Житие святого отца нашего Феодосия, архиепископа Черниговского

Saint Theodosius, Archbishop of Chernigov, by origin belonged to the Trans-Dnieper noble family of the Uglitskys 1210. Theodosius's father, named Nikita, was a priest in Little Russia, his mother was called Maria. The parents raised their son in the fear of God and Christian piety; under the influence of their instructions, from a very young age he received the makings of that piety with which his entire subsequent life was adorned. By nature meek, obedient and impressionable, Theodosius from a young age burned with ardent love for God and zeal for the church of God. Having received his initial education at home and learned to read and write there, Theodosius was then sent by his father for further education to the Kiev-Brotherly Epiphany School 1211. Here, under the influence and guidance of pious mentors, practicing in the study of the Holy Scriptures and patristic works, the saint sought to organize his life according to them; here he grew and became strengthened in spirit in the knowledge of the truths of the Orthodox faith and in the exploits of piety. And here, while studying at school, in young Theodosius there arose a desire to imitate, to the best of his ability, the equal-angelic life of the Monks Anthony and Theodosius and other ascetics of the Pechersk - these great prayer books and heavenly patrons of the ancient throne of Kyiv, under whose grace-filled shadow he lived and was brought up, and whose incorruptible, glorified relics he constantly saw before him. In his free hours, Theodosius’s favorite pastimes were prayer, contemplation of God, and reading the word of God. Here Saint Theodosius became well acquainted with church partes singing, at a singing school established by the Right Reverend Lazar Baranovich. In general, the Kiev-Brotherly Epiphany School, founded to maintain and defend the Orthodox faith against the attacks of the Polish Catholic clergy and Jesuits 1212, conducted all teaching in a strictly Orthodox Christian spirit, which also imbued the young souls of its pupils; had among her mentors the true luminaries of Orthodox spiritual enlightenment. There is no doubt that Saint Theodosius received there the highest and best education for that time, which should have contributed to the full development of all the richly gifted abilities of his soul. Soon after completing his education at the Kiev-Brotherly Epiphany School, Theodosius accepted monasticism, something his soul, which ardently thirsted for spiritual exploits, aspired to even at school. And so, in his young years, this true ascetic of Christ counts all the blessings of this world as nothing, leaves the multi-rebellious, vain world and takes monastic vows in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra with the name Theodosius, in honor of the great ascetic of the Kiev-Pechersk and the founder of communal monastic life in Russia - the Monk Theodosius, whom he revered so reverently and to to whose prayerful intercession he so often turned during his studies in Kyiv. From this time on, Theodosius’ strictly ascetic life began, which soon gained him fame not only in the monastic world, but also among the laity. The humility and exemplary life of the young ascetic attracted the attention of the then Kyiv Metropolitan Dionysius 1213 (Valaban), who appointed him archdeacon of the Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral, where he worked hard until Metropolitan Dionysius was removed from Kyiv, after which he was appointed vicar of the metropolitan cathedral. But, disturbed by worldly vanity, life in Kyiv could not satisfy the humble monk’s inner desire for silence and his desire to remain in constant prayerful communion with God. Therefore, Saint Theodosius, drawn by his love for deeds of piety and monastic silence, soon left Kyiv and settled in the remote small Krupitsky Baturinsky monastery, 1214, which had long been famous for the severity of monastic life, where he was ordained to the rank of hieromonk. But no matter how much the educated, pious and active monk hid from the world, he still could not go unnoticed by the highest spiritual authorities. Saint Theodosius labored in the Krupitsky monastery for a short time; He stood out sharply from the rest of the brethren with his spiritual wisdom and strictly ascetic, virtuous life, which is why after a short time he was appointed abbot of the Korsun monastery, Kyiv diocese. The new assignment of Saint Theodosius satisfied his inner desires. The Korsun Monastery 1215, located on an island in the Rosi River, far from worldly