Saint Vasa of Pskov

Vassa of Pskov is a 15th-century Russian Orthodox saint. She was the wife of Saint John, the builder of the Pskov-Caves Monastery. She died as a nun around 1473 and was buried in the Pskov-Caves Monastery. Venerable Vassa, who bore the name Maria in the world, was selfless in her love for her husband, children, and neighbors. After some time, Mother Maria fell ill and was tonsured as a nun with the name Vassa. According to the monastery chronicle, she was the first person in the history of the Pskov-Caves Monastery to receive the monastic habit there. The first miracle in the monastery occurred over her at the very beginning of its founding. When the nun Vassa died, a grave was prepared for her in a cave. According to her hagiography, the night after the nun was buried, her coffin was pulled out of the ground by an invisible force. The confessor of Father John and Vassa, thinking that something had been missed in the funeral rites, performed the service over the deceased a second time and, after praying for permission, lowered her back into the same grave. However, the next night, Vassa's coffin was once again found on top of the grave. After this, John left her coffin unburied and placed it on the left side at the entrance to the cave, having carved out only the necessary space in the wall. During one of the Livonian attacks on the Pskov-Caves Monastery, a bold knight dared to desecrate the holy tomb containing the saint's relics. He attempted to open the lid of the coffin with his sword, but was suddenly struck by Divine fire emanating from within. A scorch mark remains on the right side of the coffin, which has emitted a wonderful fragrance to this day. The relics of the Venerable Vassa rest in the caves next to the relics of the Venerable Mark and the monk Jonah. The Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Vassa on March 18 (31).