SILOUAN, STARETS

SILOUAN, STARETS, spiritual father (1866–1938). Silouan was a twentieth-century starets, or spiritual father (q.v.), a title given to Christians of spiritual accomplishment who are sought out as guides to the life in Christ. He was noted for his great strength in prayer and moving humility (qq.v.). His life, The Monk of Mt. Athos, written by his disciple, Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov (q.v.), has been translated into many languages. He died at the Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon on Mt. Athos, and was canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarch (qq.v.) in 1989.