Theophilus the Weeper

Venerable Theophilus the Weeper (also called the Tearful, died about 1090) was a monk of the Kyiv Caves Lavra, in the eleventh century, who lived together with his brother, the monk John the God-⁠pleasing. He is commemorated (Old Style) on 29 December (11 January New Style).

Life

Theophilus and his brother, John, were so close that they asked blessed Mark the Gravedigger to dig them a common grave. At a time when Theophilus was away from the monastery (on its business), his brother died and was buried in the prepared grave. Returning, Theophilus came to the grave and showed his displeasure that his brother had been placed in the upper place of the grave, which was due to him. Mark the Gravedigger said to the dead man: "Brother, yield the place to your elder brother and lie in the lower one". To the great astonishment of all, the dead man rose and lay down below. Then Mark told Theophilus that he should not have left the cave and that he should die at once, but, because he was not yet ready for eternity, he should take care for the salvation of his soul. Saddened and frightened, Theophilus gave all his things to the poor and, awaiting his death, began to weep bitterly and unceasingly for his sins. To weeping he joined strict fasting and, over many years, wore his body down so that his bones could be counted; from too many tears he lost his sight.

When Mark of the Caves learned the hour of his end, he called Theophilus and said to him: "Forgive me, brother, that I saddened you so many years, and pray to God for me, for I am leaving this world. If I receive boldness, I will not forget to pray for you, that the Lord may make us both worthy to see His most bright face and to see each other there and to be in the place of our venerable fathers Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves". Theophilus, weeping unceasingly, said to the dying man: "Why, father, do you leave me? Take me with you or grant me to see here. I know that, when you raised my dead brother and I fell before you in the cave, I should have died for my sins, but the Lord, for the sake of your holy prayers, spared me, awaiting my repentance. And now you can give me what I ask of you: either to go with you to God, or to see". Mark answered: "Do not grieve, brother, that for the Lord you have become blind in the eyes of the body, for with the spiritual ones you have seen with true understanding. I wished to be the cause of your blindness; I foretold your death wishing to benefit your soul and to humble your bodily pride, for God does not despise a broken and humble heart (Ps 50:19), but not one who boasts of seniority. Therefore you need not see this short-⁠lived light; ask the Lord that you may see His glory in the eternal light; do not desire death either: it will come even if you do not wish. This will be the sign of your departure: three days before your end you will see, and so you will depart to the Lord and see there the unfading light and ineffable glory."

After Father Mark's death Theophilus increased his weeping and prayers still more; the tears of many years filled to the top a vessel set before him. When his sight returned, the venerable one saw in the hands of an angel the vessel with his tears and heard from the angel: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted". Three days later he died (about 1090). His incorrupt relics rest in Anthony's Near Caves, beside his brother and Mark, and, according to the monks' accounts, flow with healings.