Reverend Isaiah Rostovski

The future bishop was born near Kiev, and with all his soul he took faith in Christ from his parents. Very young decided to retire from the world and cut his hair in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. He led a life of “angels”, was meek, helpful, brotherly. He devoted a lot of time to prayer and fasting. Killed the flesh. Struggling with pagan vestiges.

For virtue, wisdom and ardent faith he was appointed abbot of the Dmitrov monastery.

In 1078 he was raised to the episcopal see in Rostov. It should be remembered that Christianity in Russia at that time existed less than 100 years, paganism was strong and many people were not baptized. Isaiah took this situation as a challenge. He traveled incessantly and with a verb burned the hearts of men. Pagans were baptized by dozens. The joy of the saint and of the temples burned. He destroyed them without mercy and built temples in their place. For such activity, the bishop was called the Apostle of Rostov.

At this time, the Assumption Church was built in Rostov, where a miraculous icon from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was placed. And when the time came to illuminate the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Lavra, Metropolitan John was very sad that, due to the long distances, few bishops would be able to come. What a surprise he was when Isaiah of Rostov arrived and told an amazing story. A young man came to him, from whom the light came and ordered him to go to Kiev without delay. The bishop did not dare to disobey and managed just in time for the consecration of the temple. The bishop died after 13 years of service in Rostov. The people mourned him with sorrow.

And in 1164, the wooden church burned down, in its place they decided to build a stone cathedral. During the digging of the pit, the relics of Saint Isaiah were found. However, for a long time they were not taken care of. Only in the 15th century, the relics were moved to a new coffin, placed at the southern doors and began to be revered as a saint.

Remembrance days