The monks lacked virtually everything: food, clothing, wine for the liturgy, wax for candles, and oil for lamps (torches were lit in their place). Bark was used instead of parchment for books. They ate and drink from wooden vessels, which they made with their own hands. In this time of want, according to Sergius’s companions, his prayers began to bring about miracles. For example, after the abbot’s fervent prayer, a spring of cold water sprung from the earth near the monastery (before this, the brothers had to fetch water from far away with great difficulty).