The first Russian monasteries of Theodosius of the Caves. The meaning of Theodosius of the Caves in a brief biographical encyclopedia

16.11.2020

(~1008–1074)

Biography

May 3 (16), August 14 (27) (Transfer of relics), August 28 (September 10) (Cathedral of the Holy Fathers of the Kiev Caves), September 2 (15)

Path to monasticism

Having risen to virtue, having loved the monastic life from childhood, / you reached the desire to valiantly, you settled in the cave / and, decorating your life with fasting and lordship, / in prayers, as if incorporeal, you remained, / in the Russian earth, like a bright luminary, shining, Father Theodosius, // pray to Christ God that our souls be saved.

Today we honor the Russian Star, / which shone from the east and came to the west, / enriching this whole country with miracles and kindness and all of us / with the deed and grace of the monastic charter, // blessed Theodosius.

John troparion to the Monk Theodosius, tone 8

Teacher of Orthodoxy, / piety to the teacher and purity, / universal lamp, / divinely inspired fertilizer of the bishops, / Theodosius the wise, / with your teachings enlightened you all, spiritual spring, / pray to Christ God that our souls be saved.

In kontakion to the Monk Theodosius, tone 8

You were the heir of the fathers, reverend, / those following the life and teaching, / custom and abstinence, / prayer and standing. / With them, having boldness towards the Lord, / ask for forgiveness of sins and salvation for those crying out to you: // Rejoice, Father Theodosius.

Troparion to the Monk Fathers of the Kiev Caves, Tone 4

The mental sun and the bright moon, / of the original Caves, / with the whole cathedral of the saints today we honor, / thie bo, illuminating the church firmament, / enlighten the needy in the darkness of the passions, / and give help from Christ God with their prayers in all sorrows, / and souls ours are asked for deliverance.

Kontakion to the Monk Fathers of the Kiev Caves, Tone 8

Chosen from all generations, the saints of God, / holy reverend Pecherstia, / on these mountains with virtues shone, / the earth did not hide you, / but Heaven opened up to you and a paradise village. / The same we praise songs to God, who glorified you, / we bring in your memory; but you, as if you have boldness, / intercede with your prayers for your cathedral of those who honor from all troubles, / as our intercessors and intercessors to God.

Troparion to Saints Theodosius and Anthony of the Caves, tone 4

Stars of the mind, / shone on the firmament of the Church, / the foundations of the monks of Russia, / with songs, people, we honor, / repaying joyful praise to this, / rejoice, blessed fathers, Anthony with Theodosius the God-wise, // praying for those who follow and honor your memory.

John troparion to the Monks Theodosius and Anthony of the Caves, tone 3

Let us honor the pair of primary Russian luminaries, / Antony, sent by God, and Theodosius, bestowed by God: / thie bo first, equal to the angelic life in Russia shone from the mountains of Kiev, / illuminating our fatherland all the ends, / and showing the right path to Heaven to many, / and , the first fathers were a monk, having brought the faces of the saved God, / and now, coming in the highest to the unflickering Divine Light, they pray for our souls.

Kontakion to the Monks Theodosius and Anthony of the Caves, tone 8

The pair of great fathers and the bright rule of the monks, / the smart dawn, which enraged the Russian Church, / who will sing praises according to the heritage? Tii are coming to the Throne of God. / But as if you have boldness to the Holy Trinity, / most blessed Anthony and Theodosius of ever-memorable, / pray for prayers for those who bring you / and love songs to please you.

In kontakion to the Monks Theodosius and Anthony of the Caves, tone 2

Let us praise the firm pillars of piety, / the immovable monastic statutes of law, and the invincible walls of Russia: / Antonia, the beloved of God, and Theodosius, beloved of God: / the labors of one and fasting feats are more pleasant than any all-fruitfulness, / One in the saints is glorified.

Read in 15 minutes

The pious parents of Saint Theodosius lived in the city of Vasilyev. When their son was born, on the eighth day he was given a name, on the fortieth day he was christened. Then the parents of the blessed one moved to the city of Kursk.

The boy grew up, went to church every day, avoided children's games, and his clothes were shabby and in patches. Theodosius, at his request, was given to the teacher. The lad studied divine books and achieved great success in this.

Theodosius was thirteen years old when his father died. The lad at this time became even more diligent to work and, together with his slaves, worked in the field. The mother considered such behavior a disgrace, and she often beat her son. Mother wanted Theodosius to dress cleaner and play with his peers.

Hearing about the holy places, Theodosius prayed to God to visit them. Wanderers came to his city on their way to the Holy Land. They promised to take the young man with them. At night, Theodosius secretly left the house and followed the wanderers. But God did not want Theodosius to leave his country.

Three days later, Theodosia's mother learned that her son had left with the pilgrims. She went in pursuit. Having caught up with her son, the mother beat him, tied him up, showered reproaches on the wanderers, and took the young man home. Two days later, she untied Theodosius, but ordered him to wear chains. When the son promised his mother that he would not run away again, she allowed the shackles to be removed.

Theodosius again began to go to church daily. Often there was no liturgy in the church, because no one baked prosphora. Then the young man himself took up the matter. Peers laughed at him, and his mother persuaded him to stop baking prosphora. Theodosius answered her so intelligently about the importance of this matter that his mother left him alone for a whole year. And then she again began to convince her son, now with affection, now with beatings. In desperation, the young man went to another city and settled with a priest. His mother found him again and brought him home with beatings.

