Igumenia Barbara (Trofimova)

Abbess Varvara (Trofimova; 1930-2011) - a renowned 20th-century ascetic. Mother Varvara embodies an entire era of Russian women's monasticism. She was rightfully called the Abbess of All Rus'. For more than fifty years she lived as a nun, of which for more than forty years she bore the heavy cross of the Abbess of the Pyokhti Monastery.The Pyokhti Monastery was the only women's monastery that was not closed during the Soviet era, from whose walls came the majority of the abbesses of women's monasteries in various dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church. In the Pyokhti Monastery, genuine Christian love, kindness, hospitality, and spiritual nobility were combined with deep monastic practice - unceasing prayer.Bishop Tikhon (Shevkunov) of Yegorevsk, Vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', administrator of the Moscow Sretensky Stavropigeios Monastery, spoke of Mother Varvara: "Wisdom and humility, sincere simplicity in everything - that is what was striking about her. And also - a striving for beauty. In the church, in the monastery garden, in the livestock yard - everywhere her care extended. But most importantly - her striving for beauty in the souls of the sisters entrusted to her by God...".The book in the "In Defense of the Faith" series presents a brief biography of Abbess Varvara, memories of people who knew her, teachings, and advice.Recommended for publication by the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. Compiled by - Olga Rozhneva.