Life and death of St. Theodosius of Pechersk? Theodosius of Pechersk: life, miracles, teachings
Venerable Theodosius of Pechersk - prayer book for Kyiv and our entire Fatherland: I will always be with you in Spirit
On August 27, the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of the transfer of the relics of St. Theodosius of Pechersk from the caves to the Assumption Church of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.
The special significance of St. Theodosius for Orthodoxy is evidenced by the fact that he became the second saint after princes Boris and Gleb, canonized in 1108.
Theodosius was born in the ancient town of Vasilyev (present-day Vasilkov) in 1036. Since childhood, he was distinguished from his peers by his special religiosity, penchant for solitude and spiritual reflection. At the same time, Theodosius was noticeably drawn to study, to reading spiritual literature, which he mastered with ecstasy.
Thoughts about monastic life, about renouncing the world, did not leave young Theodosius from an early age. After many life trials and searches, the young man reached Kyiv and became a student of St. Anthony of Pechersk. In 1058, the Monk Nikon the Great, abbot of the Pechersk monastery, tonsured Theodosius a monk.
All the years of his monastic feat passed in hard work. Never caring about his sinful body, he was concerned only with his soul and its salvation. He was never afraid or avoided hard work, but always sought it out and gladly did everything for himself and for other monks. The Monk Theodosius always prayed fervently and sincerely. During Lent, he retired to a separate cave, remaining in seclusion and solitude until Easter.
For his monastic exploits and special virtues, the brethren of the monastery elected the Monk Theodosius as their abbot in 1062. In this spiritual field, he showed himself, first of all, as the builder of the Pechersk monastery.
The monk founded an above-ground monastery at the site of his exploits, moving the monastic cells from narrow cave passages to stone and wooden buildings. Under his abbess, all the main churches and cells of the monastery were built. In addition, next to the monastery, the Monk Theodosius built a temple in honor of the first martyr Archdeacon Stephen with premises for the sick and needy people.
The monk also deducted tithes from the monastery’s income for their needs. It is necessary to especially note the forgiveness, love and tolerance of Saint Theodosius towards his neighbors. Despite his meekness and kindness of character, the Monk Theodosius ruled the Pechersk monastery with a firm fatherly hand. He was the first to introduce the Studite Rule into the monastery, which served as an example for all other monasteries of Kievan Rus.
The Monk Theodosius died a year after the Monk Anthony, in 1074. Before his death, he gathered the entire monastery brethren around him, commanding them pure and faithful service to the Church and God, patience and love for others. After his death, the body of St. Theodosius was buried in his cell in the Far Caves.
In 1091, Abbot John and the brethren of the Pechersk monastery conferred and decided that the relics of the Venerable Father Theodosius should be in the main monastery church. They decided to transfer the relics of the saint to the Assumption Cathedral.
The Venerable Nestor the Chronicler was entrusted with finding the holy relics, who subsequently described this event. Three days before the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Abbot John took Nestor to the cave of St. Theodosius. After examining the cave, they marked the place where they needed to dig. The abbot forbade the Monk Nestor to tell the brethren about the excavations until the relics were found. To help, Father Abbot allowed Nestor to take whoever he wanted.
The Monk Nestor and two assistant monks dug from sunset to dawn in the Far Caves, but could not find anything. They began to grieve and cry, thinking that the saint did not favor their search. At the same time, this thought was replaced by another - are they looking in the right place? And they began to dig from the opposite side.
They had just struck the morning service when the Monk Nestor came across the tomb of the Monk Theodosius. The relics turned out to be incorrupt, the joints did not fall apart, only the hair had dried on the head.
The discovery of the saint's relics was accompanied by various miracles. That night, many saw an unusual bright light that spread over the monastery.
A miraculous sign that night was also seen by Bishop Stefan of Vladimir (hegumen of the Pechersk monastery in 1074 - 1078), who was in Kyiv in the Klovsky monastery and knew about the search for the relics of St. Theodosius.
When Bishop Stefan saw a bright light over the monastery at night, he thought that the transfer of the relics had begun without him. He mounted a horse, together with Clement, abbot of the Klovsk monastery, and headed to the saint’s cave. As they approached the cave, they saw many bright candles above it, but when they got very close they did not find anything similar.
The next day, the relics were solemnly transferred to the Assumption Cathedral, where they were placed in a specially prepared place, on the right.
In 1108, at the request of Abbot Theoktistus, Metropolitan Nikephoros of Kiev decided at the Council to include Theodosius in the Synodicus in all dioceses. This meant that from that moment they began to celebrate not only the blessed death of St. Theodosius, but also the transfer of his incorruptible relics.
Subsequently, with donations from the princes, a precious silver shrine was made for the relics. In 1240, during the Mongol-Tatar invasion, this shrine, along with other sacred relics, was hidden by the brethren of the monastery under the cover of the Assumption Cathedral, where it is still located.
Even after his death, Saint Theodosius did not leave his spiritual guardianship over Pechersk Lavra, Kiev and our entire Fatherland, because as the saint himself said: “I am leaving you in body, but in spirit I will always be with you.”
Archimandrite Damian (Radzikhovsky), guardian of the Far Caves of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.
TRANSFER OF THE RECENTS OF THEODOSIUS OF PECHERSKY
In the eighteenth year after his blessed death St. Theodosius(+1074; memory May 3/16) by the will of God, the transfer of his incorruptible relics from the cave to the Lavra church took place. In 1091, the brethren of the holy, great and miraculous Pechersk Lavra, having gathered together with their abbot John, unanimously decided to reveal the burial place of St. Theodosius and transfer his holy relics to the cathedral Dormition Church. " We should, brothers, - they said - always have before our eyes the honest shrine of our father and always bring him worthy worship. It is inconvenient for him to be in another place other than the monastery and his church, because he founded it and gathered monastics.” The Venerable Nestor the Chronicler was entrusted with finding the holy relics, who subsequently described their discovery.