The ruler of the city fell in love with Theodosius and gave him light clothes. But Theodosius gave it to the poor, and he himself dressed in rags. The ruler gave other clothes, and the young man gave them back, and this was repeated several times.

Theodosius began to wear chains - he girded himself with an iron chain. When he was dressing for the holiday, so that among other young men he would serve the nobles at the feast, his mother noticed this chain. She tore off the chains with anger and beatings. And the lad humbly went to serve at the feast.

The young man began to think about how to take the veil as a monk and hide from his mother. When Theodosia's mother left for the village, he went to Kiev. Merchants followed the same road, and Theodosius secretly followed them. Three weeks later, the young man arrived in Kiev. He went around all the monasteries, but nowhere did they receive him, seeing poor clothes.

Then Theodosius heard about the blessed Anthony living in a cave, and hurried to him. Anthony, testing Theodosius, expressed doubt that the young man could endure all the hardships. Although Anthony himself foresight saw that it was Theodosius who would build a glorious monastery here in the future. Theodosius promised to obey Anthony in everything. He allowed the young man to stay. Priest Nikon, who also lived in this cave, tonsured Theodosius and clothed him in monastic clothes.

Having dedicated himself to God, Theodosius spent his days in labor and his nights in prayer. Anthony and Nikon marveled at his humility and fortitude. Meanwhile, his mother was looking for Theodosius both in her city and in neighboring ones. She announced that anyone who brings her information about Theodosius will receive a reward. People who saw Theodosius in Kiev told their mother how the young man was looking for a monastery. The woman went to Kiev and went around all the monasteries. She came to Anthony's cave. When Elder Anthony came out to the woman, she had a lengthy conversation with him, and at the end she mentioned her son. Antony told her to come the next day to see her son. But Theodosius, despite Antony's persuasion, did not want to see his mother. The woman came and began to shout in anger at Antony: “You have kidnapped my son ...” Then finally Theodosius went out to his mother. She hugged her son, cried and began to persuade him to return home, for she could not live without him. And Theodosius urged his mother to take a haircut in a convent: then he would see her every day.

At first, the mother did not want to hear about it, but in the end she succumbed to her son's persuasion. She took the vows in the convent of St. Nicholas, lived for many years in repentance and died. She herself told one of the monks about the life of Theodosius from childhood until the time when he came to the cave.

At first there were three monks in the cave: Anthony, Nikon and Theodosius. A noble youth often came to them, the son of the first of the princely boyars, John. The young man wanted to become a monk and also settle in a cave. Once he put on rich clothes, mounted a horse and rode to Elder Anthony. In front of the cave, he folded his clothes, put his horse in rich decoration and renounced wealth. The young man begged to be tonsured by Anthony. The elder warned the young man about his father's anger. But nevertheless he tonsured him and named him Varlaam.

Then, with the same request, the eunuch, the favorite princely servant, came to the cave. He was tonsured and named Ephraim. And Prince Izyaslav was angry that the eunuch and the young man were tonsured monks without his permission. The prince ordered Nikon to convince the new monks to go home, threatening otherwise to fill up the cave and imprison the monks.

Then the Chernorizians gathered to leave for another land. And Izyaslav's wife began to tell her husband that the departure of the monks threatened the land with disaster. And the prince forgave the monks, allowing them to return to the cave.

But the boyar John, the father of the boy who had taken the veil, blazing with anger, burst into the cave, tore off his son's monastic clothes, and dressed him in a boyar dress. And since the young man Varlaam resisted, his father ordered him to tie his hands and lead him through the city. The son, on the way, tore off his rich clothes.

At home, Varlaam did not want to eat food. His wife tried to seduce him, but he only prayed and sat motionless in his place for three days. Then the father took pity on his son and allowed him to return to the monastic life.

From that time on, many came to the holy fathers Anthony and Theodosius, many became monks. And Nikon left the cave and settled on the island of Tmutorokansky. Ephraim the eunuch began to live in one of the monasteries of Constantinople, and another monk, a former boyar, lived on the island, which was later named Boyarov.

Theodosius became a priest. At that time there were already fifteen brethren, and Varlaam was the abbot. Anthony, loving solitude, dug a cave on another hill and lived in it without going anywhere. When Varlaam was transferred as abbot to the monastery of St. Dmitry, Theodosius became the new hegumen. The number of brethren increased, they did not have enough space in the cave. Then Theodosius, not far from the cave, built a church in the name of the Mother of God, many cells, and surrounded this place with a wall.

Theodosius sent one monk to Constantinople, to Ephraim the eunuch. He rewrote for him the charter of the Studian monastery, and Theodosius arranged everything in his monastery according to this model.

During Lent, Theodosius shut himself up in his cave. Here demons harmed him many times, but the saint drove them away with prayer. Even evil spirits were fouling in the house where the brethren baked bread. Theodosius went to the bakery and spent the whole night in prayer. After that, the demons did not dare to appear there. In the evenings, Theodosius went around all the monastic cells: is anyone busy with empty conversation? And in the morning he instructed the guilty.

Princes and boyars often came to the monastery and confessed to the saint. They brought rich gifts. But Prince Izyaslav especially loved Saint Theodosius. Once the prince arrived at the monastery at noon, when it was ordered not to let anyone in. The gatekeeper did not let the prince in, but went to report to the abbot. Izyaslav was waiting at the gate. Then the abbot himself came out and received him.

