When our venerable fathers Anthony, Theodosius, and Nikon engaged in ascetic struggles in the cave, the blessed Barlaam became a worthy monastery abbot. He was born to noble and pious parents—his father was John, the first boyar of Prince Iziaslav, and his mother was Maria. Barlaam was the grandson of the renowned and valiant Vyshata and the great-grandson of the voivode Ostromir.

In his youth, he shone with physical strength and purity of soul. Greatly loving these venerable fathers, he desired to live with them, abandoning all worldly attachments, counting neither wealth nor glory as anything of value. He was deeply moved by the words of the Lord he had heard: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:24).

One day, he came to Venerable Anthony and revealed his thoughts, saying, “Father, if it be pleasing to God, I desire to become a monk and live with you.” The elder replied, “Your desire is good, my child and your thought is filled with grace. Yet beware, lest the wealth and glory of this world draw you back. For, as the Lord said, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God’ (Luke 9:62).”

Then Barlaam removed his noble’s garments, laying them at the feet of Venerable Anthony. He also placed horses laden with riches before him, saying, “Father, here are all the treasures and vanities of this world. Do with them as you will. As for me, ‘I have counted all things as loss for the sake of Christ’ (Phil. 3:8). I wish to live with you in this cave and will not return to my home.”

Anthony responded, “Consider, my child, to whom you are making this promise and whose soldier you desire to become. Invisible angels of God stand here, bearing witness to your vow. Take heed, lest your father come with great force to take you away against your will, and we`ll be unable to help you. In such a case, you would stand before God as a liar and an apostate.” Barlaam replied, “I trust in my God, Father, that even if my father seeks to torment me, I will not return to worldly life. I only ask you to tonsure me quickly.”

Venerable Anthony then instructed Blessed Nikon to tonsure him and clothe him in the monastic habit. After offering the customary prayers, Nikon tonsured Barlaam and clothed him in monastic garb.

When John, the boyar, learned that his beloved son had been tonsured a monk in the cave, he became enraged with the venerable fathers. Taking many servants, he stormed the cave, scattering the holy flock and dragging out his son Barlaam. He tore the sacred monastic mantle from him and cast it aside, ordering his hands to be bound. Barlaam was dressed in secular clothes and led through the city to his home.

However, aflame with a true love for God, Barlaam, upon passing a manure heap, immediately threw himself into it. With God’s help, he shed the worldly garment and trampled it underfoot in filth, symbolically rejecting the evil thoughts of the cunning enemy.

When they reached the house, his father compelled him to sit beside him at the table, but Barlaam, though forced to sit, ate nothing and bowed his head. After the meal, his father sent him to his quarters, appointing servants to guard him lest he escape. He commanded his son’s wife to adorn herself with finery to entice and serve him.

But Barlaam, a faithful servant of Christ, entered one of the chambers and sat in a corner. Following her instructions, his wife walked before him, urging him to lie on the bed. Seeing her brazenness and realising his father’s scheme, he prayed fervently in his heart to the All-Merciful God to deliver him from this temptation. For three days, he remained seated, refusing food, wearing only a hair shirt, and praying unceasingly.

Meanwhile, Venerable Anthony and the brothers in the cave mourned greatly for him, praying fervently to God on his behalf.

The Lord heard their prayers, as it is written: “The righteous cry and the Lord hears them, and delivers them from all their troubles” (Ps. 33:17). Seeing the patience and humility of Blessed Barlaam, God softened his father’s hardened heart. When John learned that his son had neither eaten nor changed clothes for three days, he was moved with pity, fearing his son might die of hunger and cold. He summoned Barlaam and, after bidding him a tender farewell, allowed him to return to the cave.

What followed was an extraordinary scene of lamentation, as if for the dead. John and Maria wept bitterly for their son, whom they had lost; his wife mourned inconsolably over her separation from him, and their servants wailed for their departed master. With tears, they all escorted him back to the cave. Barlaam, like a bird freed from the snare of the fowler, soon reached the cave.

When the venerable fathers saw him, they rejoiced greatly, glorifying God, who had heard their prayers.

When the brotherhood in the cave grew to twelve, Venerable Anthony, recognising Barlaam’s great spiritual strength, appointed him as abbot in his place. Anthony, desiring solitude and silence, moved to another hill and dug a cave, where he lived in prayerful communion with God.

Barlaam, now abbot, laboured even more fervently in ascetic struggles. He undertook a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem, visited the sacred places, and returned to his monastery. Later, he travelled to Constantinople, where he visited many monasteries and acquired items for the needs of his community.

While returning, he fell gravely ill near the city of Vladimir. Entering the monastery there, called Holy Mountain, he reposed in the Lord, instructing his companions to take his body to the Pechersk Monastery and deliver the items he had obtained to Venerable Theodosius. His wishes were faithfully carried out.

At the time of the publication of Teraturgima (1638), maps indicate that his relics rested on the right side of the underground Annunciation Church of the Near Caves. Later maps, including those of the Patericon (1661) and I. Herbinius (1675), show his relics in a separate tomb nearby.

By 1703, an underground church dedicated to Venerable Barlaam was built at the site, housing his relics. His memory is honoured separately on December 2 (November 19, Old Style), the feast day of Holy Martyr Barlaam.