A humble cook who served the bishops of Turov and, in old age and sickness, was comforted by Sts Boris and Gleb and lived out his days in the monastic life.
Feast Day
June 27
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Venerable Martin of Turov was a 12th-century monastic of the city of Turov in the lands of Rus', remembered for a life of obscure and laborious service rather than public office. For many years he worked as a cook in the household of the bishops of Turov, who resided at the local monastery of Saints Boris and Gleb. His commemoration is kept on June 27.
The synaxarion preserves Martin chiefly through a single account of healing: aged and worn down by his work, he was permitted to remain at the monastery as a monk, and during a grave illness he was relieved through the intercession of Saints Boris and Gleb. His memory illustrates the Orthodox esteem for humble, hidden labor and for the close devotion in Rus' to the passion-bearing princes Boris and Gleb.
Timeline 3 moments
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12th centuryCook to the bishops of TurovMartin served as a cook for the successive Turov bishops Simeon, Ignatius, Joachim (1144-1146), and George, who lived at the monastery of Saints Boris and Gleb.
Old ageTonsured a monkWhen Bishop George directed the aged Martin to retire from his work, he chose instead to accept monasticism at the same monastery of Saints Boris and Gleb.
During his monastic yearsHealing through Saints Boris and GlebFrequently ill from his hard labor, Martin fell gravely sick and called upon Saints Boris and Gleb; according to the account, on the third day they appeared to him, gave him a sip of water, and healed him. He is said to have lived a further year after this.
Contributions & Legacy
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Context: the monastery of Saints Boris and Gleb
The community in which Martin served and was later tonsured was dedicated to Saints Boris and Gleb, the sons of Prince Vladimir of Kiev who were killed in 1015 and venerated as passion-bearers for refusing to resist violence with violence. They were among the first saints glorified in Rus', and their cult was widespread in the twelfth through fourteenth centuries.
Martin's appeal to Boris and Gleb in his sickness reflects this devotion: the princes were invoked as protectors and healers, and the account of Martin's relief is preserved as one expression of their veneration in the region of Turov.
