The Monk Theodosii (Feodosii) of Pechersk
Commemorated on May 3, August 14 and 28, September 2
The Monk Theodosii
(Feodosii) of Pechersk, was the initiator of a life-in-common ustav (rule)
and a father of monasticism in the Russian land. He was born at Vasilevo, not
far from Kiev. From his youthful years he felt an irresistible attraction for
the ascetic life, and led an ascetic lifestyle while still in his parental
home. He disdained childish games and attractions, and constantly went to
church. He himself asked his parents to let him go to study reading of the holy
books, and through his evident abilities and rare zeal, he quickly learned the
reading of the books, such that everyone was amazed at the intellect of the
lad. At 14 years of age he lost his father and remained under the supervision
of his mother – a woman strict and domineering, but very much loving her son.
She many a time chastised her son for his yearning after asceticism, but he
remained firmly committed to his path. At 24 years of age he secretly left his
parental home and took monastic vows, with the blessing of the Monk Antonii
(Anthony), at the Kievo‑Pechersk monastery with the name Theodosii. After
four years his mother found him and with tears besought him to return home, but
the saint himself persuaded her to remain in Kiev and accept monasticism in the
monastery of Saint Nicholas at the Askol'd cemetery.
The Monk Theodosii
toiled at the monastery more than others and not seldom he took upon himself
part of the work of the other brethren: he carried water, chopped wood, ground
up the rye-grain and carried the flour to each monk. On cold nights he uncovered
his body and let it be food for gnats and mosquitoes, the blood flowed on him,
but the saint patiently occupied himself with handicrafts and sang psalms. In
church he appeared before others and, standing at a place, he did not leave it
until the finish of Divine-services; the readings he listened to with
particular attention.
In 1054 the Monk
Theodosii was ordained to the dignity of priest-monk, and in 1057 he was chosen
hegumen. The fame of his deeds attracted a number of monks to the monastery, at
which he built a new church and cells, and he introduced the Studite
common-life monastic-rule (ustav), a copy of which was made by his
commissioning at Constantinople. In the dignity of hegumen the Monk Theodosii
continued to fulfill very difficult duties at the monastery. The monk usually
partook of only dry bread and cooked greens without oil. The nights passed for
him without sleep in prayer, such that the brethren often took notice of this,
although the chosen one of God also tried to conceal his efforts from others.
No one was to see when the Monk Theodosii dozed lightly, and usually he rested
sitting. During the period of Great Lent the saint withdrew into a cave
situated not far from the monastery, where he asceticised with no one seeing.
His attire was a coarse hair-shirt worn straight over his body, such that in
this old man looking like a beggar it was impossible to recognise the reknown
hegumen, deeply respected by all that knew him.
One time the Monk
Theodosii was returning from GreatPrince Izyaslav. The coachman, not
recognising whom he was, said gruffly: :Thou, monk, art always on holiday, but
I constantly am at work. Get up on my place, and let me ride in the
carriage". The holy elder meekly complied and drove the servant. Seeing
how boyar nobles along the way bowed to the monk driving the horses, the
servant took fright, but the holy ascetic calmed him, and upon their arrival
gave him a meal at the monastery. Trusting on the help of God, the monk did not
keep a large supply of food at the monastery, and therefore the brethren were
in want of their daily bread. Through his prayers, however, unknown benefactors
appeared at the monastery and furnished the necessities for the brethren. The
great princes, and especially Izyaslav, loved to listen to the spiritual
discourse of the Monk Theodosii. The saint was not afraid to denounce the
mighty ones of this world. The unjustly condemned always found in him a
defender, and judges would review matters at the request of the hegumen revered
by all. The monk was particularly concerned about the destitute: he built for
them at the monastery a special courtyard where anyone in need could receive
food and drink. Having sensed beforehand his own end, the Monk Theodosii
peacefully expired to the Lord in the year 1074. He was buried in a cave dug
out by him, into which he secluded himself during lenten periods. The relics of
the ascetic were found uncorrupt in the year 1091. The Monk Theodosii was
enumerated to the ranks of the saints in 1108. From the written works of the Monk
Theodosii there have survived to our time: 6 discourses, 2 missives to
GreatPrince Izyaslav, and a prayer for all Christians. The Vita (Life) of the
Monk Theodosii was compiled by the Monk Nestor the Chronicler, a student of the
great abba, a mere 30 years after his repose, and it was always one of the
favourite readings of the Russian nation. An account about the Monk Theodosii
also is located under 28 September.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
