Icon of SS Anthony and Theodosios of the Kiev Caves – S257

Description

Saint Anthony was born in in Liubech, near Chernigov, Russia in a.d. 983.  He desired the monastic life from his youth, and went early to Mount Athos, where he entered the ranks of monks.   Inspired by God, his abbot later sent him back to begin a serious monastic life in Russia.  He settled near Kiev and found a cave to live in there.  Many came to him and they dug a bigger cave  for a church and monks’ cells.  When the community grew, Saint Anthony sought solitude again and dug another cave to be alone.

Saint Theodosios was born in a.d. 1009 and lived in Vasilkov and Kursk, Russia.  When just 13 his father died and he left the world to go to Kiev.  He met Saint Anthony, who was living in the  monastery at that time.  Saint Theodosios was tonsured a monk when he was just 23 years old.  Barlaam was appointed the superior of the first Far Caves Monastery when Saint Anthony dug his new cave.  When he was called to Dmetriev Monastery, Saint Theodosios was elected as the new abbot.  Together Saint Anthony and Saint Theodosios are considered the founders of monasticism in Russia.  Saint Anthony died at age 90 in a.d. 1073 and Saint Theodosios died a year later.