Day of Remembrance of St. Theodosius of Pechersk (16/05)

Venerable Theodosius of Pechersk, founder of the dormitory monastery charter and founder of monasticism in the Russian land, was born in Vasilev, not far from Kyiv. From a young age, he discovered an irresistible attraction to ascetic life, leading an ascetic life in his parents' home. He did not like children's games and hobbies, and constantly went to church. He himself begged his parents to give him up to learn how to read sacred books and, with excellent abilities and rare diligence, quickly learned how to read books, so that everyone was surprised at the mind of the boy.

The Monk Theodosius worked in the monastery more than others and often took on part of the works of the brethren: he carried water, cut wood, ground rye and took flour to each monk. On sultry nights, he exposed his body and gave it as food to mosquitoes and midges, blood flowed through it, but the saint patiently did needlework and sang psalms. He appeared at the temple before others and, standing still, did not leave it until the end of the Divine Service; I listened to the reading with special attention.

In 1054, the Monk Theodosius was ordained a hieromonk, and in 1057 he was elected abbot. The fame of his exploits attracted many monks to the monastery, in which he built a new church and cells and introduced a studio dormitory charter, written off, on his instructions, in Constantinople. In the rank of abbot, St. Theodosius continued to perform the most difficult obediences in the monastery. The saint usually ate only dry bread and boiled greens without oil. His nights passed without sleep in prayer, which the brethren noticed many times, although the chosen one of God tried to hide his feat from others.

One day, St. Theodosius was returning from Grand Duke Izyaslav. The driver, who did not yet know him, said rudely: «You, monk, are always idle, and I am constantly in labor. Take my place and let me into the chariot». The holy elder listened meekly and took the servant. Seeing how the boyars he met bowed to the monk, leaving their horses, the servant was afraid, but the holy ascetic calmed him down and, upon arrival, fed him in the monastery. Hoping for God's help, the monk did not keep large supplies for the monastery, so the brethren sometimes suffered the need for their daily bread. Through his prayers, however, unknown benefactors appeared and delivered to the monastery what was necessary for the brethren.

The Grand Dukes, especially Izyaslav, loved to enjoy the spiritual conversation of St. Theodosius. The saint was not afraid to denounce the powers that be. Illegally convicted people always found an intercessor in him, and judges reviewed cases at the request of the abbot revered by everyone. The monk especially cared about the poor: he built a special courtyard for them in the monastery, where anyone in need could receive food and shelter. Having foreseen his death in advance, the Monk Theodosius peacefully departed to the Lord in 1074. He was buried in the cave he dug, in which he retired during Lent.

969