoyance was revealed to the future Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov). At the time, the novice Georgy was serving a punishment, shovelling snow on Uspenskaya Square, while internally plotting revenge against the rector. As Father Nathanael walked past, he spoke the young man’s very thoughts aloud, leaving him stunned. Then, with a smile, the elder added, “Look, Georgy, impudence has never done anyone any good.”

Despite his stern demeanour, Father Nathanael had a profound love for children. He spiritually guided the diocesan Orthodox secondary school in the Tver region, founded in 1994, where his spiritual daughter Valentina Yurzova taught, as well as three kindergartens. Children often wrote him letters, seeking his blessing or advice on personal matters, and the elder would respond with thoughtful, detailed replies.

Many marveled at how Father Nathanael found the strength and time to fulfil his numerous responsibilities, especially in his later years. Yet, illnesses seemed to avoid him, as though driven away by his unrelenting dedication and the sheer magnitude of his labours.

The Death of a True Soldier of Christ

Despite enduring two strokes, Father Nathanael remained steadfast in his prayers, labours, and responsibilities until his final days. He continued preparing statutory notes, managing the monastery’s treasury, and training his successor with meticulous care. Even confined to his deathbed, he diligently signed documents and payment orders. When doctors suggested that a pacemaker might extend his life, the elder declined, saying, “I don’t want my soul to go to God while my heart keeps fluttering.”

In a remarkable act of divine providence, the same miracle-working icon of the Mother of God of Vydropuzhsk, before which Father Nathanael had prayed during his wartime trials, was brought to the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery for veneration a year before his passing. On the night of its arrival, the icon remained in the infirmary where the elder was recovering from a stroke. In the morning, Archimandrite Nathanael personally accompanied the icon with the brethren to the monastery’s holy gates, bidding farewell to the sacred image that had been a source of strength and comfort throughout his life.

Nearly a year later, on 8 August 2002, Father Nathanael peacefully reposed in the Lord. His burial took place on 10 August, coinciding with the feast of the Vydropuzhskaya Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God.

Memory eternal to Archimandrite Nathanael, whose life exemplifies that the extraordinary ascetic feats of the early Christians remain attainable even in our modern age, through the total renunciation of self and earthly attachments for the love of Christ and the pursuit of His heavenly kingdom.