Barlaam went to Jerusalem. On the way back, he fell ill and died. His body was buried in the monastery of Theodosius. And the abbot of the monastery of St. Dmitry became another monk from the monastery of Theodosius - Isaiah. Nikon returned to the monastery to Theodosius. The abbot revered him as a father.

Theodosius did not disdain any work: he himself helped to knead the dough, bake bread. He carried water and chopped wood. He came to work and church earlier than others and left later than others. He slept sitting up and wore a poor sackcloth.

Once Theodosius came to Prince Izyaslav and stayed late. The prince ordered that Theodosius be taken back in a cart so that he could sleep on the way. The driver, looking at the clothes of Theodosius, thought that this was a poor monk. He asked Theodosius to get on the horse, and he himself lay down in the cart and fell asleep. At dawn the abbot woke him up. The driver, waking up, saw with horror that everyone was bowing before Theodosius. Arriving at the monastery, the abbot ordered to feed the driver. The driver himself told the brethren about this incident.

Theodosius taught all the monks humility and the fight against evil spirits. One of the monks, Hilarion, was haunted by demons every night. He wanted to move to another cell, but Saint Theodosius would not allow it. When Hilarion was exhausted, Theodosius rebaptized him and promised that the demons would not appear again. And so it happened.

One evening, the housekeeper came to Theodosius and said that there was nothing to buy food for the brethren. But Theodosius advised him not to worry about tomorrow. After a while, the housekeeper came in again and started talking about the same thing, and the abbot answered in the same way. When the steward went out, a certain youth appeared before Saint Theodosius and gave him some gold. Then the abbot called the steward, ordered him to buy everything he needed. And the goalkeeper later said that no one entered the monastery at all that night.

At night, Theodosius prayed, but in front of others he pretended to be asleep. In the monastery there was a monk Damian, who imitated Theodosius in everything and became famous for his holy life. On his deathbed, he prayed that God would not separate him from Theodosius even in the next world. Then an angel appeared to him in the form of hegumen Theodosius and said that Damian's request had been heard.

The number of brethren increased, and Saint Theodosius expanded the monastery. When the fence was broken during construction, robbers came to the monastery. They wanted to rob the church. It was a dark night. The robbers approached the temple and heard singing. They thought that the service had not yet ended, but in fact the angels were singing in the church. During the night, the robbers approached the church several times, but each time they saw a light and heard singing. Then the villains decided to attack the brethren during morning prayers, kill all the monks and seize church wealth.

But when they ran up, the temple went up into the air with all those who were in it, who did not even feel anything. The robbers, seeing the miracle, were horrified and returned home. Then the chieftain with three robbers came to Theodosius to repent.

One of the boyars of Prince Izyaslav saw the same miracle: the ascended church, which before his eyes sank to the ground.

Another boyar, preparing for battle, promised that in case of victory he would donate gold and a salary for the icon of the Virgin to the monastery. Then he forgot about this promise, but the voice that came from the icon of the Mother of God reminded him. He also brought the Holy Gospel as a gift to the monastery, and the perspicacious Theodosius found out about this before the boyar showed the Gospel.

Prince Izyaslav, having dinner in the monastery, was surprised: why is the monastic food so much tastier than the expensive dishes at the prince's table? Theodosius explained that in the monastery the meal is prepared with prayer, with a blessing, and the prince's servants do everything, "quarreling and laughing."

If the abbot found something in the monastery cells that was not prescribed by the charter, then he threw it into the oven. Others, unable to withstand the severity of the charter, left the monastery. Theodosius mourned and prayed for them until they returned. One monk, who often left the monastery, came and placed in front of Theodosius the money that he had acquired by his labor in the world. The abbot ordered everything to be thrown into the fire. The monk did just that and spent the rest of his days in the monastery.

When the robbers were caught plundering one of the monastery villages, Theodosius ordered to untie and feed them, and then, having instructed them, he released them in peace. Since then, these villains no longer rampaged.

Theodosius gave a tenth of the monastery property to the poor. Once a priest from the city came to the monastery and asked for wine for the liturgy. The saint ordered the sexton to give the priest all the wine, leaving nothing for himself. He did not immediately obey, reluctantly, but that same evening three wagons came to the monastery, in which there were taverns with wine.

Once the abbot ordered white bread brought by someone to the table. Cellar put them aside for another day. Upon learning of this, Theodosius ordered the bread rolls to be thrown into the water, and a penance was imposed on the cellarer. This is what he did when something was done without a blessing. Already after the death of Theodosius, under Abbot Nikon, the following happened. Kelar lied that he did not have flour for making special white bread with honey. In fact, he saved the flour for later. And when he was about to bake bread from it, then, filling the dough with water, he found a toad that defiled the water. I had to throw out the dough.

For the feast of the Assumption, the monastery did not have enough wooden oil for the lamps. The housekeeper suggested using linseed oil. But there was a dead mouse in the vessel, and the oil was poured out. Theodosius placed his hope in God, and on the same day a certain man brought a pot of wooden oil to the monastery.

When Prince Izyaslav arrived at the monastery, the hegumen ordered to cook dinner for the prince. Kelarus said that there was no honey. Theodosius ordered to look at him again. Cellar obeyed and found the vessel full of honey.

