Ivan Dmitrievich Pavlov was born September 8, 1919, in Makovskiye Vyselki, Ryazan Oblast, to a peasant family.
In one of the most bloody days[1] lieutenant Pavlov found among the ruins the Gospel, opened, started reading and took it as a sign from above.
Having finished the seminary, he studied at the Moscow Theological Academy and in 1953 took postrig[2] becoming a monk, refusing the glory and awards.
Father Cyril lived at Trinity-Sergius lavra and became brotherly spiritual guide to the monks.
Until his death father Cyril lived in Peredelkino, in the residence of the Holy Patriarch of all Russia Aleksy II.