Euthymius of Docheiariou

Holy Venerable Euthymius of Docheiariou was the founder of the Docheiariou Monastery on the Holy Mountain, in the tenth century, together with his nephew, Saint Neophytus. They are commemorated together on 9 November.

A native of Constantinople, Euthymius belonged to the highest Byzantine aristocracy and, while still in the world, was a friend of Saint Athanasius of Athos (commemorated on 5 July). He became a novice and disciple of the great ascetic, and for his sincere love of the brethren, gentleness and particular zeal in the ascetic life, Athanasius entrusted him with the duty of steward (in Greek "docheiarios"), which he fulfilled as though it had been given to him by God. He settled with several monks at the place called Daphne, where he founded a monastery dedicated to Saint Nicholas, called Docheiariou in memory of his obedience. He taught the younger brethren the need for attention to oneself and to all the stirrings of the soul. The peaceful ascetic life of the monks was disturbed by Saracens (pirates, according to the Greek synaxarion): Euthymius led the brethren into the forest, and on returning they found the monastery razed to its foundations; he did not lose heart and the monastery was rebuilt. He died in peace, at the age of one hundred, according to the Greek source.

His nephew Neophytus was the son of a duke in the time of the emperors Nikephoros Phokas and John Tzimiskes (963-976) and had been the emperor's chief secretary. He came to his uncle, abbot at Docheiariou, was tonsured a monk by him and dedicated all his money to the monastery; he built a larger church and a fortress for the monks' safety from pirates. Under his spiritual guidance the small monastery grew into a lavra, and he became protos of the Holy Mountain. In old age he returned to Docheiariou, where he fell asleep in peace.