Once Theodosius cast out demons from a barn in a neighboring village, as before from a bakery. And then another miracle happened with flour. The senior baker said that there was no flour left, but through the prayers of St. Theodosius, he found the barrel full.

One man was shown in a vision the place where the brethren of the monastery subsequently moved. The fiery arc rested with one end in that place, and with the other - in the existing monastery. Others saw a religious procession at night, going to the site of the future monastery. In fact, not people, but angels were walking in the procession.

Theodosius often argued about Christ with the Jews, wanting to convert them to Orthodoxy. The abbot's prayer protected the monastic possessions from any harm.

At that time, two princes went to war against Izyaslav and expelled him. Svyatoslav became prince of Kiev. Arriving in the city, he invited Theodosius to a feast, but he refused, and instead began to denounce the prince for his unrighteous act with his brother, Izyaslav. Theodosius wrote an accusatory letter to Svyatoslav. He was furious when he read it. Many feared that the prince would imprison Theodosius, and begged the saint to stop the denunciations, but he did not agree. However, the prince, although he was angry, did not dare to harm the hegumen Theodosius. And he, seeing that he achieved nothing by denunciation, left Svyatoslav alone. Upon learning that Theodosius' anger had subsided, the prince came to visit him at the monastery. The saint taught the prince about brotherly love. And he put all the blame on his brother and did not want to put up. But he listened to Theodosius with attention. The abbot also began to visit the prince. Svyatoslav, out of respect for the saint, stopped secular music when Theodosius appeared. The prince always rejoiced at the arrival of the abbot, but did not want to return the throne to his brother. And in the monastery, the brethren prayed for Izyaslav as for the prince of Kiev.

Theodosius decided to move to a new place and create a large stone church in the name of the Virgin. Prince Svyatoslav himself was the first to start digging the ground for construction. Saint Theodosius did not complete this work during his lifetime, the church was completed under Abbot Stephen.

Many mocked Theodosius' shabby clothes. Many, seeing him, mistook him not for the abbot, but for the cook. Theodosius himself sometimes humbly hid his name from those who came and at the same time helped everyone: once he helped a woman offended by a judge.

Saint Theodosius knew in advance the day of his death. He called the monks, instructed them, and then dismissed and began to pray. After three days of serious illness, he again gathered the brethren and ordered them to elect a new hegumen. The monks were sad. They elected the ecclesiastical regent Stephen as igumen, Theodosius blessed him and appointed him igumen. He called the day of his death - Saturday.

When Saturday came, the Monk Theodosius said goodbye to the weeping brethren. He ordered that no one, except the monks themselves, should bury him. Then the saint let everyone go and died with a prayer on his lips.

At this time, Prince Svyatoslav saw a pillar of fire above the monastery and guessed that Theodosius had died. But no one else saw it. However, many people came to the monastery, as if they somehow miraculously learned about the death of the saint. The brethren behind the pearl gate and waited for the people to disperse. It began to rain, people fled, and immediately the sun shone. The monks buried the body of Theodosius in a cave.

retold

It is no coincidence that the Monk Theodosius of the Caves is called the father of Russian monasticism. Since it was he who was the founder of the first cenobitic monastery in Russia, which became, as it were, an example and model for all other monasteries.

The life of St. Theodosius of the Caves, written by Nestor the Chronicler, has become one of the favorite readings of the Russian people.

Brief life of St. Theodosius of the Caves

In the biography of the saint, several main plots clearly stand out:

relationship with mother
and monastic labors in it;
abbess;
relations with princes;
wonders.

Venerable Theodosius of the Caves

adolescence

The monk was born in 1008 in the small town of Vasilev. His father was, apparently, a combatant, that is, he belonged to a privileged military class. Theodosius spent his adolescence and youth in Kursk, where the family moved in 1021. Here begins the ascetic deeds of the saint.

Articles about other saints:

The life of Theodosius of the Caves marks his special meekness and otherworldliness, inherent in him from an early age. That is, the desire to lead an ascetic life matured in the saint as early as childhood, but the mother of the reverend stood on the way to the realization of the cherished goal.

For the first time, Theodosius fled from home with three strangers, wanting to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. But the mother caught up with him, beat him and locked him in a closet, although soon her heart softened, and she released her son.
Visiting church every day, Theodosius undertook to bake prosphora with his own hands. His mother constantly reproached him for this, because such an occupation was unworthy of his position in society. In the end, the monk fled to a nearby town, where he settled with a priest, but his mother found him again, beat him up and brought him back home.
Theodosius ordered the blacksmith to make an iron belt for himself, which he wore, dressing directly on his naked body. The belt rubbed the skin and blood appeared on the clothes. Noticing this, the mother became very angry with the boy and ordered him to remove the belt, again beating his son severely.

Interesting! The actions of the mother in relation to the Monk Theodosius were dictated by the love that she had for her son, fearing to lose him.

When he had already cut his hair, she found him in Kiev, saw him and agreed to be tonsured as a monk in one of Kiev's convents, where she ended her life. It is interesting that in the life the name of the mother of the reverend is never mentioned.

Took monastic vows

After this incident, Theodosius secretly left the house and retired to Kiev, where he met with. Theodosius asked to be tonsured a monk, to which Saint Anthony answered him that he was still too young for that. But seeing the inflexibility of the young man, he ordered the Monk Nikon to tonsure Theodosius into monasticism.

