Memorial Day of St. Theodosius of Chernigov

Every year on February 18, Orthodox Christians remember St Theodosius of Chernigov, the wonderworker The future bishop was born in the Vinnitsa region of Little Russia (modern Ukraine) in the 30s of the 17th century, into a deeply religious noble family Parents Maria and Nikita instilled in their son the love of God and demanded strict adherence to Orthodox traditions The father was a priest The name of the saint given to him at birth is unknown Theodosius chose his path of serving God and monastic feat after studying at the Kiev Brotherhood College at the Epiphany Monastery (currently the Kiev Theological Academy) This educational institution was considered in those years to be the defender of Orthodoxy from the oppression of the Catholic movements of the Uniates and Jesuits (Society of Jesus), who recognize the authority of the Pope During his studies, the young saint of God decided on his calling: he prayed a lot, observed fasts, read patristic literature and the Holy Scriptures Theodosius warmly remembered the Epiphany Monastery, the Kiev-Brotherly College, his years of study, his great teacher Archbishop of Chernigov Lazar Baranovich all his life, made donations to the monastery, and was deeply grateful to the brethren In the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, the future Archbishop of Chernigov underwent the rite of initiation into monasticism Here he was named after one of the founders of the monastery, Theodosius of Pechersk, a student of St Anthony of Pechersk In 1662, the saint became abbot of the Korsun monastery (Kiev diocese), and two years later (1664) - abbot of the Kiev-Vydubitsky monastery Thanks to the energy and perseverance of Theodosius, this ancient monastery was revived after its destruction by the Uniates; a church choir was also created, which amazed parishioners with its unique voices and became famous far beyond the monastery The young abbot was a strict ascetic, caring for the spiritual life of the brethren and parishioners He founded a monastery on an island not far from the monastery for the solitary prayers of the monastery’s inhabitants In the late 70s of the 17th century, Theodosius was slandered by Bishop Methodius of Mstislav and Orsha for treason against the state and government The saint had to endure many sorrows during this period False accusations could not be proven, Theodosius was acquitted Lazar Baranovich, Bishop of Chernigov, saw God’s chosen one in Feodosia and began to patronize him in everything Humility, strict obedience, unceasing prayerful work, and spiritual wisdom conquered the bishop Lazar installed Theodosius as governor of Kyiv Having received a high post, in the 90s of the 17th century the saint took an active part in the processes of unification of the Kyiv Metropolis with the Russian Orthodox Church In 1688, Lazar Baranovich was appointed abbot of the Yeletsky Assumption Monastery in Chernigov, which he revived within three years after the ruin of the Jesuits In 1692, Theodosius accepted the rank of archbishop with the blessing of his teacher Lazarus Being the Archbishop of Chernigov, the saint founded the Pechenitsky nunnery of the Assumption, the Lyubetsky monastery, and the church in the Domnitsky Nativity of the Virgin Mary monastery The affairs of the diocese during the reign of Theodosius improved significantly The saint was strict in choosing the clergy and demanded strict observance of church regulations On February 18 (February 5, old style), Orthodox Christians remember the day of the death of Theodosius Canonization occurred two centuries later - in 1896 on September 22 (9), although numerous healings through prayers to Theodosius of Chernigov began to occur immediately after the repose of the saint of God Help from the saint was received by residents of besieged Leningrad in 1942: after the relics were transferred from the Museum of Atheism to the St Nicholas Cathedral, Ladoga froze, the besieged city acquired the opportunity to receive vitally needed food and clothing along the Road of Life