THEODOSIUS of PEČERSK, St. – Founder of cenobitic life in Russia and first igumen of the famous Laura of Pečersk near Kiev.
Born at Vassilko, near Kiev, c. 1035, into a noble and turbulent family which later moved to Kurck, he lost his father early and was brought up by his domineering mother. Even as a child he was drawn to prayer and study, “winning the admiration of all for his wisdom and intelligence.” His love of Jesus led him to embrace humility and prayer. He insisted on preparing the Eucharistic bread himself and would accompany the servants in tilling the fields. His mother, indignant at what she deemed a degradation of their rank, punished him severely, even chaining him. Theodore endured all in silence and prayer, then fled from home. At Kiev he was received as a monk by the anchorite St. Anthony. His mother likewise abandoned the world and joined him. On account of his outstanding qualities, Theodore, barely twenty-six, was appointed abbot and resolved to transform the underground monastic life, which he found too gloomy, into cenobitic life by erecting cells in the open. He then procured from the Studion monastery near Constantinople the Rules of that community, which place charity above solitary striving for individual salvation, yet order common life to the service of the Church and neighbor. This norm was later introduced into all Russian monasteries.
Among Theodore’s virtues were strict observance of the rule, humility, fortitude against injustice, and trust in Providence. Old Russian literature preserves samples of his exhortations, whose influence on Russian spirituality has been immense. Free from every extremism, he taught a rounded spiritual doctrine marked by an all-consuming love of Jesus. He died on 3 May 1074 and was the first to be venerated as a saint in Russia, having been canonized by a Synod of Russian bishops in 1108. Feast: 3 May.