Articles about temples in Kiev:

This event took place around 1031. When the monk entered the monastery, there were 12 monks in it, all of them lived in the caves dug by them, and in their monastic life they were guided by the advice of the Monk Anthony of the Caves. Shortly after admission, Theodosius was ordained a priest.

Saints Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves - the founders of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

The biography of Theodosius of the Caves is replete with facts of his incessant ascetic labors, here are just a few of them:

the saint did not sleep at night, being in constant prayer;
at night he did work for others;
in the summer, in the very heat, he climbed to the top of the cave, here he was stripped to the waist and bitten by gadflies and horseflies, to which the monk did not pay any attention, but plunged into unceasing prayer.

abbess

In 1054 the saint was elected head of the monastery. But even as hegumen, he continued to lead the same way of life as before and did not stand out from the brethren in any way. He performed hard work, wore the most inconspicuous and coarse clothes, and, moreover, on his body a sackcloth, which rubbed the body very much. He was meek and gentle, and with everyone in communication he was even and reasonable.

There are several vivid episodes in the life that reveal the character and personality of the saint.

It was the custom of the saint to go around the cells of his monks at night. If he saw that a monk was praying, he was very happy about it, but if he discovered that the monks indulged in idleness or empty chatter, then the next day he denounced them, but not directly, but through parables.
The monk often worked in a bakery, kneading the dough himself and making bread.
Once there was not enough water in the bakery to carry it from a distant place, none of the brethren volunteered to do so, and the abbot himself began to carry the water. Another time there was not enough firewood, and again no one volunteered from the brethren, and the holy father himself took up chopping firewood.

Important! These two cases do not show us that Father Theodosius was a bad organizer, but speak more about his unconditional high spiritual authority among the Pechersk monks. Indeed, in both cases, all of them, having abandoned their affairs, began to help their spiritual father.

The very activity of the monk as rector of the monastery became truly revolutionary both for Russian monasticism and in general for the entire Russian Church.

Kiev Caves Monastery (1902)

He became the founder of the first cenobitic monastery in Russia. When the brethren of the monastery increased to 100 people, the father-abbot asked the Grand Duke of Kiev for a piece of land not far from the caves, where the cells and the wooden church of the Assumption of the Virgin were built. All the monks moved here.
In the Caves Monastery, he introduced a strict Studite Rule, which became the basis of the liturgical life of the entire Russian Church.
Under him, the construction of a stone church in honor of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos began.

Important! The main method of leading the monks, which the monk adhered to, was a personal example, which had the best effect on the brethren. Nobody ever saw him angry or irritated, he was condescending and patient.

And one more feature in the way of managing the monastery, the unconditional faith that God will always help those who turn to him sincerely from the bottom of their hearts, then the Lord will not leave them in any need.

Here are just a few examples of this:

once a baker came to Theodosius and said that there was no flour left. But the monk, in firm faith with the help of God, answered the baker that now the granaries were full of flour. Indeed, when the baker looked into the granary, it was full;
another time, a Kiev priest turned to the cellarer with a request to give wine for the service, since it was over in the temple. But the cellar replied that he had only one vessel of wine left. However, the monk ordered to give everything and believe in God. And indeed, the next morning, several barrels of wine were brought to the monastery from benefactors;
there was also a case when the cellarer announced to the father-abbot that all food supplies had run out and he had nothing to feed the brethren, the monk ordered the cellarer to remain calm and believe that the Lord would help. He himself began to pray, and on the same day the boyar of the Grand Duke sent a whole cartload of provisions to the monastery.

And there were many such cases, the last of which testifies to the special relationship of Theodosius with the Grand Duke and the Kievan nobility.

Relations with the princely nobility

During the years of the saint's abbess, two princes Izyaslav and his younger brother Svyatoslav, who illegally took the throne, overthrew his elder brother, visited the throne of Kiev. The latter circumstance greatly complicated the relationship between the prince and the saint, since the latter took an uncompromising position regarding the fact that Svyatoslav acted illegally with his brother.

More interesting articles about Orthodoxy:

Theodosius had very good relations with the Grand Duke Izyaslav. Izyaslav perceived the monk as his spiritual father. Here are a few cases that characterize their communication.

Once the prince came to the monk and tasted the simple food that the monks usually ate. Izyaslav noticed that he had never eaten anything tastier, although his cooks prepare the most delicious dishes. Theodosius replied to this: "This is because everything is done in the monastery with a blessing."
For Izyaslav, the saint became a real spiritual teacher, and the prince himself, taking an example from him, humbled himself, despite his princely dignity. This is evidenced by such a case: at noon, the gates of the monastery were always closed, even for Izyaslav, and he humbly waited for Theodosius to come to talk with him.

It was not easy for the holy relationship with the usurper of the princely throne to Prince Svyatoslav, whom the monk openly denounced for having acted illegally. Svyatoslav was angry with the saint, even wanted to imprison him. But then he reconciled with him and revered him as highly as Izyaslav, although Theodosius never commemorated him as the ruler of the Kiev principality at the service.

Wonders

Contemporaries noted that during the life of the monk there were many miracles, and different people were their witnesses.

Here are just a few of the more prominent ones:

The life of Theodosius of the Caves is largely based on the description of the miracles associated with the life of the monk, and they give a more complete picture of his personality.

Days of Remembrance

The memory of St. Theodosius is celebrated several times a year. This is due to the fact that his name is associated not only with his own death, but also with the history of the Caves Monastery.

