Archimandrite Sophrony, in the world Sergey Semyonovich Sakharov, was born on September 22, 1896, in Moscow and passed away on July 11, 1993, in Tolleshunt Knights, Maldon, Essex, England. He was a clergyman of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, a schemamonk, a disciple and biographer of Silouan of Athos, and the founder of the Stavropegial Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Maldon, Essex, England.

On November 27, 2019, the Ecumenical Patriarchate canonized him among the ranks of the saints. Nun Silouan (Gulyaeva, 1953-2017) wrote about him: "He saw Christ in every person and incredibly respected the individuality of others. Just two minutes after our first conversation in 1988, Father Sophrony became the number one person in my life." His personality left a deep impression on everyone around him. In the monastery, it seemed that all its inhabitants, spiritual giants, were equal to Father Sophrony.

The main assertion in his theology, which had practical application, was: even if passions overwhelm you, perceive this as part of the common human sorrow. Do not close yourself off from passion, but turn to the Lord for help. Mother Silouan noted that Father Sophrony was not closed off like many monks and warned that such closure is associated with the fear of mistakes, which can lead to the rejection of the Holy Spirit.

Father Sophrony was an astonishingly loving person who remained steadfastly devoted, regardless of circumstances. Everyone who knew him felt a special relationship and love that extended to all. In addition to his spiritual service, he was a representative of the Russian intelligentsia of the early 20th century, which was evident in his gestures, intonations, and speech patterns.

The liturgy for the elder was the center of the Universe, and serving it in Essex left an impression of heavenly presence, filled with universal silence. In 2019, Blessed Sophrony was glorified by the Church among the saints alongside four other contemporary Athonite elders: Daniel of Katounakia, Hieronymus of Simonopetra, Joseph the Hesychast, and Ephraim of Katounakia. Today, Father Sophrony's monastery in Essex, England, and his vision of monasticism serve as an example for many other monastic communities in the West.