Silouan of the Caves

Venerable Silouan of the Caves (Silouan the Schemamonk) was a schemamonk of the Kiev Caves Lavra, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. He is commemorated on 10 September, 23 June and 23 July. His relics rest in the Far Caves, beside those of Saint Titus the Soldier.

He was a zealous guardian of purity of soul and body, and for his pious life received from God the gift of clairvoyance and of working wonders. In a surviving text it is said that Venerable Silouan the Schemamonk zealously cared for spiritual and bodily purity; to acquire it, he observed great abstinence in food and drink; besides a life of fasting, he did not sleep and prayed. Putting to death his sinful body, he gained from God single-⁠mindedness, spiritual joy, discernment and wonders. The spiritual gifts acquired became his ascetic labour. First the grace of God filled his heart and whole being, then, like fragrant incense, it poured from him upon others. His words of instruction led many onto the path of piety. And the gift of clairvoyance and of insight into the spiritual world showed that he was a pleaser of God.

When robbers entered the monastery garden, he held them motionless for three days by his prayer, then, urging them to repent, let them go. According to anthropological studies, Venerable Silouan died at 30 to 35 years of age, and his height was about 173 centimetres. In the akathist to all the venerable ones of the Caves it is said of him that he flew to God on the wings of fasting and prayer. His relics are in the Far Caves, beside the relics of Saint Titus the Soldier.