Saint Maximus is from an ancient family in the Peloponnese (islands in Greece). He was born in 1470 AD. He went to Italy and studied with famous teachers. She became a monk in the Vatopedi Monastery on the Holy Mountain (Athos). He was distinguished by his humility and caution. He devoted most of his time to study and meditation. Ten years later, he was sent to Russia at the invitation of Grand Prince Basilius Ivanovich. His mission was to transfer liturgical books to the Slavic language.

The Russian people at that time were in ignorance, especially after the Tatar invasions. The spiritual hunger was intense. Despite the resistance of some, Maximus achieved something good. He was obliged to remain in Russia to further translate and revise liturgical books and educate people. His fame spread, and some Russian monks envied him. Unknowingly, he found himself in the middle of a conflict over monastic endowments. He was later accused of conspiring against the prince and was sentenced by a church court in 1525 AD. With heresy.

He was exiled to a monastery, suffering from cold and hunger. His enemies treated him harshly. He was deprived of everything. However, he wrote theological articles. He was transferred to a monastery in Tver. Despite all the difficulties he found himself in, he continued his theological work and wrote many articles. In his last days, he was transferred to the Lavra of the Holy Trinity - Saint Sergius, where he enjoyed freedom of movement.

He continued his literary production until he died in the Lord on January 21, 1556, at the age of eighty-six. Saint Maximus is the most fertile writer in ancient Russia. He worked to repel Western intellectual trends and convey to the Russian people the treasures of the spirit and church literature. Shortly after his death, he was honored as a martyr and considered an enlightener for Russia.

The Holy Church returns to him on January 21.