Ladislaus was born to a poor and pious family in the the Kingdom of Haense in a small farming village. Ladislaus’ father Simeon was a pious, stern and honorable man, from whom Ladislaus learned the importance of service and devotion to Godani, nation, and family. His mother Ludmila was a pious, kind and meek woman who would often read Ladislaus the lives of the saints – it is from this that he obtained his love for the saints and the study of their lives. Ladislaus was raised alongside four siblings Pyotr, Igor, Sergius and Vilko whom he loves very much and would defend with his life. Due to his introverted nature Ladislaus had few friends growing up and preferred reading over socializing.
By the time Ladislaus was five his mother had taught him to read and by the time he was six Ladislaus began studying the lives of the saints. In particular he enjoyed the life of St. Adrian of Leuvaarden, from a young age dreaming of becoming a great dogmatist and political philosopher like his hero St. Adrian. By the time he was fifteen he had read the various treatises of St. Adrian and the theological treatises of St. Sixtus IV of Felsen. Unfortunately however, his academic life was cut short when he was drafted into the army at age sixteen, serving dutifully for two years.
After he was released from military service at the age of eighteen he again set his eyes on the academy. Ladislaus, with the support of his local priest and the money he had obtained during military service, enrolled in university and began studying the great works in the fields of philosophy, political philosophy, mathematics, theology, science, and history. During his time at university Ladislaus was placed under obedience to an Elder named Ambrosiy who instructed Ladislaus to leave the university after two years of study and take up pilgrimage in order to find his brother Vilko. With nothing but the clothes on his back, twelve days of food, a bag of books, and the prayer “Godani, have mercy on me, a sinner” Ladislaus set out to the countryside of Hanseti-Ruska in order to join his long lost brother in ascetic struggle.
