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[[Image:Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev Caves.jpg|right|frame|Ss. Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev Caves]]
Our venerable Father '''Theodosius of the Kiev Caves''', along with [[Anthony of the Kiev Caves|St Anthony of Kiev]], is considered to be founder in the eleventh century of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra ([[Monastery of the Kiev Caves]]) and of [[monasticism]] in Russia. He brought [[cenobitic]] monasticism to Kievan Rus'. His [[feast]] day is [[May 3]].
==Life==
As the cave monastery grew, Anthony, in his desire to keep an austere life, moved to a new cave he had dug himself on a nearby hill, which became known as the Near Caves. He named [[Barlaam of the Kiev Caves|Barlaam of Kiev]] as the new [[abbot]]. Theodosius remained with Barlaam at the Far Caves [[monastery]]. After Barlaam left the cave monastery for the Dmitriev monastery, Theodosius was elected father superior by his brother [[monk]]s. In this position he watched over the lives of the monks, and, as a true leader, he set the example by sharing in the ordinary work of the community: carrying water, cutting wood, baking, and so on. He established near the monastery a shelter for the destitute and handicapped that was maintained by the monks using a tenth of the monastery’s income.
With the growth of their community, Theodosius recognized the need for establishing rules for their community life. In establishing these rules he looked to the community life of the [[Studion monastery Monastery]] in Constantinople and used the Studion rules as the basis for governing the community life in the caves monastery. With emphasis on the duty of charity and common good, the rules served to revive the ideal of strict cenobitism and gave Russian monasticism its characteristic warmth.
Theodosius maintained his independence from the many quarrels of the princes and did not fear displeasure if he felt called as a spiritual father to admonish them. Even in the case of Prince Sviatoslav, whom he admonished for usurping the throne of his brother, Iziaslav, Theodosius was able to maintain peaceful relations. Sviatoslav even gave the land for building a new church of stone.
==Legacy==
The introduction of the Studion rule in the Kiev Cave monastery has been considered to be St. Theodosius’ greatest achievement. This rule would later spread to all Rus. He is considered today to be one of the first organizers of monasticism in the [[Church of Russia]]. St. Theodosius is also commemorated on [[August 28]] with the [[synaxis of those whose relics repose in the Far Caves of St Theodosius]].
==External links==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodosius_of_Kiev Wikipedia: Theodosius of Kiev]
[[Category: Saints]][[Category: Russian Saints]][[Category:11th-century saints]] [[ro:Teodosie al Peşterilor Kievului]]