Three days before the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Abbot John took St. Nestor to the cave of St. Theodosius. After examining the cave, they determined the place where they needed to dig. The abbot of the monastery forbade the Monk Nestor to inform the brethren about the excavations until the holy relics were found. Father Abbot allowed him to take whomever he wanted to help him. Blessed Nestor himself testifies about himself as follows: “Late in the evening I took with me two brothers, men of a wonderful life - but no one knew more. When did they arrive?
into the cave, then, having made a prayer with worship, they immediately began to sing psalm songs. I started digging; After much labor, I handed the spade to another brother. So they dug until midnight and could not find the relics of the saint. Then we began to mourn and cry; At first we thought that the saint did not deign to reveal himself to us, this thought was replaced by another: are we not digging in the other direction? And then they started digging from the other side. Morning came, the bell rang for matins, and we all kept digging without ceasing. Suddenly I feel that I have reached the coffin; great fear fell upon me and I began to exclaim: “Lord, have mercy on me for the sake of St. Theodosius.” Now he sent to the abbot to say: “Come, father, to bear the venerable relics of the venerable one.” When the abbot arrived, I still dug up the ground and we saw the holy relics resting incorruptibly. All the compositions were intact, the face was bright, the eyes were closed, the lips were closed, the hair of the head stuck to the head. Having placed the relics on the bed, we took them out of the cave. The discovery of the holy relics of St. Theodosius was marked by wondrous signs and wonders. At night, when they were digging up the saint’s grave, many saw an extraordinary radiant light over the cave of Theodosius, spreading over the Great Lavra Church, where his holy relics were transferred.”
A miraculous sign was seen that night by Bishop Stefan of Vladimir, who in 1074-1078. was abbot Pechersky Monastery. He was then in Kyiv in the Klovsky Monastery and knew about the imminent transfer of the holy relics of St. Theodosius. When Bishop Stefan saw a large glow above the cave at night, he thought that the transfer had begun without him. He immediately mounted his horse and, together with Clement, abbot of the Klovsky monastery, went to the saint’s cave. When they approached the cave, they saw many candles above it, but when they got very close, they no longer saw anything.
That night, two brothers, watchmen, were awake in the Pechersk monastery when the abbot secretly, with a brother unknown to them, transferred the honorable relics of the monk; and they looked diligently towards the cave. When they struck the church bell for Matins, they noticed that three pillars in the form of luminous arcs, having stood over the cave of the Monk Theodosius, moved to the top of the Great Church, where the monk was to be transferred. This was also seen by other of the monks going to church for matins; Many of the pious citizens saw it in the city itself.
On August 14, for the feast of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, bishops gathered - Ephraim of Pereyaslavl, Stefan of Vladimir, John of Chernigov, Marin of Yuryev and Anthony of Polotsk, as well as the abbots of many monasteries with monks and many Orthodox laymen. The even relics of St. Theodosius were transferred with due honors to a prepared place on the right side of the vestibule of the Assumption Cathedral of the monastery.
During the transfer of the holy relics, the procession stopped to rest. The relics were placed on a tree stump. Later, a temple was built on this site in the name of St. Theodosius; it was located so that the stump was in the place of the throne.
From the tomb of our father the Monk Theodosius, healings of the sick took place, flowing in great numbers to his holy relics. And 18 years after the transfer of the venerable relics, the Venerable Theodosius of the Pechersk Cathedral of the Russian Church was canonized and his memory has been solemnly celebrated since that time by the entire Orthodox Church. “Rejoice, Father Theodosius,” she sings, “our praise and splendor! Your Lavra boasts of you and your name is famous to the outskirts of the universe.”
Based on materials from the site vosvera.ru 
Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra
Venerable Theodosius of Pechersk
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| Venerable Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk. icon of the 17th century Chernihiv region. |
Often thinking about the salvation of his soul, he decided to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and began to fervently pray to God for the fulfillment of his desire. At that time, wanderers arrived in Kursk on their way to Jerusalem. He asked them to take him with them and secretly left his mother's house. However, she found out where her son had gone and returned him home. The angry mother ordered Theodosius to be subjected to corporal punishment, and then chained and locked up. After some time, having made her son promise not to run away from home, the mother returned his freedom. The Monk Theodosius began to work for the benefit of the Church of Christ. The Divine Liturgy was sometimes not celebrated due to the lack of prosphoras. Saint Theodosius began to buy wheat himself, ground it with his own hands and baked prosphora, which he took to the temple and distributed to the poor. The holy young man devoted two years to this godly work. His peers laughed at him, but the Monk Theodosius patiently endured the ridicule.
The enemy of the human race aroused the mother of the saint against the pious cause. She began to forbid him to bake prosphora and even punished him. Then Saint Theodosius went to another city not far from Kursk to a familiar presbyter and there he continued his labors. The mother found her son and brought him home by force again.
The ruler of Kursk fell in love with young Theodosius for his humility and meekness. He repeatedly presented him with rich clothes, but each time Saint Theodosius gave them to the poor, and he himself continued to wear a simple dress. For the spiritual struggle with passions, Saint Theodosius began to wear an iron belt on his body. It caused his body to bleed under his clothes. But Saint Theodosius endured these sufferings with patience and joy.
The Monk Theodosius lived in his parents' house until he was twenty-three years old. Then he secretly left home and went to Kyiv to become a monk there. At that time, in Kyiv, in a cave, the Monk Anthony (+ 1073; commemorated July 10) was performing a monastic feat. When the young man Theodosius came to Saint Anthony, he, seeing in him a great ascetic, joyfully received him. In 1032, with the blessing of the Monk Anthony, the Monk Nikon (11088; commemorated March 23), a disciple and associate of Abba Anthony, tonsured Saint Theodosius into an angelic image with the same name in 1032. Saint Theodosius began to perform monastic feats with zeal under the guidance of Saint Anthony. He spent his nights praising God, and during the day he was busy with handicrafts. Through abstinence and fasting the holy ascetic humbled his soul, and through vigil and labor he humbled his body.
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| Venerable Theodosius, abbot of Pechersk. |
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| Venerable Theodosius of Pechersk. Icon from the Trinity Gate Church. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. XVIII century |
Theodosius was ordained to the rank of hieromonk. He celebrated the Divine Liturgy daily and was for the brethren an example of meekness, reverent service to God and hard work. Often the Monk Theodosius performed work for other monks. He was the first to come to the temple and the last to leave, and he prayed with great attention. Sometimes, in hot weather, he left the cave and, naked to the waist, did handicrafts and sang psalms, despite the bites of mosquitoes and gadflies.
