Barlaam of Kiev
Barlaam of Kiev was the first abbot of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, serving together with St. Anthony of Kiev. He is regarded as a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church, with a feast day of 19 November.
Biography
Barlaam was born sometime between the late 10th century and early 11th century to a boyar.He was tonsured a monk against the wishes of his father by St. Nikon of the Kiev Caves.
In 1058, he built a wooden church dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos with the blessing of St. Anthony.
Barlaam made 2 pilgrimages in his life, first to the Holy Land in 1062, followed by a second pilgrimage to Constantinople afterwards.
Soon after his second pilgrimage, Barlaam died in 1065 in the Zymne Monastery. He was buried on his orders in the Caves of St. Anthony.