The main date associated with the memory of the saint is May 16, the day of his death.
The transfer of the relics of the saint on August 27, this event took place in 1090, when the stone Assumption Church was built, founded by the monk himself. At this time, the relics of the saint were found and solemnly buried at the church.
There are also two dates when the reverend is remembered:
- as part of the Cathedral of All the Kiev-Pechersk Saints, i.e. September 10;
- the saint is also venerated along with his teacher, the Monk Anthony. Their joint memory is celebrated on September 15.

Magnifications

The veneration of Saint Theodosius began immediately after his death. Nestor the chronicler wrote his life, taking advantage of the fact that there were many living witnesses to the extraordinary life of the saint. Soon after his death, the holy incorruptible relics were found, and all this became the basis for the glorification of the Monk Theodosius of the Caves as a saint.

The life was composed shortly after the glorification, but the corresponding theological songs were also composed: it was the magnification or glorification of the saint, which is presented in the text below:

We bless you, / Reverend Father Theodosius, / and honor your holy memory, / mentor of the monks / / and companion of the Angels.

Life of St. Theodosius of the Caves, hegumen

We are publishing the testament of one of the greatest Saints, glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church, written in the 12th century to the Grand Duke of Kiev Izyaslav as the head of the Orthodox Kievan state, and in his person to all Russian people united at that time by Kievan Rus, according to the collection of Paisievsky of the Kirillo-Beloezersky Library:

“God bless! I am Theodosius, a thin servant of the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit - born in pure and righteous faith and raised in good teaching by an Orthodox father and mother. Do not partake of the Latin (Catholic) faith, do not adhere to their customs, run away from their communion and avoid all their teachings and abhor their manners.

Beware, children, of the Krivovers and all their conversations, for our land is also filled with them. If anyone saves his soul, it is only by living in the Orthodox faith, for there is no other faith better than our pure and holy Orthodox Faith.

Living in this faith, you will not only get rid of sins and eternal torment, but you will also become a partaker of eternal life and will rejoice with the Saints without end. And those who live in a different faith: in the Catholic, or Muslim, or Armenian - will not see eternal life.

It is also not fitting, child, to praise someone else's faith. He who praises someone else's faith is the same as blaspheming his own. If someone begins to praise both his own and someone else's, then he is a two-believer, close to heresy. But you, child, beware of such and unceasingly praise your faith. Do not fraternize with them, but flee from them and pursue in your faith good works. Give alms not only to your own by faith, but also to those who believe in others. If you see a naked or hungry or in trouble, whether it be a Jew or a Turk, or a Latin, be merciful to everyone. Deliver him from trouble as best you can, and you will not be deprived of a reward from God, for God Himself in this age pours out His mercy not only on Christians, but also on infidels. God cares about pagans and non-believers in this age, but in the future they will be alien to eternal blessings. We, who live in the Orthodox Faith, and here we receive all the blessings from God, and in the next century our Lord Jesus Christ will save us.

Child, if you even need to die for your holy faith, boldly go to your death. So the Saints died for the faith, and now they live in Christ. But you, child, if you see non-believers arguing with the faithful, flattery wanting to lead them away from the right faith, help the Orthodox. This is like delivering a sheep from the lion's mouth. And if you keep silent and leave them without help, then it's the same as if you took the redeemed soul from Christ and sold it to Satan.

If the one who opposes you says: “Your faith and our faith are from God,” then you, child, answer like this: “Krivover! Or do you think God is two-faith! Do you not hear, corrupted by evil faith, as the scripture says: “One God, one faith, one Baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).

Can't you hear the Apostle Paul saying: "If an angel who comes from heaven blesses you, but if we bring good news, let him be cursed" (Gal. 1:8).

But you (the Latins), who rejected the preaching of the Apostles and the Holy Fathers, accepted an unrighteous and corrupt faith, full of destruction. That is why you are rejected by us. Therefore, it is not befitting for us to serve with you and to approach the Divine Mysteries together, not for you to ours, not for us to yours, because you are dead and offer a dead sacrifice, and we are to the living God - pure, undefiled, so that we inherit eternal life.

So it was written: “Anyone is rewarded according to his deeds” about Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory to him. Amen".

Word of St. Theodosius, hegumen of the Caves, on the Christian and Latin faith

In the first half of the 11th century, the Western Church finally fell away from the Eastern Church. Then the Orthodox Greeks were deeply offended by the proud messengers of the pope, not only in their faith, but also in their popular feelings. (How deeply offended the Greeks were at that time by the papal ambassadors, to comprehend this, it is enough to read the letter of excommunication drawn up by Cardinal Humbert in Constantinople, in which all the heresies that have ever been are attributed to the Orthodox Greeks. - Note comp.). At the same time, in the very writings of both sides, harsh comments about the opposite side began to be noticed. It is precisely in this mood that we know the Epistle of St. Theodosius († 1074) to the Grand Duke Izyaslav about the Varangian or Latin faith, remarkable all the more because it represents the very first experience in a accusatory kind, written by a Russian proper.

This message has been preserved in many lists, and everywhere it is assimilated by the famous abbot of the Caves (Kormch. Rum. music No. 233, fol. 377; Collection of Tsar’s No. 393, fol. 513 on the reverse; Paterik Kassianovsky edition of 1462; imp. Publication Library No. 271, Novgorod Soph. Library No. 502, etc. Description by Tolstov, Department of the III III, No. 70, pp. 599, 600).<…>There is no reason to doubt its authenticity.

