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==Life==
Vasily Grigorievich Sokolovsky-Avtonomov was born in the village of Senkovka in the Poltava Province of Russia on [[December 31]], 1852. His father was a [[priest]] in the village. He attended the Poltava [[Seminary]] and then advanced on to the [[Kazan Theological [[Academy]]. His studies improved upon his gift for linguistics and music. After graduating from the academy, he was appointed assistant supervisor of the Poltava Ecclesiastical School on [[July 26]], 1878. He was [[tonsure]]d a [[monk]] and given the name Vladimir on [[September 29]], 1878, followed by his [[ordination]] to the [[diaconate]] on the following [[October 1]], and then to the priesthood on [[October 3]], 1878. Fr. Vladimir led a highly ascetical life, maintaining a strict and sparse vegetarian diet.
On [[January 14]], 1879, Fr. Vladimir was assigned as an assistant to Fr. [[Nicholas of Japan|Nicholas Kasatkin]], the future St. Nicholas, Enlightener of Japan. With Fr. Vladimir's proficiency in languages he was assigned as dean of the Russian language school in Tokyo. The language school would become part of the Tokyo seminary which was to produce many Japanese linguists and scholars.