In 1057, after the departure of the abbot of the monastery, the Monk Varlaam (+ 1065; November 19), to another monastery, the Monk Anthony, at the request of the brethren, appointed the Monk Theodosius as abbot. Having become abbot, Saint Theodosius remained a model of meekness and humility. He was the first to start every business and tried to be a servant to everyone. Since his abbess, the number of brethren increased from 12 to 100 people, so that not everyone could fit in the cave cells. With the blessing of the Monk Anthony, the holy abbot asked Prince Izyaslav for a nearby mountain and soon a large wooden church was erected there in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and cells were built. The brothers moved to a new place. This is how the famous Kiev-Pechersk Monastery arose, a stronghold of monasticism and Orthodoxy on Russian soil.
In the Pechersk monastery, for the first time in Rus', the Charter of the Studite Monastery was introduced. The Monk Theodosius specially sent a monk to Constantinople, to the Studian monastery, to rewrite the text of the Charter of the monastery and study the way of life of its monks.
Caring for the spiritual growth of the flock entrusted to him, the holy abbot walked around the cells of the brethren at night and, if he found monks gathered for idle conversations, he announced his presence by knocking on the door. In the morning, he did not rebuke them, but indirectly tried to instruct and arouse repentance in them. If anyone did not repent, the monk imposed penance on him. In this way the monk taught the brethren to pray and not to be idle.
Saint Theodosius strictly suppressed the self-will of the monks; everything in the monastery was done with the blessing of the elders. The holy abbot forbade the monks to have extra clothes, went around the cells and ordered to remove everything unnecessary that was not required by the rules, instilling in the brethren non-covetousness.
The Monk Theodosius was very merciful. If it happened that a monk, weakened in spirit, left the monastery, he would pray to God for him with tears until he returned. For the poor and sick, the monk built a house with a church near the monastery in the name of the first martyr Archdeacon Stephen. Everything they needed was supplied from the monastery. A tenth of the monastic income was used for this. In addition, every Saturday the monk sent a cart of bread to those imprisoned. Through the prayers of the saint, the brethren never needed anything. Monastic supplies were often replenished miraculously.
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| St. Theodosius of Pechersk. Icon of the iconostasis of the cave church of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. |
There is such a case from the life of a humble ascetic. One day, returning from Prince Izyaslav, the saint was riding a chariot. The driver, seeing his wretched attire, thought that he was a simple monk, and ordered him to sit in his place and drive the chariot. When he found out who the monk traveling with him was, he was very afraid of punishment. But Saint Theodosius fed him in the monastery refectory and sent him away in peace.
Every year, during Great Lent, the Monk Theodosius moved to a cave (where he was later buried) and there he remained in silence until Vai Week. In the cave, the saint was tempted by scarlet spirits, sometimes they even inflicted wounds on him and did not allow him to sleep for several days. With the help of God's grace, the monk defeated the demons, and they began to be afraid to even approach him. The Monk Theodosius secretly went to the Jews living in Kyiv from his brethren and courageously preached the Gospel of Christ among them.
Over time, the number of brethren of the monastery increased so much that the Pechersky Monastery became crowded. Through the prayer of St. Theodosius, the Lord opened the site for the construction of a new temple on the hill adjacent to the monastery. The new stone church was founded in 1073, during the lifetime of St. Theodosius, and the construction of the temple and monastery was completed by the saint’s successors: Abbot Stefan (1074-1078), Nikon (1078-1088) and John (elected abbot in 1088 or 1089) .
The Monk Theodosius predicted his death to the brethren a few days in advance. He gathered the monks of the monastery and last time addressed them with instructions. With tears, Saint Theodosius spoke about diligently visiting the temple, about the fear of God, about love and obedience. He blessed the charterer Stefan to be abbot. For three days the saint was in great relaxation. On Saturday, May 3, 1074, he died peacefully at sunrise during fervent prayer to God.
The body of St. Theodosius was buried in the cave where he usually prayed. In 1091, the holy relics were transferred to the Assumption Church and placed in the narthex with right side. During the Mongol-Tatar invasion, they were hidden under a bushel at the western doors of the same temple. At the Church Council of 1108, under Metropolitan Nikephoros of Kiev (1104-1121), the Monk Theodosius was canonized. From that time on, the day of the saint’s repose (May 3) and the day of the transfer of his venerable relics (August 14) began to be honored everywhere.
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| Our Lady of Pechersk (Svenskaya) with the upcoming Theodosius and Anthony. Icon of 1288 |
The first life of the Monk Theodosius was compiled by the Monk Nestor the Chronicler (+ 1114; commemorated October 27), a disciple of the saint. The Iconographic Original says: “Our Reverend Father Theodosius, abbot of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, head of Russian land monastic common life, in the likeness of gray hair, simple hair, Vlasie’s brada, at the end there were a few hairy hairs, small thin ones for two, monastic vestments, crimson, dark, furry underside, schema on the shoulders, in the hands of a scroll, and in it is written: “I promise to you, brothers and fathers, for even though I depart from you in body, I will always be with you in spirit.”
Rev. Theodosius left five teachings to the Pechersk monks in full (the first and second - about patience and love, the third - about patience and alms, the fourth - about humility, the fifth - about going to church and about prayer), one to the cellarer, four so-called . excerpts of teachings to monks and laity, two teachings to the people “about the executions of God” and “troparary bowls”, two messages to Vel. to Prince Izyaslav [“about the peasant and Latin faith” and “the slaughter of animals on Sunday (week) and about fasting on Wednesday and Friday”] and two prayers (one - “for all Christians”, the other - written at the request of the Varangian prince Shimon, so called prayer of permission).
From the teachings to the monks we learn dark sides monastic life of that time, which neither Nestor the Chronicler nor the Pechersk Paterik, who were exclusively engaged in glorifying the famous monastery, speak about. Theodosius denounces the monks for laziness in worship, non-compliance with the rules of abstinence, collecting property in their cells, dissatisfaction with common clothing and food, grumbling against the abbot for supporting the strange and poor with monastic funds.
Two teachings of St. Theodosius addressed to the whole people: one “about the executions of God” for sins, a remarkable depiction of the remnants of pagan beliefs among the people and the prevailing vices of the time, robbery, self-interest, bribery and drunkenness; the other is directed against drunkenness.
Two messages to Grand Duke Izyaslav respond to contemporary issues: the issue of fasting on Wednesday and Friday is decided in accordance with the Studio Charter; in the message about the Varangian or Latin faith, deviations from Orthodoxy and the customs of the Latins are calculated, all communication with them in food, drink and marriage is prohibited.
