Day of Remembrance of St. Prince Theodore Yaroslavich of Novgorod (18/06)

The elder brother of the holy noble prince Alexander Nevsky, Theodore was born in 1218. Princely service to his native land began very early — already in 1228.

Both brothers were left in Novgorod by their father, Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, as representatives of his power. Less than a year had passed before the young princes had to leave the city; the violent Novgorodians decided to call on another prince at the meeting. In 1230, Prince Theodore, on behalf of his father, again began to reign in Novgorod.

In 1232, 14-year-old Theodore was already called to serve God not only with prayer, but also with the sword: he participates in the campaign of Russian squads against the pagan Mordovian princes. In 1233, at the request of his father, he was supposed to get married, but when the guests had already gathered for a wedding feast, the groom suddenly died. This happened on June 5 (old style) 1233.

Saint Prince Theodore was buried in the Yuryev Monastery in the city of Novgorod. In 1614, the Swedes, having destroyed the monastery, smashed the prince’s tomb and, having acquired his incorruptible relics, abused them, placing their body, «lively», against the church wall.

Now the relics of Saint Prince Theodore rest in the Novgorod St. Sophia Cathedral.

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