Pafnutiy Borovskiy, known in the world as Parfeniy, was born in the village of Kudino in the Borovsk district. He was the grandson of the Tatar baskak Martin, who converted to Orthodoxy. Pafnutiy's parents, Ioann and Fotiniya, were distinguished by their piety.

In 1414, Parfeniy took monastic vows under the name Pafnutiy at the Pokrovsky Monastery on Vysokoye. He became a disciple of Nikita Serpukhovskiy, who was a follower of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Later, Pafnutiy himself became a mentor to Joseph of Volokolamsk, a notable church figure.

In 1444, Pafnutiy founded a monastery near Borovsk, at the place where the Isterma River flows into the Protva. His monastic feat lasted over 63 years. Two literary works about his life have been preserved, written by his disciples: "The Life of St. Pafnutiy of Borovsk" by Vassian (Sanin), Bishop of Rostov, and "The Tale of the Death of St. Pafnutiy of Borovsk" by Elder Innocent.

Pafnutiy was canonized at the Makaryev Council in 1547. The Orthodox Church commemorates St. Pafnutiy of Borovsk on May 1 (14). In Borovsk, near the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on Vysokoye, a bronze monument in his honor was unveiled on October 13, 2016.