In historical terms, the teachings of St. Feodosia have great importance to characterize the morals of that time. Literary works Theodosius of Pechersk became famous not particularly long ago; the authenticity of some of his teachings is subject to strong doubt; so for example, the newest Scientific research They consider two teachings - “about the executions of God” and “about troparary cups” - not to belong to St. Feodosia.
Troparion, tone 8:
Having risen to virtue, / having loved the monastic life from childhood, / having achieved a valiant desire, you moved into a cave / and, having adorned your life with fasting and lightness, / in prayers, as if bodiless, you remained, / in the Russian land, like a bright luminary, shining , Father Theodosius, // pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
(Minea May. Part 1. - M., Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, 2002; Tree. Open Orthodox Encyclopedia).
May 3(16), August 14(27) (Transfer of Relics), August 28 (September 10) (Cathedral of the Holy Fathers of Kiev-Pechersk), September 2(15)
The path to monasticism
Theodosius of Pechersk is revered by the Church as outstanding God's saint, teacher of monks, shepherd.
According to Tradition, he was born in the town of Vasilkov, located approximately 50 fields from Kyiv. The exact date of his birth is unknown to us. As it approaches, it is designated the year 1009.
Theodosius spent his childhood in Kursk, where his father was transferred due to official needs.
From an early age, Theodosius strove for the Lord, attended church, was attentive to divine services, loved to listen to sermons, and generally listened to the word of God.
Children's games, as well as luxury goods, did not interest him. As soon as he grew up, he began to beg his parents to send him to learn to read and write. The parents, seeing this as a good omen, fulfilled their son’s wish.
Theodosius studied diligently and diligently; At the same time, he behaved modestly, was not arrogant with his peers, and was obedient and meek with his elders.
At the age of fourteen he lost his own father, and all the burdens of upbringing fell on the shoulders of his mother, a powerful and strict woman. She loved her son, but it was a partial, largely blind maternal love. The mother could not, and did not strive to balance her influence on her son with his deepest inclinations and aspirations.
Theodosius’s desire to serve God with all his heart met with disapproval and even resistance on her part. She did not want to agree that her son would give up happiness in her understanding of the word. But the son saw happiness in something else: in service and unity with the Lord.
One day, the Providence of God brought him together with a group of wanderers who told him about sacred places. Carried away by the story, Theodosius asked them to take him with them, and they agreed. Having discovered the disappearance of her son, the mother rushed after him, and when she overtook him, she scolded him, beat him and locked him in the hut. There he spent about two days without food. Then she fed him, but did not release him, but left him in bonds in the seclusion, where he spent several days.
When the mother was sure that Theodosius would not run away again, she released him. He began to go to God’s temple again.
Having learned that the church often lacks prosphoras and this shortage negatively affects the schedule of services, Theodosius undertook to make them and deliver them to the church. At first, the mother reacted to this with dissatisfaction, and later this new activity of her son began to irritate her. She told him that his neighbors were laughing at him, and not only at him, but at his family in general.
Theodosius, flaming with a desire to help the Church and participate in its life, decided to run away from his parents’ home again. He hid in another city, finding shelter with a priest, and there he continued to bake prosphora. But the mother, persistent in her truth, found her son there too, returned him to his parents’ shelter and strictly forbade him to make prosphoras.
The pious life of Theodosius attracted the attention of one important nobleman, the city commander, who invited him to work at his church. It happened that the boss gave Theodosius good clothes, seeing that he was walking around in rags, but Theodosius immediately hurried to give the clothes to one of the beggars.
Imitating the ascetics, he began to wear chains on his body, which caused his body to bleed from time to time. The attentive mother, having discovered blood on the clothes and having found out the reason, immediately tore off the chains from her son, beat him like a mother, and decisively dissuaded him from putting them on again.
Life twist
One day, while standing in church at a service, Theodosius heard the words that whoever loves his father or mother more than Christ is not worthy of Him. These words sank deeply into his kind, matured soul.
And he decided to run again. Seizing the moment when his mother was not at home, he left his city and went in the direction of Kyiv. Not knowing the way, he stuck to the convoy and thus reached his destination.
Having arrived at the place, Theodosius began to look for a monastery where they would be ready to accept him as a novice. The abbot of one of them, having assessed him by his torn rags appearance, but without appreciating his virtue and piety, he sent him on his way. Someone refused him due to his young age.
When the saddened young man heard about the cave dweller Anthony, who was laboring nearby, he immediately went to him and began to tearfully beg him to call him to him. The Monk Anthony, having listened to Theodosius, tried to dissuade him, saying that it would be difficult for him, still a young, spiritually fragile person, to live among the dark, silent caves.
However, Theodosius showed firmness and expressed his readiness to endure the hardships and sorrows of a hermit’s life. Anthony, seeing in him a vessel of the Holy Spirit, gave his fatherly blessing.
In 1032, Nikon, at the direction of the elder, tonsured Theodosius into monasticism, in the twenty-fourth year of his life. The young monk zealously fulfilled his obedience, prayed a lot and willingly, and observed vigils and fasts.
Four years later, sensitive mother's heart found Theodosius among the stones and caves. Theodosius refused to meet with his mother, saying that from now on he belonged to God, that he was a monk, a cave dweller. Then the mother turned to Saint Anthony, and he already convinced Theodosius of the appropriateness of the meeting. Seeing her beloved son, she begged him to return home, but he not only insisted on his own, but also managed to convince her to enter the monastery. When his mother entered the convent of St. Nicholas, he thanked God.
Priesthood, abbesses
The brethren marveled at the fortitude and exploits of Theodosius. And so he was ordained a priest and made abbot of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. During this period, he further strengthened his monastic feat and cared a lot about the improvement of the monastery and improving spiritual life. Under him, for example, a spacious church was erected in the name of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The internal life of the Kiev-Pechersk monastery was built under Feodosia in accordance with the charter of the cenobitic Studite monastery. Everything was done according to strict order and order.
According to one of the rules, it was necessary to keep the monastery gates locked from lunch to vespers and not open them (without a special blessing) for anyone. Once, Prince Izyaslav experienced this rule on himself, when, having arrived with the youths before Vespers, he was forced to wait until the gatekeeper (who knew that it was the prince in front of him) reported to the abbot and received permission to let him through.
Theodosius often personally participated in monastic work, together with the monks. He worked in a bakery, carried water, chopped wood.
