The Monk Arseny was born in Moscow in the second half of the XV century in the boyar family of Sakharusov. From his youth, striving to devote himself to God, he left worldly life and took monastic vows at the Trinity Monastery, founded by St. Sergius of Radonezh.
The young monk diligently performed obediences, willingly worked for others, combining fasting and prayer with reading and rewriting spiritual books. In 1506, he rewrote the Gospel, leaving a humble inscription on it.: "Arsenyishko Sakharusov, a sinful black man, wrote the Gospel."
In 1525, the brethren unanimously elected Arseny abbot. Having accepted the abbacy out of obedience, he maintained his former austerity of life: he wore old clothes, took care of the brethren, and worked harder than others. Even Grand Duke Vasily Ioannovich, who visited the monastery, was surprised by the poverty of his vestments. However, honor and numerous worries burdened the ascetic, who desired solitary prayer.
In the late 1520s, the monk secretly left the monastery and went to the Vologda forests. After long wanderings, he settled in the Komelsky forest, at the confluence of the Lezha and Kokhtysh rivers. Here the saint built a small cell and devoted himself to labor and prayer. But the locals, fearing the appearance of the monastery and the loss of land, began to oppress the hermit. After the murder of the elder who lived with him, Arseny retired to the Shilogon forest.
Gradually, the new location of his exploits became known to people. People came to the monk for spiritual advice, and some stayed by his side, desiring a monastic life under his guidance. So a new desert arose. Arseny received those who came with fatherly love and taught them to love God and their neighbors. In 1538, during a devastating raid, the surrounding inhabitants found refuge in the forests near the monastery. According to the testimony of the life, they remained unharmed by the prayers of the saint.
Later, the monk returned to the Komelsky forest with his disciple Gerasim. Having received a princely charter protecting the monastery from harassment, the monks began to clear the land and set up a monastic household. In 1541, a church was consecrated here in honor of the Position of the Robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Blachernae. This is how the Komel Monastery of the Ordination of the Sacrament arose.
The saint instructed the brethren and laity, visited the surrounding villages, preached the word of God, and called for honesty, prayer, and observance of Christian commandments. His life preserved stories about the ascetic's perspicacity and miraculous help through his prayers.
Anticipating his demise, the monk appointed Gerasim as his successor and bequeathed the brethren to love each other and keep the monastic rules. Having received communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, he died peacefully on August 24, 1550. He was buried near the altar of the monastery church. Soon, healings began to be performed at the tomb of the saint. The memory of St. Arseny has been preserved as an example of humility, prayer, and active love for others.