View source for Spyridon and Nicodemus, the Prosphora Bakers of the Kiev Near Caves

The Venerable '''Spyridon and Nicodemus, the Prosphora Bakers of the Kiev Near Caves''' fulfilled their [[monasticism|monastic]] obedience by baking [[prosphora]] for thirty years. They are commemorated on [[September 28]], [[October 31]], and the second Sunday of Great Lent.

==Life==
St. Spyridon came to the [[Monastery of the Kiev Caves]] during the time of Igumen Pimen (1132-1141), when he was no longer a young man. There, he was joined by St. Nicodemus, and together they toiled and led a strict [[asceticism|ascetic]] life while baking prosphora, a duty which they combined with unceasing prayer and singing of the [[Psalms]]. 

St. Spyridon was illiterate, but he knew the entire [[Psalter]] by heart. Even during his life he was glorified by miracles. Once, his mantle caught fire from the oven. Yet, after the fire was put out, his mantle remained undamaged.

After their repose, Spyridon and Nicodemus were laid to rest in the Near Caves of St. [[Anthony of the Kiev Caves|Anthony]], where the three fingers of the right hand of the [[relics]] of St. Spyridon are positioned to make the [[Sign of the Cross]].

==Sources==
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=102800  OCA: Venerable Spyridon the Prosphora-baker of the Kiev Caves]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=103129  OCA: Venerable Spyridon the Prosphora-baker of the Kiev Caves]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=103130   OCA: Venerable Nicodemus the Prosphora Baker of the Kiev Near Caves]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=102767  OCA: Venerable Nicodemus the Prosphora Baker of the Kiev Near Caves]

[[Category: Saints]]
[[Category: Russian Saints]]
[[Category: Monastics]]
[[Category:12th-century saints]]