Theodosius of the Kiev Caves

Venerable Theodosius, abbot of the Kiev Caves Lavra and father of Russian coenobitic monasticism.

May 3

Theodosius was born near Kiev in the eleventh century and, against his mother's wishes, sought out Saint Anthony in his cave above the Dnieper. He became the second abbot of the community and gave it the coenobitic rule of the Studion, building the first great monastery of Rus.

He was known for humility, tireless labor and boldness before princes. He reposed in 1074, and his relics were later found incorrupt.

September 2

St. Theodosius was born near Kiev in the eleventh century and from youth longed for the monastic life, fleeing his mother's opposition to join St. Anthony in the caves above the Dnieper. He became abbot of the Kiev Caves and gave the brotherhood the cenobitic rule of the Studion monastery.

He is honored as the founder of communal monasticism in Rus', a father of the poor and a fearless counselor of princes. He reposed in 1074; the Greek calendar keeps his memory on September 2.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Theodosius of the Kiev Caves is commemorated on May 3. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on May 16 of the civil calendar.

On the New Calendar, Theodosius of the Kiev Caves is commemorated on September 2. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on September 15 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Theodosios, Theodosius, Theodosis

Also commemorated on May 3

• 

  Timothy and Maura

  Martyr, Τιμόθεος και Μαύρα

  Holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura of Egypt.

  Name days: Timotheos, Tim, Timothy, Mavra, Maura, Mavre

• 

  Peter of Argos

  Hierarch, Πέτρος Άργους

  Bishop Peter of Argos.

  Name days: Petros, Peter

• Xenia of Kalamata

  Holy Woman, Ξενία η Μεγαλομάρτυς

  Great Martyr Xenia of Kalamata, virgin martyr of the Peloponnese under Diocletian.

  Name days: Xenia, Ksenia, Xeni

• Oikoumenios of Trikka

  Hierarch, Οικουμένιος

  Saint Oikoumenios the Wonderworker, Bishop of Trikka in Thessaly.

  Name days: Oikoumenios, Ecumenius

• Diodoros and Rhodopianos

  Martyr, Διόδωρος και Ροδοπιανός

  Holy Martyrs Diodoros and Rhodopianos the Deacon, stoned at Aphrodisias in Caria.

  Name days: Diodoros, Diodorus

• Theophanes of Peritheorion

  Hierarch, Θεοφάνης Περιθεωρίου

  Saint Theophanes, Metropolitan of Peritheorion in Thrace, an Athonite monk and bishop of the fourteenth century.

  Name days: Theophanis, Theofanis, Theophanes