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This Saint Father was a wealthy merchant in the city of Toropets of the Pskov province. Having decided to become a monk, he gave away all his possessions to the needy and to the monasteries and came into the cave of Saint [[Anthony of the Kiev Caves|Anthony]].

Having become a monk, the Saint Isaac loved the harsh life: not only did he put on sackcloth, but also told to buy a goat and take off his skin. Out of this skin still damp and wet, he made his robe and wore it over the sackcloth so that that skin dried on his body. Then Isaac shut himself in a narrow cave and there prayed to God with tears. Only one little prosphora served him as a food, but also even that he ate it in every other day. He quenched the thirst with water and only in small quantities. St. Anthony brought and gave food and drink to him through a narrow window of such size that it could accommodate only one hand. In addition, Isaac never went to bed but was sitting up during a short sleep. Thus, he spent seven years in the great feats not going outside of his close cell.

When risingOne day in the evening, Isaac saw many began to do prostrations as usual, singing psalms till midnight. Suddenly the cave was illuminated with the great light, bright like the sun, and Isaac was approached by two demonsin the form of beautiful young men. Their faces shone like the sun. One of them was shining more than others, and the rays were proceeding from his face. Then the demons they said to Isaac: "Isaac! That is - Christ. Fall before him and worship him". Failing to understand We are the devilish tricks Angels, and forgetting Christ is coming to make you with the sign of the Cross, Isaac bowed to the demon as if to the Christheavenly hosts". Immediately, the demons have raised a great cry, saying: "Isaac - you are ours now!"

Offering him a seatWhen rising, Isaac saw many demons. Their faces shone like the sun. One of them was shining more than others, they themselves sat around himand the rays were proceeding from his face. Then one of the demons, imaginary Christ, saidto Isaac: "Take the nozzle, harps, Isaac! This is Christ. Fall before him and timbrels and play them and let Isaac dance in front of usworship him". Immediately, Failing to understand the demons began devilish tricks and forgetting to hit in make the nozzlessign of the Cross, timbrels and harps. Seizing Isaac, they began bowed to the demon as if to leap and dance with him for a long timeChrist. Having tired him and leaving him half deadImmediately, the demons disappeared. have raised a great cry, saying: "Isaac - you are ours now!"

The next day in the time when Isaac usually ate his foodOffering him a seat, Stthey themselves sat around him. Anthony went as usual to Then one of the window and demons, imaginary Christ, said: "Bless meTake the pipes, father timbrels and gusli and play them and let Isaacdance in front of us". There was no answer on this. AmazedImmediately, Anthony thought: "Did Isaac repose by any chance?" Then he sent the demons began to play the monastery for Stpipes, timbrels and gusli. [[Theodosius of the Kiev Caves|Theodosius]] Having seized Isaac, they began to leap and dance with him for other brethrena long time. The brethren came Having tired him and dug the cave and brought Isaac outleaving him half dead, thinking he was dead and laid him in front of the cave. But then they noticed that Isaac was still alivedemons disappeared.

Then the abbotThe next day when Isaac usually took his food, St. Anthony went as always to the Saint Theodosius, window and said: "In truthBless me, what happened to him is demonicfather Isaac". There was no answer. Amazed, Anthony thought: "Did Isaac repose by any chance?" Then Isaac was put on he sent to the monastery for St. [[Theodosius of the bed Kiev Caves|Theodosius]] and the Saint Anthony himself took care of himfor other brethren. When Saint Anthony left The brethren came and dug the monastery cave and went to Chernigov, Saint Theodosius took brought Isaacout, moved thinking he was dead and laid him to his cell and took care in front of himthe cave. What is surprising is But then they noticed that within two years, Isaac did eat no bread, no water, no vegetables, and any other food, but was still remained alive, lying on his bed mute and deaf. At the third year Isaac started to speak. Then he begged to put himself at his feet. Then he learned how to eat and gradually completely recovered.

When Then the hegumen, Saint Theodosius reposed, Isaac began again the harsh life saying to the temptersaid: "You deceived meIn truth, the Devil, when I was in seclusion in a cave, but now I do not shut myself, but working in the monastery I will try with God's help what happened to win over youhim is demonic". Then Isaac began to help was put on the cooks bed and worked for the brethrenSaint Anthony himself took care of him. In When Saint Anthony left the church, he entered at matins before everyone monastery and stood motionless in his place. When winter camewent to Chernigov, he stood in the church in very torn shoes despite the bitter coldSaint Theodosius took Isaac, so that moved him to his feet were often frozen to the rock, but he did not shift one foot to the other until the end cell and took care of the servicehim. After matinsWhat is surprising is that within two years, he was the first who went to the bakeryIsaac ate no bread, no water, he was preparing the fireno vegetables, wood and water before the any other monks camefood, but still remained alive, lying on his bed mute and deaf.

Having become a holy fool, he again moved into At the cave of Saint Antony who had already died. The demons tried to frighten himthird year, but he casted them away making the sign of the Cross. And since then the demons could not cause any harm Isaac started to Isaacspeak. Since Then he moved into the cave for the second time, he was fighting against them during three yearsbegged to put himself at his feet. After this, Later he began learned how to have more severe life with greater abstinenceeat and gradually recovered completely.

When Saint Theodosius reposed, Isaac began again the harsh life saying to the tempter: "You deceived me, the Devil, when I was in seclusion in the cave, but now I do not shut myself, but working in the monastery I will try with God's help to vanquish you". Isaac began to help the cooks and worked for the brethren. At matins he entered in the church before everyone and stood motionless in his place. When winter came, he stood in the church in very torn shoes despite the bitter cold, so that his feet were often frozen to the flagstone, but he did not shift one foot to the other until the end of the service. After matins, he was the first who went to the bakery, he was preparing the fire, wood and water before the other monks came.  Once one of the monks, also named Isaac, said laughing at the Saint: "Isaac! There sits a raven, come and catch him". Having bowed to the ground, the humble monk came and took the raven and brought him to the kitchen to the monks. Everyone was surprised at such thing and monks started to respect him since then. But not wanting glory from people, the blessed Isaac took the foolishness on him and began to insult either the hegumen or the brethren, or the laity, so that many even beat him.  Having become a holy fool, he again moved into the cave of Saint Anthony who had already died. The demons tried to frighten him, but he casted them away making the sign of the Cross. And since then the demons could not cause any harm to Isaac. Since he moved into the cave for the second time, he was fighting against them during three years. After this, he began to have more severe life with greater abstinence.  ===Repose=== The time of his death came among these feats. Isaac became sick in his cave and the brethren moved the ailing him into the monastery where he reposed 8 days later. Abbot Hegumen John and all the brethren prepared the body of the Saint and buried him honorably in the cave with other Fathers. So this good soldier of the Christ, first being defeated by the enemy, later himself defeated the Devil and honored to receive the Heavenly Kingdom.

[[Category:11th12th-century saints]]