| Saint Barlaam | |
|---|---|
| Born | Novgorod, Russia |
| Died | 6 November 1192 Khutyn, Veliky Novgorod, Russia |
| Honored in | Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | 6 November (Roman Catholic Church) |
Barlaam of Khutyn (Russian: Варлаам Хутынский), also known as Varlaam, was a hermit. Born Alexis Milchalevich to a wealthy family from Novgorod. After the death of his parents, he became a hermit on the Volga and handed all of his inheritance to the poor. At this time he had gained many followers. So great were their numbers that he founded a monastery, the Khutyn Monastery of Saviour's Transfiguration, and took the name of Barlaam (Varlaam). He died on 6 November 1192, his grave has become a site for pilgrimage.[1]
Varlaam is famous for healing the Grand Prince Vasily (from a family of Riazan boyars) when the last was visiting Novgorod. Later he became a patron of the Vologda city.