Founders of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

The Kiev Pechersk Lavra was founded by Saint Anthony of Pechersk and further arranged by his student and faithful follower, Theodosius. This monastery became the model for all the monasteries of the Russian land. Today we’d like to tell you about the founders of the first monastery in Russia.

Founder of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra (and of Russian monasticism as well), St. Anthony, was born in Lubech town near Chernigov. His secular name was Antipas. He took his monastic vows at one of the Mount Athos monasteries, where he became famous for his feats: for instance, he ate only a rye bread (once in two days) and drank only water.

Upon returning to the Kiev area he settled in a cave overlooking the Dnieper, and his fame spread throughout Russia. Soon, an entire monastic community was formed in the caves of Dnieper hills. That marked the beginning of the Kiev Pechersk Monastery. After this, Anthony, seeking monastic solitude, gave the monastery management to one of the brothers and went to the cave for the next 40 years, thus becoming a hermit.

The relics of St. Anthony rest in the Near Caves of Kiev Pechersk Lavra, near the cell of the saint and the cave church consecrated in his name.

St. Theodosius was born in Vasilev town near Kiev, in a rich family of the prince's servant. Since childhood, he wore chains and dreamed of monastic life. Theodosius took monastic vows as a very young boy - he was 20 years old. He was renowned for his ascetic life: he wore the threadbare rags without removing them (which, according to Nestor the Chronicler, shone like royal purple on him) and slept only in a sitting position.

 

Theodosius soon became the right-hand man of Anthony for his holy life and high spirituality.

When Theodosius became abbot, he introduced the statute for the proper monastic community. Since then it was adopted in all the monasteries in Russia. He served as an example for the brothers in all he did, whether he was fetching water, baking bread, or chopping wood. He wore a very simple dress. He came to the church service before all others and was the first one to make any work in the monastery.

While the monastery was managed by Theodosius, the number of monks exceeded one hundred. Then the first ground-based cells were arranged. At the same time they began the construction of the main monastery church, Cathedral of the Assumption, which was established by St. Anthony. St. Theodosius founded one of the first libraries in Russia - a library of Kiev Pechersk Lavra. And he made a special house for the residence of beggars, relaxed, blind and lame. This “hospital” took a tenth of monastery's revenues.

In his will he told to bury his body in a cave under the old monastery. The cave then received the name of Theodosius. The body of the saint was reburied before the Mongolian invasion. Now it rests under the western wall of the Assumption Cathedral.

We invite you to walk through the territory of Kiev Pechersk Lavra and learn more about this amazing place