One day he was returning from the prince in a cart, and the coachman, seeing his old clothes, did not think that in front of him was a famous abbot, and, moreover, respected by the prince. Believing that in front of him was a simple monk, he accused him of being a monk and a slacker, unlike him, a coachman working in the sweat of his brow. Having said this, he invited Theodosius to sit on his horse, and he himself made himself comfortable to rest.
The elder humbly took the place pointed to by the coachman. Along the way they met nobles who bowed to Theodosius. The coachman was at first perplexed, and then, realizing what the matter was, he was seriously frightened. To calm him down, Theodosius switched places with him. When they arrived at the monastery, the monks greeted him with honor, causing the coachman to become even more anxious, but the abbot again calmed him down and ordered him to treat him.
After Prince Izyaslav was expelled from Kyiv by Vsevolod and Svyatoslav, Saint Theodosius began to denounce the latter, who had seized the throne of his exiled brother. At first he continued to commemorate church prayers Izyaslav, but Svyatoslav refused. But then, at the request of the brethren, for the attention and help of Svyatoslav to the Church, he began to remember.
Subsequently, their relationship improved. Once Father Theodosius, while visiting Svyatoslav in the palace, heard loud music and songs. Sitting next to the prince, the monk, with good feeling and pastoral humility, asked, will it be so in the next world? The prince shed tears and ordered that such music should no longer be played in the presence of Theodosius.
With the increase in the number of brethren, Theodosius expanded the boundaries of the monastery and organized the construction of new cells. Before the end of earthly life, the monastery already possessed many possessions.
The saint was notified in advance of his approaching death. Just before his death, he called the brethren out of their obediences, warned them that he would soon leave the earthly world, gave a pastoral blessing and instruction, and then sent them away in peace. Having given a few more private orders and prayed fervently, he lay down on his bed, again turned to the Lord and rested. This happened on May 3, 1074.
Troparion to St. Theodosius of Pechersk, tone 8
Having risen to virtue, having loved the monastic life from childhood, / you achieved a valiant desire, you moved into a cave / and, adorning your life with fasting and lightness, / you remained in prayers, as if bodiless, / in the Russian land, like a bright luminary, shining, Father Theodosius, // pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion to St. Theodosius of Pechersk, tone 3
Today we honor the Russian star, / which shone from the east and came to the west, / having enriched this entire country with miracles and kindness, and all of us / with the deeds and grace of the monastic rule, // of Blessed Theodosius.
Troparion to St. Theodosius, tone 8
Teacher of Orthodoxy, / teacher of piety and purity, / lamp of the universe, / God-inspired fertilizer for the bishops, / Theodosius the wise, / with your teachings you have enlightened everything, O spiritual disciple, // pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion to Saint Theodosius, tone 8
You were the heir of the fathers, reverend, / following their 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 Venerable Fathers of Kiev-Pechersk, tone 4
The mental sun and the bright moon, / of the original Pechersk, / with the entire council of saints, we will today honor, / because they illuminate the church firmament, / enlighten in the darkness of the passions of those in distress, / and give help from Christ God with their prayers in all sorrows, // and to souls ours are asked for deliverance.
Kontakion to the Venerable Fathers of Kiev-Pechersk, tone 8
Chosen from all generations, the saints of God, / the holy venerable Pecherstia, / who shone with virtues on these mountains, / the earth did not hide you, / but Heaven opened to you and the village of paradise. / Likewise, we offer songs of praise to God, who glorified you, / in your memory; But you, as those who have boldness, / protect your council from all troubles with your prayers, // as our intercessors and intercessors to God.
Troparion to Saints Theodosius and Anthony of Pechersk, tone 4
The stars of thought, / that shone in the firmament of the Church, / the foundation of the Russian monks, / with songs, people, we honor, / giving these joyful praises, / rejoice, blessed fathers, Anthony and Theodosius the God-wise, // always praying for those who follow and honor your memory.
Troparion to Saints Theodosius and Anthony of Pechersk, tone 3
Let us honor the two initial Russian luminaries, / Anthony, sent by God, and Theodosius, bestowed by God: / they were the first, who, like angels in Russia, shone forth from the Kyiv mountains, / illuminating the entire ends of our fatherland, / and showing the right path to Heaven to many, / and , the first fathers of the former monk, brought the faces of those being saved to God, // and now, standing in the highest to the unflickering Light of the Divine, they pray for our souls.
Kontakion to Saints Theodosius and Anthony of Pechersk, tone 8
The two great fathers and the bright rule of the monks, / the wise dawn that enraged the Russian Church, / who will sing the praises of their heritage? They stand before the Throne of God. / But as those who have the boldness to Holy Trinity, / Most blessed Anthony and Theodosius of ever-memorable, / pray for those who bring you prayers // and please you with songs of love.
Kontakion to Saints Theodosius and Anthony of Pechersk, tone 2
Let us praise the solid pillars of piety, the immovable foundation of monastic laws, and the insurmountable walls of Russia: / Anthony, beloved of God, and Theodosius, beloved of God: / their labors and fasting exploits are more acceptable than any fruitfulness, // one glorified among the saints.
F Eodosius of Pechersk was the second saint solemnly canonized by the Russian Church, and its first reverend. Just as Boris and Gleb forestalled St. Olga and Vladimir, St. Theodosius was canonized earlier than Anthony, his teacher and the first founder of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery. Together they became the founders of monasticism in Rus'.
Founded by the Monk Anthony and arranged by the Monk Theodosius, the Kiev-Pechersk monastery became a model for other monasteries and was of great importance for the development of the Russian Church. From its walls came famous archpastors, zealous preachers of the faith and wonderful writers. Of the saints who were tonsured at the Kiev-Pechersk monastery, Saints Leonty and Isaiah (bishops of Rostov) and Nifont (bishop of Novgorod) are especially famous. Rev. Kuksha (enlightener of the Vyatichi), writers Rev. Nestor the Chronicler and Simon.
... N and at the dawn of the 11th century (it is not precisely established) in the city of Vasiliev, not far from Kyiv, a baby appeared in the family of a judge.
The priest gave him the name Theodosius and predicted that the newborn would devote himself to God.
And indeed, the boy was very different from his peers, and this was noticed by many in Kursk, where, soon after the birth of Theodosius, the family settled at the behest of the prince. Feodosia avoided playful children, preferred discreet clothes, even patched ones, and showed an increased interest in the church.
