No one in the world knows the name of an inquisitive, intelligent boy. But his monastic name is Theodosius, known to every Orthodox as the name of the founder of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
Although Theodosius was born near Kiev, his childhood was spent in Kursk, where his father served as a tiun (manager). At the age of 7, the boy began to learn literacy, which he mastered easily and perfectly. Theodosius read the lives of the saints and in his heart matured the decision to devote his life to the service of the Lord. When the boy was 13 years old, his father died. The mother did not like her son’s desire to abandon the world. She hoped that he would follow her father’s example and be her support in old age. On this basis they had quarrels.
At the age of 14, Feodosius joined the pilgrims going to Kiev. There he tried to enter the monastery, but was refused everywhere because of his young age.
Hearing about the man of God Antony, who lived in a cave, Theodosius found him and asked to take him to himself. Anthony at first refused the teenager, but then agreed and tonsured him as a monk under the name that is known to all – Theodosius.
Even the monks were amazed by the power of his faith. He hardly slept, prayed and worked hard. He was not a stranger to the blackest work: he dug ditches, grinded grain, carried water.
On the body, under a poor, shabby garment, wore chains. But that didn’t seem enough to him. On summer nights, he would expose the body to mosquito and midge bites so that blood would flow. He never stopped praying for a minute.
In the cave were all new novices, became crowded. Anthony decided to move to a new place, and left Theodosius instead. The brethren chose him as abbot when he was 26 years old.
Not by years, was a young abbot wise, his advice sought princes and nobles. He was the priest of Grand Duke Izyaslav.
Theodosius soon realized that the monastery needed to be expanded. By his decree, they began to build cells for the brethren and laid a wooden Assumption Church. The monk introduced the first dormitory charter, which was brought for him from Constantinople. All the brothers were ordered to do everything together. Everyone had the same clothes, meals were shared, and time was recommended for work and prayer. So began the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
The abbot was very ascetic. In ordinary days, he ate only bread and greens, and even in fasting he preferred to retire altogether and sit on bread and water. He went to the cave, and in order not to be distracted from prayer and vigil, the door was sprinkled with earth. Only a small window was left so that, if anything, one could turn.
Theodosius appreciated the handwritten word, he organized the first Russian library. In the Lavra, works of spiritual literature were copied and collected. Theodosius himself is considered the author of 6 teachings, 2 letters to the prince and one prayer.
The glory of the monastery grew, he no longer lacked space. The monastery was allocated territory near the cave, where Anthony went. A stone church has already been laid there. At the insistence of the abbot, buildings were built for worshippers and the poor. The monk did not wait for the completion of the stone temple. He died in 1074. He was buried in a cave where he loved to retire.
The temple was consecrated in 1089, and in 1091 it was decided to move the tomb of the monk. Then they saw that the body did not touch the decay. The body of Theodosius was laid in the Assumption Church in plain sight. But during the Mongol-Tatar yoke, he was moved under the bush, to the western doors. It still rests there today.
Theodosius was canonized in 1118. His popularity was so great that he was recognized as a saint by the Catholic and Greek Catholic Church.
Nestor the chronicler was a monk in the Lavra. He recorded the life of the saint, which became the most popular spiritual reading in Russia.
Memorial Day
September 10 – Cathedral of the Kiev-Pechersk Monks, in the Far Caves
15 September
March 20 (transitional) – Council of all the Kiev-Pechersk Reverend Fathers
May 16
August 1 – Cathedral of Kursk Saints
August 27 – Transfer of Relics
The Holy Land Charitable Foundation
Lives of Saints