The reason for writing the epistle was given by the Grand Duke Izyaslav himself, as can be seen from the beginning of some lists: “Question of Prince Izyaslav, son of Yaroslavl, grandson of Volodimerov, hegumen of the Pechersk Theodosius about Latin. And Izyaslav said: tell me, father, the Varangian faith ”; or: “The question of the blessed prince Izyaslav about the Latins. The once faithful and great prince Izyaslav, son of Yaroslavl, grandson of Volodimers, came to our holy father Theodosius. What prompted Grand Duke Izyaslav to ask the famous hegumen about the Varangian faith?

In 1068, the Grand Duke Izyaslav, expelled from Kiev by the people, fled to Poland. King Boleslav II of Poland, accepting Izyaslav with all signs of sincere friendliness as an unfortunate sovereign and close relative, willingly agreed to help him. In the spring of 1069, Izyaslav, together with Boleslav, appeared within Russian borders. With the help of the Poles, he again sat on his throne. The Poles were sent to fodder in the volosts, where the inhabitants began to secretly kill them because, probably, they, like the victors and the Latins, had little respect for the faith of the vanquished and did violence to them. (The words of Theodosius’ epistle indicate this: “Our land has been filled with the evil toya (i.e. Latin) faith; if you see a certain heterodox with a faithful prue, acting with flattery, wanting to lead them away from the right faith, help the faithful, if you help them, then save them like a sheep from the mouth of the lions". - Note. sost.). As a result, Boleslav returned to his land. Izyaslav did not sit on his throne for long; in 1073, having quarreled with his brother, Svyatoslav of Chernigov, he decided to flee again to Poland and seek help from the Latins. In this position, the conscience could not help disturbing the pious prince with perplexities about the faith of those with whom he wanted to enter into communication again; the respect that the prince had for St. Theodosius, could force him to seek resolution of doubts from the great abbot, especially since Met. George was then in Greece (Full collection of Russian chronicles I. 78–79).

Message from Rev. Theodosius can be divided into two parts: in the first, he calculates to the prince various deviations of the Latins from the Orthodox faith and their evil customs; and in the second he proposes rules for how the prince should behave towards the Latin faith and its followers.<…>Having outlined the deviations of the Latins from the Orthodox faith and their unkind customs, and saying that our land was “filled with that evil faith,” St. Theodosius gives instructions on how to behave towards the Latin faith and its followers.<…>In addition to these general instructions, Rev. Theodosius, addressing the Grand Duke Izyaslav himself, commands: “You, child, keep them, and unceasingly praise your faith ...”<…>.

This epistle clearly expresses the idea that one cannot be saved in the Varangian or Latin faith and that one should not have communion with the Latins in matters relating to faith. That's how Rev. Theodosius, and he was such a person before whom all of Russia was in awe!

The same teaching about the Latin Church was held by other monks of the Kiev Caves Monastery, in which St. Theodosius was abbot for twelve years, and from this monastery came the best people of that time, who scattered as preachers of Christianity to the pagans, founders of monasteries and in the rank of bishops, spreading the teaching that they had learned in the monastery. Doctrine of the Latin Church Theodosius was reflected in its entirety in the annals of St. Nestor. Read one of his stories about what was inspired to the Grand Duke Vladimir about the Latins at his baptism in Korsun (Ibid. 49-50); and the chronicle of Nestor was also read and copied by all of Russia.

<…>The tone of the epistle, completely in agreement with the spirit of that time and with the zeal of Theodosius, burning with a fiery desire to enlighten and convert the erring to the Orthodox faith, not only cannot serve as a sign of the unauthenticity of the epistle, on the contrary, rather vouches for its authenticity.

Venerable Theodosius of the Caves, the founder of the cenobitic monastic charter and the founder of monasticism in the Russian land, was born in Vasilevo, not far from Kiev.

From a young age, he showed an irresistible attraction to the ascetic life, leading an ascetic life in his parental home. He did not like children's games and hobbies, he constantly went to church. He himself begged his parents to give him for teaching the reading of sacred books, and, with excellent abilities and rare diligence, he quickly learned to read books, so that everyone was surprised at the mind of the boy.

At the age of 14, he lost his father and remained under the supervision of his mother - a strict and domineering woman, but who loved her son very much. For striving for asceticism, she punished him many times, but the Reverend firmly took the path of achievement.

The Lord led the young Theodosius to St. Anthony, the founder of the Russian monks, to learn Christian humility and monastic obedience. After all, it was from the cave of St. Anthony, as from a certain Russian "Bethlehem", that the great Lavra began, without which it would be unthinkable to root the Christian gospel in barely converted pagan Russia.

In the 24th year, he secretly left his parents' house and took the vows, with the blessing of the Monk Anthony, in the Kiev-Pechersk monastery with the name Theodosius. Four years later, his mother found him and with tears asked to return home, but the saint himself persuaded her to stay in Kiev and accept monasticism at the monastery of St. Nicholas at Askold's grave.

The young Theodosius was led by the Lord to Saint Anthony, the ancestor of the Russian monks, to learn Christian humility and monastic obedience. After all, it was from the cave of St. Anthony, as from a certain Russian "Bethlehem", that the great Lavra began, without which it would be unthinkable to root the Christian gospel in barely converted pagan Russia.