Concerned parents tried to persuade Theodosius to give himself up to children's pastimes and to dress more decently, but the boy did not respond to these persuasion and only asked to be taught divine literacy. When, finally, his will was fulfilled, Theodosius greedily became addicted to religious literature. He showed brilliant ability to study, but did not boast of it, maintaining emphasized humility and obedience both in his relations with the teacher and in his interactions with fellow students.
Feodosia was barely 13 years old when his father died, and his mother began to dominate the house even more energetically. Having been widowed early, she lived freely, but this did not stop her from “holding a large trade in her hands.” The house was a complete house, one of the richest in Kursk. The top floor was occupied by a family, below there was a kitchen, in the courtyard there were warehouses, workshops, residential huts, and everything was behind a high log fence with a prickly ridge of iron spikes. Family wealth increased.
The mother was hard on her slaves and did not spare her son. When Theodosius went to work in the fields, his mother considered this an insult to her honor and did not slap him on the head, like other parents, instructing their children, but beat him, sometimes cruelly, like the adults who were submissive to her.
Admired by the earthly life of Jesus Christ, Theodosius dreamed of making a pilgrimage. When wanderers once appeared in the city, he asked them to take him as a traveling companion to visit places associated with the life of Jesus Christ.
The young man's secret departure from home was noticed, and his mother, taking with her only youngest son, went in pursuit of the pilgrims.
She traveled a long way before she caught up with blessed Theodosius, “and grabbed him, and in anger grabbed him by the hair, and, throwing him to the ground, began kicking him, and showered the wanderers with reproaches, and then returned home, leading Theodosius, tied up as if the robber. And she was so angry that when she came home, she beat him until she was exhausted.”
Theodosius was tied up and left locked up in solitude. His mother fed and freed him only two days later, having previously restrained her son’s legs for a long time with heavy shackles so that he would not run away from home again.
She loved her son with a heavy love. Theodosius accepted it as punishment, only strengthening his will and thoughts of asceticism in the name of the Lord.
When mercy finally won, the shackles were removed, and the son was allowed to “do whatever he wants.” And the boy began to go to church often again. I once noticed that there is often no liturgy due to the lack of prosphora. I was very sad about this until I decided to start making prosphoras for everyone. It took about a dozen years, but every day Theodosius “had a new miracle - that from pale dough, smelling damp, the power of fire and the cross would create the flesh of God, the salvation of men.”
Believers bought prosphora with bright joy (“It was God’s will that pure prosphora be brought to the Church of God from the hands of a sinless and immaculate youth”).
With the proceeds, Theodosius bought grain, ground it himself and baked the prosphora again. He generously distributed his profits to the poor, being in many ways like them. On this occasion and in connection with his unusual occupation, the young man heard a lot of offensive words that his peers heaped on him. But if only the good fellows of Kursk knew who they were mocking - a person who was destined to enter the circle of advanced educators and contemporary society and future generations.
Theodosius’s mother more and more insistently excommunicated Theodosius from an unusual activity for a young man, but Theodosius reasoned differently: “Jesus Christ gave his disciples bread with the words “Take and eat, this is my body, broken for you and for many others, so that you may be cleansed from all sins.” If the Lord himself called our bread his flesh, then how can I not rejoice that he has vouchsafed me to partake of his flesh.” The mother insisted:
Give it up! Well, what’s the point of baking prosphora! And she backed up her demand with beatings. One day, in the dead of night, a desperate young man left again parents' house.
A priest gave him shelter in one of the cities close to Kursk. Apparently, he was a perspicacious man, since he was attentive to the interests of the young man.
Theodosius was allowed to stay in the church permanently. Fascinated by him, they more than once gave expensive clothes, but the young man gave them away to the poor, and under his old clothes he began to wear an iron belt made by a blacksmith. Gnawing into the body, the belt reminded every minute of humility and asceticism. And the youthful faith was strengthened, and the consciousness was encouraged and enlightened. In the name of love for God, Theodosius was ready for any test.
He read the Gospel from memory: “If anyone does not leave his father and mother and follow Me, then he is not worthy of me... Come to me, all you who suffer and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my burden upon yourself, and learn from me meekness and humility, and you will find peace for your souls...” And he was inflamed with zeal and love for God, dreaming of going to a monastery, to Kyiv itself.
When such an opportunity presented itself, Theodosius was on the road for three weeks. Having reached the desired Kyiv, he visited all the monasteries, begging to accept him, until he heard about Blessed Anthony living in a cave.
Anthony, shrewdly sensing that the young man had a great future, allowed Theodosius to stay with him.
Theodosius devoted himself entirely to serving God, prayed and fasted frantically, just like those who were nearby with him are the Monk Anthony and the great Nikon. Then, at their great request, the first of the princely boyars, John, in monasticism Varlaam, and the manager of the princely house, named in monasticism Ephraim, were tonsured as monks. Having learned about this, Prince Izyaslav became terribly angry, but Nikon explained: “By the grace of God, I tonsured them, at the behest of the heavenly King and Jesus Christ, who called them to such a feat.”
Life in a cave. Rye bread and water. On Saturdays - lentils or just boiled vegetables.
Gradually the number of monks increased. Some people wove shoes so that they could buy grain in the city with the money they earned from them, while others tended to gardening. They came together to church, sang the funeral service for the prescribed hours and performed the service. And again, after eating a little bread, everyone returned to their work.
Theodosius of Pechersk surpassed everyone in humility and obedience. He was well cut and sewn tightly and took the hardest work onto his shoulders. He carried firewood from the forest. He stayed awake at night, praising God in prayer. Sometimes they noticed how at night he exposed his body to the waist, spinning wool for weaving shoes and singing David's psalms. Gadflies and mosquitoes mercilessly bit his body, feeding on blood. Having experienced this torture, Theodosius came to matins before everyone else. His authority steadily increased, and one day the monks unanimously “announced the Monk Anthony” that they “appointed themselves as abbot” of Blessed Theodosius, “for he ordered monastic life according to rank, and knew the divine commandments like no one else.” This happened in 1057. Although Theodosius became senior over everyone, he did not change his usual humility, he remembered the words of the Lord, who said: “If any of you wants to be a mentor to others, then let him be the most humble of all and a servant of all...”
And many nobles came to the monastery and gave him some share of their wealth.
Hegumen Theodosius used these donations, as well as other funds collected from the people, to build a church in the name of the holy and glorious Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary. “And he surrounded that place with a wall, and built many cells. And he moved there” from the cave with the brethren in the year 6570 (1062). And from that time on, by divine grace, that place rose and there is a glorious monastery, which to this day we call Pechersk..."
