Archbishop Evdokim was born Basil Mikhailovich Meschersky on April 1, 1869, in the Vladimir diocese. From his youth he was an active participant in church life, participating in his home parish where his father was a reader. He attended the Moscow Theological Academy, graduating in 1894. After graduating he received his monastic tonsure and the name Evdokim and was ordained deacon and then priest. Hieromonk Evdokim continued his theological studies at the Moscow Academy, receiving a Master of Theology degree. At the same time he was appointed Inspector of the Novgorod Seminary.