Theophilus of Pechersk

Holy Venerable Theophilus of Pechersk, a recluse, laboured in the Kiev Caves Lavra in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. In the common service of the venerable fathers of the Caves of Saint Anthony he is called excellent in wonders, and his relics rest in the Near Caves of the Lavra.

He is remembered together with two other recluses of the Caves, Arethas and Sisoes. Arethas came from Polotsk. Living in the monastery, he kept much wealth in his cell. Once thieves robbed him, and he, grieving over the loss, murmured against the Lord and was struck by a grave illness. Close to death he saw angels and demons come to him and begin to dispute: the demons said that for his greed and murmuring he must be given to them, while the angels told him that had he thanked God for what was stolen it would have been counted to him as almsgiving. After this vision Arethas was brought back to life and spent his last days in seclusion, in contrition and repentance for his sins, renouncing everything earthly. He died not later than 1190. Sisoes the recluse is called in the common service radiant in fasting.

No other details of Theophilus are preserved. The commemoration of all the venerable fathers of the Caves is on 28 September and on the Second Sunday of Great Lent, and the Azbyka page gives for Theophilus the days 11 October and 6 November.