The holy abbot of Feodosia introduced the communal rules for the first time in Rus'. It was borrowed from the Studite Monastery (Constantinople) and subsequently became the main regulatory document for all ancient Russian monasteries. The activities of Abbot Theodosius greatly contributed to the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery becoming the center of Russian culture.
During the period of Great Lent, Theodosius secluded himself in his cave, shutting himself up until Palm Week, and on Friday of that week, at the hour of evening prayer, he returned to church, taught everyone and consoled them in their asceticism and fasting. After the evening singing, he sat down to take a nap, because he never went to bed, but if he wanted to sleep, he “sat on a chair and, having dozed there a little, got up again for the night singing and kneeling.”
He taught the monks to sacredly follow the monastic rules, not to talk to anyone after evening prayer, to retire to their cell, to pray to God, and not to allow idleness. Engage in crafts, singing the psalms of David, in order to feed the poor and strangers with your labor.
At the monastery, Theodosius set up a reception house for the poor and wretched, to whom he assigned a tenth of the monastery’s income. “Every week the reverend sent a cart of provisions to the prisons.”
The Kiev-Pechersk Monastery attracted a great number of believers, and the Monk Theodosius became the spiritual mentor of many princes and boyars. Having confessed to the great Theodosius, they did not skimp on donations, some gave complete settlements, others presented the monastery with gold and other jewelry. And the good abbot hatched plans to build a large church, since the wooden one had become too small for the people flocking to it.
The rank of abbot did not change the way of life of Theodosius in any way. He still went to work first, was the first to go to church, and was the last to leave. His clothing was a hair shirt made of prickly wool, which he hid under his shabby retinue. “Many foolish people mocked this wretched garment and reproached him.”
Meanwhile, the abbot’s influence extended to political life.
By his way of life, the Monk Theodosius strengthened the strength of those around him. He ate, as before, only dry bread and boiled vegetables without oil, washed down with water. But he supported everyone who turned to the monastery both spiritually and financially.
Theodosius was an intercessor not only of the disadvantaged people, but also in princely circles his word was significant.
Having learned that the princes Svyatopolk and Vsevolod expelled their elder brother Izyaslav from Kyiv, Theodosius of Pechersk wrote to the prince: “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to God, like Abel’s blood against Cain.”
The prince was angry! But, having cooled down, he did not dare to raise his hand against the great righteous man and asked permission to come to the monastery to make peace with him. “And what, good lord, can our anger be against your power?” responded Theodosius. “But it is fitting for us to reprove you and teach you about the salvation of the soul. And you should listen to this.” And he continued to insist that the throne be returned to Izyaslav, to whom he had been entrusted by his father.
While at the head of the monastery, Theodosius constantly communicated with the Monk Anthony and received spiritual instructions from him. He outlived the elder by only one year, but managed to lay the foundation for the spacious stone Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
On the new building, Theodosius worked with enthusiasm, not shying away from the most menial work, but the construction of the church was completed after his soul left his body. The abbot predicted when he would go to the Lord. And he bequeathed: “... this is how you will learn about my boldness before God: if you see that our monastery is thriving, know that I am near the Lord of Heaven; if you ever see the impoverishment of the monastery, and it falls into poverty, then know “that I am far from God and do not have the courage to pray to Him.” And he asked to put his body in the cave where he was fasting.
“The Kiev-Pechersk Monastery was orphaned by its great abbot in the year 6582 (1074) of the month of May, on the third day, on Saturday, as Saint Theodosius predicted, after sunrise.”
The Orthodox Church reveres St. Theodosius of Pechersk as the founder of monasticism in Rus'. Secular society recognizes in Feodosia Pechersk an outstanding ancient Russian writer, founder of the famous Kiev-Pechersk Monastery and reformer of its Charter, as an influential political figure of his time.
Unfortunately, the authorship of works of ancient Russian literature cannot always be established. However, it is known for certain that Theodosius of Pechersk is the creator of at least eleven essays. These are two messages to Prince Izyaslav Yaroslavich - “On the week” and “On the peasant and Latin faith”, 8 “Words” and “Teachings” to the monks, namely: “On patience and love”, “On patience and humility”, “On spiritual benefit”, “On going to church and on prayer”, believers also know his prayer “For all the peasants”.
The people of Kursk have the right to be proud that the founder of Russian spirituality was formed on our land and as a person who managed to build his destiny in spite of the existence around him.
3 May the church celebrates the day of remembrance of Theodosius of Pechersk. The people of Kursk honor their great fellow countryman - the “father of Russian monasticism”, the founder of Russian spirituality. The Kursk Orthodox gymnasium bears the name of this saint. In the region there is the Regional Medical and Social Rehabilitation Center named after. Venerable Theodosius of Pechersk.
Theodosius of Pechersk became the second saint canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, and the first who during his lifetime was awarded the title “venerable,” that is, righteous, pleasing to God.
Venerable Theodosius of Pechersk. 19th century icon
Theodosius was born between 1035-1038. V Kyiv lands(in the fortified city of Vasilyev, founded by Vladimir I, - now the city of Vasilkov near Kiev) in a family of wealthy landowners. He learned to read and write early. After the death of his father, Theodosius was 13 years old, his mother was in charge of everything in the house - a powerful and intolerant woman (“... and body is strong and strong, like her husband”): whatever she says, she will not back down.
Theodosius grew up as a quiet boy, did not play or have fun with his peers, and spent his time reading books. He was not attracted by either the table with abundant food or expensive beautiful clothes. Already in adolescence he was distinguished by piety and humility.
Reading Christian literature From his youth, Theodosius chose for himself the ideal of a hermit. Having begun to embody his chosen path, he refused to wear a rich dress, dressed in rags (“His clothes were tattered and shabby”), he wanted to work like a serf (“he went out to the village with slaves and worked with all humility”), Theodosius met with severe opposition from mother. She repeatedly tried the traditional Russian method of persuasion - rods below the waist. It didn't help. The youth, choosing the moment, ran away from home, accosting people wandering around the World.
The first trip was short. The mother soon caught up with the fugitive. “Having caught up with him, in great anger she began to inflict severe beatings on him, throwing him to the ground and trampling him underfoot,” and then she put him in chains so that he would not think of leaving the house again. Soon the son, as if coming to his senses, promised his mother not to run away anymore. Freed from shackles, Theodosius began to attend church, and in free time He was engaged in a “poor profession” - baking prosphoras - round bread made from wheat flour - as a gift to the church. The mother was offended by this activity of her son, and again abuse and beatings rained down on the soul and body of the child.
