Holy Hierarch Stephen, Bishop of Great Perm

Stephen was born in Ustyug, the son of a church reader, became a monk and was ordained a hieromonk. Learning that the Perm lands (Komi) were still pagan, he gained the blessing of the church authorities and the grand prince's letters of protection and went there to preach. He learned the language and, about 1372, devised a Permian alphabet, translating the main liturgical books.

He burned a sacred shrine of the local idols and, according to his Life, was left untouched by an angry crowd. Many were baptized, and he founded churches and schools to train local clergy. He was consecrated first bishop of Perm in 1383 and died in Moscow on 26 April 1396.