Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch

Life story

According to the surviving accounts, he was born around 423 in Mogarissos, a village in Cappadocia, in the province of Basil of Caesarea. He came to Jerusalem around the time of the Council of Chalcedon (451). He first trained under the hermit abbot Longinus near the Tower of David, and then lived for a time as a hermit in a cave on a mountain peak.

He then gathered a community of monks near Bethlehem, which later became the Monastery of Saint Theodosius. His friend Sabbas was made archimandrite of the monks living as solitaries in Palestine, while Theodosius was made head of those living in community. The title “Cenobiarch” (leader of the communal monasteries) comes from this; the title archimandrite belonged to Sabbas, not to him.

Because he opposed Monophysitism together with Sabas, Emperor Anastasius I exiled him; Justin recalled him after Anastasius died in 518. He died near Jerusalem on 11 January 529, aged about 105 (one database gives 528).

Works and witness

• Born in Cappadocia and came to Jerusalem around the time of Chalcedon
• Trained under the hermit Longinus near the Tower of David and lived in a cave
• Founded a monastic community near Bethlehem, later named for him
• Led the monks living in community in Palestine, hence the title Cenobiarch

Saints from the same country

Saint Paul, Saint Luke, Saint George, Saint Nicholas

References

• Encyclopedia.com (New Catholic Encyclopedia), "Theodosius of Palestine, St."
• Oxford Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity database, record E06769 (Cyril of Scythopolis, Life of Theodosius)
• Catholic Online, "St. Theodosius the Cenobiarch"

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