Mother never ceased to insist on her son’s return to ordinary worldly life. She was one of those very mothers who “cryed for their sons as if they were dead” when Prince Vladimir I ordered them to be apprenticed. Here the struggle of two generations was clearly visible: the old, pagan, represented by the mother, and the new, Christian, enlightened by book teaching, represented by the son.
Theodosius silently persisted. At the age of 14, having broken his promise to live humbly, he again ran away from home and went to Holy Places. He did not reach Jerusalem, was caught, beaten and returned home by his mother.
Secretly from his mother, Theodosius began to wear chains, but she noticed this and tore off his chains. So much so that due to the wounds he received, he could no longer put them on.
Theodosius went on the run again. And soon he found a worthy refuge - with hermits led by Anthony, in small earthen caves on the banks of the Dnieper in the vicinity of Kyiv. The hermits built such unsightly dwellings themselves. There were few requirements for their inhabitants: to live off their labor and be able to steadfastly endure the hardships of life as a hermit.
The place of the initial feat of the Pechersk monks
Theodosius lived according to the rules - on bread and water, and tried in every possible way to serve the local brethren: he chopped wood, carried water, even knitted woolen socks and hats - and so on day after day. But the hardest part began when night fell. Theodosius left the cave, exposing his body to mosquitoes and gadflies. Insects flew at the sufferer in clouds, but Theodosius bravely endured and, in order to resist the temptation to drive them away with his hands, he spun wool (wool), singing psalms. His whole body was stained with blood, but he did not go into the cave until the morning. Why did Theodosius need to torture himself like that, a modern reader will ask?
Historian's opinion.P.N. Miliukov: “We must not forget, first of all, that today’s ascetic was yesterday’s member of the same society, although, perhaps, its best representative... In most cases, it was, like Abbot Theodosius himself, a strong and robust physical nature, accustomed to endure all the inconveniences of the then uncultured life. Physical feats were the most familiar to such a nature. Chopping wood, carrying it to the monastery, carrying water, carpentry, grinding flour or working in the kitchen meant for the brethren to continue within the walls of the monastery the same activities to which they were accustomed in the world. Real exploits began when it came to deprivation of food and sleep. The fight against these needs of nature—fasting and vigil—was therefore considered a particularly high feat of the spirit.”
The day came when the abbot of the monastery, Anthony, ordered Theodosius to be tonsured a monk. Having earned the respect of the brethren, from 1062 until his death, he was abbot of the monastery. He erected many monastic buildings into which the Monkmen were resettled. From that time on, the monastery began to be called Pechersky, for its inhabitants formerly lived in caves. The wooden Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was also erected here (later the church was built of stone).
Cell of St. Theodosius of Pechersk in the Far Caves
Theodosius established, according to the monastic charter he introduced according to the Greek model, a strict order. The brethren began to “neither groan nor sigh” without his knowledge: he strictly settled the monks in their cells; checked their availability on the ground day and night; he forbade conversations after prayer, even imposed penance on violators; introduced identical clothing, did not allow people to have their own things (he burned them in the oven “as if they were part of the enemy”); he himself began to wear “a hard hair shirt on his body, and on top of another, very worn one, which he put on so as not to show people the prickly hair shirt underneath; introduced a common meal for everyone and only from those products that he himself ordered (he even forced them to throw “unnecessary” food into the river). The charter of the Pechersk Monastery, and therefore the orders introduced by Theodosius, extended to other monasteries.
Having gained strength and influence, Theodosius went further in his plans and actions. He began to influence worldly life, speaking out against princely strife. He fought with Prince Svyatoslav after the brothers Svyatoslav and Vsevolod expelled their elder brother Izyaslav from the Kyiv throne.
In the end, Svyatoslav and Theodosius made peace: religious and princely power could no longer exist without each other in those days. Svyatoslav became a frequent guest in the monastery, Theodosius - in the prince's mansion.
The severity of Theodosius often terrified Christian souls that were not yet strong. Even the invasions of nomads were interpreted by him as God's punishment for human sins.
Chronicle view(according to V.O. Klyuchevsky):“The chronicler describes the invasion of the filthy on the Russian land, the troubles that it suffers from them. Why does God allow the infidels to triumph over Christians? Do not think that God loves the former more than the latter: no, he allows the wicked to triumph over us not because he loves them, but because he has mercy on us and wants to make us worthy of his mercy, so that we, admonished by misfortunes, leave the path of wickedness. The filthy ones are the batog with which Providence corrects its children.”
Theodosius performed many good deeds. In teachings and in practice, he was known as a guardian of the humiliated and wretched: he declared intercession for the unjustly offended secular power(there is a known case when Theodosius influenced a judge to protect an insulted widow), built an almshouse (a charitable institution) for the sick and crippled, and sent bread from the monastery to prisoners in dungeons.
A loving mother For a long time Theodosia consoled herself with the hope of returning her son to worldly life. But he remained adamant to her pleas. In response to the request of the suffering and aged mother to at least see each other more often, Theodosius advised her to cut her hair and go to work. convent- the only chance for them to get closer. And the mother followed his advice...
Theodosius of Pechersk with his life in 14 hallmarks, icon
Theodosius owns two messages to Prince Izyaslav Yaroslavich, teachings “on different cases", as well as prayers "for all the peasants." All of them are written simply and with great feeling: for the brethren - about monastic vows (especially about non-covetousness) and duties; for the people - about the fight against paganism; for everyone - against idolatry and drunkenness.
The relevance of the behests of the father of Russian monasticism is on the surface of the realities of modern times. His teachings and experience in the struggle for the preservation of religious and state values are an excellent example for modern leaders Slavic states and servants of the Russian Orthodox Church. Theodosius fought against the princely strife - today the leaders of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia should do the same consistently and with God in their souls and deeds to ensure unity between our fraternal peoples. Hegumen fought for purity Orthodox religion and the moral impeccability of its ministers - and here there is something for the current pastors of the Orthodox Church to learn for healing church schism in Ukraine.
The words of Theodosius of Pechersk sound like a testament to us, now living and to all subsequent generations of Orthodox people: “There is no better faith than ours, pure, honest, holy; By living in this faith, you can get rid of sins and become a partaker of eternal life.”
