Holy Venerables
Anthony and Theodosius
Fathers of Russian monasticism
Founders of Russian monasticism, who established the Kyiv Caves Lavra in the 11th century.
- Era
- unknown
- Order
- Venerables
Life
Saints Anthony and Theodosius are the two founders of Russian and Ukrainian monasticism. In the eleventh century they laid the foundations of the Kyiv Caves Monastery, from which monastic life spread throughout Rus. The Church commemorates them together on 2 September, and each also has his own day: Anthony on 10 July, Theodosius on 3 May.
Anthony, who came from the Holy Mountain, settled in a cave near Kyiv, around which disciples gathered. Theodosius, later abbot of the community, introduced into the monastery the monastic rule of the Studite type. Their individual lives are told in the entries on Saint Anthony of Kyiv and Saint Theodosius of Kyiv.
Our source adds that Byzantine-rite Catholics of the Slavic churches celebrate them on the same days. Pope John Paul II spoke of their influence in his apostolic letter Euntes in mundum.
Their joint commemoration shows that, in the mind of the Church, the beginnings of the Caves Lavra are the work of both.