In 1054 the Monk Theodosius was ordained to the rank of hieromonk, and in 1057 he was elected abbot. The fame of his exploits attracted many monks to the monastery, in which he built a new church and cells and introduced the Studium cenobitic charter, written off, on his behalf, in Constantinople. In the rank of abbot, the Monk Theodosius continued to fulfill the most difficult obediences in the monastery.

The saint usually ate only dry bread and boiled herbs without oil. Nights passed with him without sleep in prayer, which the brethren noticed many times, although the chosen one of God tried to hide his feat from others. No one saw that the Monk Theodosius slept lying down, he usually rested while sitting. During Great Lent, the saint retired to a cave located not far from the monastery, where he labored, unseen by anyone.

His clothes were a stiff sackcloth, worn directly on the body, so that in this poor old man it was impossible to recognize the famous abbot, who was revered by all who knew him. Once the Monk Theodosius was returning from Grand Duke Izyaslav. The driver, who did not yet know him, said rudely: “You, monk, are always idle, but I am constantly at work. Go to my place, and let me into the chariot." The holy elder meekly obeyed and took the servant away. Seeing how the boyars who met him were bowing to the monk, getting off their horses, the servant was frightened, but the holy ascetic calmed him and, upon arrival, fed him in the monastery.

Hoping for God's help, the monk did not keep large supplies for the monastery, so the brethren sometimes endured the need for daily bread. Through his prayers, however, unknown benefactors appeared and delivered to the monastery what was necessary for the brethren.

The Grand Dukes, especially Izyaslav, loved to enjoy the spiritual conversation of St. Theodosius. The saint was not afraid to denounce the mighty of this world. The unlawfully convicted always found in him an intercessor, and the judges reviewed cases at the request of the abbot, revered by all. The monk was especially concerned about the poor: he built a special courtyard for them in the monastery, where anyone in need could receive food and shelter.

Saint Theodosius was canonized as a saint in 1108. From the works of the Monk Theodosius, 6 teachings, 2 epistles to the Grand Duke Izyaslav and a prayer for all Christians have come down to us. The Life of St. Theodosius was compiled by the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, a disciple of the great abba, a little over 30 years after his repose, and has always been one of the favorite readings of the Russian people.

The founder of the cenobitic monastic charter and the founder of monasticism in the Russian land, was born in Vasilevo, not far from Kiev. From a young age, he showed an irresistible attraction to the ascetic life, leading an ascetic life in his parental home.

He did not like children's games and hobbies, he constantly went to church. He himself begged his parents to give him for teaching the reading of sacred books, and, with excellent abilities and rare diligence, he quickly learned to read books, so that everyone was surprised at the mind of the boy. At the age of 14, he lost his father and remained under the supervision of his mother - a strict and domineering woman, but who loved her son very much. For striving for asceticism, she punished him many times, but the Reverend firmly took the path of achievement.

The Monk Theodosius labored in the monastery more than others, and often took upon himself part of the work of the brethren: he carried water, chopped wood, ground rye, and brought flour to each monk. On hot nights he exposed his body and gave it to mosquitoes and midges as food, blood flowed through him, but the saint patiently did needlework and sang psalms. He appeared in the temple before the others and, standing in place, did not leave it until the end of the Divine service; I listened to the reading with great attention. In 1054 the Monk Theodosius was ordained to the rank of hieromonk, and in 1057 he was elected abbot. The fame of his exploits attracted many monks to the monastery, in which he built a new church and cells and introduced the Studium cenobitic charter, written off, on his behalf, in Constantinople.

In the rank of abbot, the Monk Theodosius continued to fulfill the most difficult obediences in the monastery. The saint usually ate only dry bread and boiled herbs without oil. Nights passed with him without sleep in prayer, which the brethren noticed many times, although the chosen one of God tried to hide his feat from others. No one saw that the Monk Theodosius slept lying down, he usually rested while sitting. During Great Lent, the saint retired to a cave located not far from the monastery, where he labored, unseen by anyone.

His clothes were a stiff sackcloth, worn directly on the body, so that in this poor old man it was impossible to recognize the famous abbot, who was revered by all who knew him.

Once the Monk Theodosius was returning from Grand Duke Izyaslav. The driver, who did not yet know him, said rudely: “You, monk, are always idle, but I am constantly at work. Go to my place, and let me into the chariot.” The holy elder meekly obeyed and took the servant away. Seeing how the boyars who met him were bowing to the monk, getting off their horses, the servant was frightened, but the holy ascetic calmed him and, upon arrival, fed him in the monastery. Hoping for God's help, the monk did not keep large supplies for the monastery, so the brethren sometimes endured the need for daily bread. Through his prayers, however, unknown benefactors appeared and delivered to the monastery what was necessary for the brethren.

Foreseeing his own death in advance, the Monk Theodosius peacefully departed to the Lord in 1074. He was buried in a cave dug out by him, in which he retired during fasting. The relics of the ascetic were found incorrupt in 1091. Saint Theodosius was canonized as a saint in 1108. From the works of the Monk Theodosius, 6 teachings, 2 epistles to the Grand Duke Izyaslav and a prayer for all Christians have come down to us. The Life of St. Theodosius was compiled by the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, a disciple of the great abba, a little over 30 years after his repose, and has always been one of the favorite readings of the Russian people.

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