Saint Theodosius of Kiev

Life story

Theodosius was born around 1008 or 1009 near Kiev, at a place the sources call Vasylkiv or Vasilevo. According to the Orthodox Church in America's life, his father died when he was fourteen and he was raised by his strict mother. He lived ascetically in his parents' home, attended church often, and learned to read the holy books very early.

At twenty-four he left home in secret. Saint Anthony at the Kiev Caves Monastery gave him the monastic tonsure with the name Theodosius. He was ordained hieromonk in 1054 and chosen hegumen (abbot) after Barlaam left; the Orthodox Church in America gives the year 1057, while the Encyclopedia of Ukraine gives 1062, so the exact date is uncertain.

He obtained the community rule of the Studion monastery in Constantinople, through a Greek monk named Michael, and applied it at the Caves. From there the rule spread to other monasteries in the Ukrainian and Russian churches. His life was written by Nestor the Chronicler in the twelfth century.

He died on 3 May 1074 in Kiev and was buried in a cave he had dug himself. According to the Orthodox Church in America his relics were found incorrupt in 1091 and he was glorified as a saint in 1108. The Orthodox Church keeps his feast on 3 May and the translation of his relics on 14 August. This bio reports only his veneration in the Orthodox tradition.

Works and witness

• Received the monastic tonsure at the Kiev Caves under Saint Anthony
• Abbot of the Kiev Caves Monastery (about 1057–1062)
• Introduced the Studite rule to Kiev, later adopted by other Rus' monasteries
• His life was written by Nestor the Chronicler in the twelfth century
• Relics found in 1091 and glorified as a saint in 1108

Saints from the same country

Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych, Blessed Omelyan Kovch, Blessed Theodore Romzha, Blessed Vasyl Velychkovsky

References

• Orthodox Church in America, Venerable Theodosius of the Kiev Far Caves (oca.org)
• Encyclopedia of Ukraine, Saint Theodosius of the Caves (as summarised via search) and Wikipedia, Theodosius of Kiev (cross-check)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.