According to Theophanes of Vatopedi, Maximos was born
Manuel (his baptismal name) into an aristocratic family in
Lampsacus, a town on the
Hellespont. He was born sometime between 1272 and 1285. Maximos then settled at the
Great Lavra. During his time there, he experienced three divine visions from the Virgin Mary, who told Maximos to ascend the summit of Mount Athos. After the third vision, Maximos finally obeyed and climbed up to the summit of
Mount Athos, where he spent three days before receiving a vision of the Virgin Mary, who told him to remain on Mount Athos. Thus began around ten years of wandering. Maximos lived an austere life, mostly as a recluse in crude shelters, moving from time to time to seek further seclusion. He wore only a single piece of clothing, lived on a diet of wild nuts and berries, and would regularly burn down his hut as he moved on to new locations. His habit of burning his old hut when it was time to move resulted in his nickname "The Hut-Burner." At Mount Athos, he was a close associate of
Gregory of Sinai. During his life, he was held in high repute as a holy man and spiritual adviser, admired for his austerity, and a reputation for clairvoyance, prophecy, healing, and exorcizing demons. Legend had him seen flying in the air, turning seawater into drinking water, and more. Circa 1350, the Byzantine emperors
John VI Kantakouzenos and
John V Palaiologos visited Maximos. Kallistos subsequently journeyed on to Serbia, where he then died. During his final years, Maximos gave his hut to
Niphon Kausokalybites and moved closer to the
Great Lavra so that he could hear its bells. At his request, he was buried in a grave that he dug himself. The present-day skete of
Kapsokalyvia is named after him. In spite of his desire for seclusion and obscurity, four writers later wrote
vitae on his life and teachings. These include
The Life of Maximos by Theophanes and a
vitae by his disciple Niphon Kausokalybites. == Hagiographies ==