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Stephen is believed to have been born in the town of Ustiug about 1340, into the family of Simeon who was among the [[clergy]] of the Ustiug [[cathedral]]. According to [[church]] tradition his mother was a Komi woman. From childhood, Stephen showed great abilities and a zeal for the services of the church. He learned to read the [[Holy Scriptures]] within a year and also served as a canonarch and [[reader]].
At a young age Stephen entered the [[monastery]] of St Gregory the Theologian in Rostov where he used its extensive library to increase his knowledge of Christianity, particularly in studying the Holy Scriptures and the Greek language. He learned the Greek language so that he could read the scriptures in their original language. He soon received a [[monasticism|monastic]] [[tonsure]]. Having grown up with the pagan Zyrian people he became inspired with the desire of bringing them to Christ. To do so Stephen formulated a Zyrian (Permic) alphabet using Slavonic and Greek letters, since he wanted to bring Christ to them in their own language, . He then translated a number liturgical books using the Permic alphabet. At this time he was [[ordination|ordained]] to the rank of [[hierodeacon]] by Bp. Arsenius of Rostov.
In 1379, hierodeacon Stephen traveled to Moscow to see Bp. Gerasimus of Kolomna to receive his permission to teach the holy faith to the people of Perm. The [[bishop]] agreed and ordained Stephen as a [[hieromonk]] and provided him with an [[antimension]], [[holy chrism]], and service books. Thus prepared Stephen began his mission among the Zariane, along the Vyahegda and Vym rivers.