Theoctistus of Chernigov

Saint Theoctistus of Chernigov pursued an ascetic life at the Kiev Caves Monastery before assuming the episcopal office as bishop of Chernigov. He was one of the great elders, healing Saint Niketas, the future bishop of Novgorod (31 January), by his prayers. In 1103 he was made abbot of the Kiev Caves Monastery, and in 1108 he built a stone trapeza (dining hall) through the generosity of the pious prince Gleb Vseslavich. He particularly insisted that the name of Saint Theodosius (3 May) be included in the synodikon of the saints of all Russia.

On 11 February 1110 there was a heavenly apparition at the Caves Monastery. A pillar of fire appeared, stretching from the ground to the sky, lightning lit up all the earth, and at the first hour of the night there was a crash of thunder. The fiery pillar stood over the stone trapeza so that its cross was not visible, then proceeded to the church and settled over the grave of Saint Theodosius, and then, turning to the east, disappeared. "This was not a pillar of fire, but rather an angelic face," wrote Saint Nestor the Chronicler. In 1113 Theoctistus was consecrated bishop of Chernigov. The hieromartyr monk Kuksha (27 August), enlightening the Vyatichi at this time, belonged to the Chernigov diocese. On 2 May 1115 Theoctistus took part in the transfer of the relics of the holy princes Boris and Gleb to Vyshgorod, and later in Chernigov, near his cathedral, he consecrated a church in the name of the holy princes Boris and Gleb, built in 1120 by Prince David of Chernigov. He also gave a sermon to the princely passion-⁠bearers on the day of their memory. On 6 August 1123, the feast of the Transfiguration, Theoctistus died, and because of the feast his memory is kept on 5 August (new style; 18 August on the old calendar). On one of the lists of the saints it is said that he was buried at the Caves Monastery. He is also commemorated on 28 September, when he is remembered in the ninth ode of the canon of the Synaxis of the Monastic Fathers of the Near Caves.