dwellings, in a picturesque area, fully corresponded to the saint’s desire for solitude and deeds of piety far from the bustle of the world. And here he himself served as a high example for the monastic brethren through his pious, truly ascetic life and showed a wise ability to manage the monastery. Therefore, he was soon transferred to the abbot of the famous Kyiv Vydubitsky Monastery in 1216. This ancient monastery had recently been in the hands of Uniates and Catholic Poles and was ruined by them. Most of the monks dispersed, because no one wanted to go to live in a ruined monastery; the monastery buildings were in decline, some monastic lands were unjustly seized from the monastery. In general, the monastery needed both internal and external improvements, and it took a lot of effort and skill to restore it to its previous form. But Theodosius did not lose heart and, with the help of God, successfully completed his task and brought the famous ancient monastery to its former splendor and improvement. He petitioned the Hetman of Little Russia to strengthen the land in various tracts and permission from the Tsar to send his monks to Moscow every five years to collect alms and ask for royal favor, which they received in generous amounts. At the same time, he restored the monastery buildings and churches and generally restored the external amenities of the monastery; He was especially concerned about the decorum and splendor of divine services in the monastery: being well acquainted with church singing, Saint Theodosius formed such a wonderful choir in his monastery that it was famous not only in Kyiv and throughout Little Russia, but also became known in Moscow, which is why Theodosius, at the request from Moscow, sent singers there as organizers of singing there. But even more worthy of attention are the works of this true ascetic of Christ to restore monastic order and streamline the internal life of the Vydubitsky monastery. Zealously fulfilling the duties of his monastic rank, he served as a high example of strict ascetic life for the monks, attracting to his monastery many people seeking salvation. At the same time, wishing to further introduce the spirit of true asceticism into the monks of the Vydubitsky monastery, the saint built on the monastery land, in the Mozyr district 1217, a small monastery for those of the brethren who sought complete solitude and severe ascetic deeds. Although after that, according to the words of the Savior: “In the world you will have tribulation; but take heart: I have overcome the world" (John 16:33), Saint Theodosius, this faithful worker of the helicity of Christ, because of slander and human envy, endured many unjust griefs and sorrows 1218 - but his ascetic life and wise leadership of the monks earned him the universal respect of the people of Kiev. In particular, Saint Theodosius was distinguished by his favor and attention by the then locum tenens of the Kyiv metropolis, Archbishop of Chernigov Lazar Baranovich 1219, who had previously been his teacher and rector of the Kiev-Epiphany Brotherhood School. In one of the letters dating back to this time, the Right Reverend Lazarus prophetically expresses his desire that “his name (Theodosius) be written in heaven.” As locum tenens of the Kyiv metropolis, Saint Lazar appointed Theodosius, who was then still Archimandrite of Vydubitsky, as his vicar for the metropolis 1220. Then, when Little Russia elected Bishop Gideon of Lutsk as Metropolitan of Kyiv 1221, Lazar Baranovich sent Theodosius, together with another venerable abbot, with a request to confirm the choice, as a man who had served the Little Russian Church a lot 1222. By this, Saint Lazarus and other spiritual and secular officials of Little Russia clearly wanted to present Theodosius as a person especially worthy and capable of the highest position. At the same time, in Moscow, Saint Theodosius requested a royal letter granting permission for the Vydubitsky Monastery to be sent to Moscow to collect alms. From that time on, at every opportunity that presented itself, they turned to Theodosius of Uglitsky as worthy to take the highest place. Thus, after the death of Metropolitan Gideon of Kyiv, Theodosius was one of the candidates for the see of the Kyiv Metropolis. Even earlier, by the will and desire of the Right Reverend Lazar Baranovich, who returned from Kyiv to Chernigov to the affairs of his diocese, he was summoned to Chernigov and appointed archimandrite of the Chernigov Eletsky Monastery 1223 in place of the deceased abbot of this monastery, the famous Ioannikiy Golyatovsky 1224. The Yeletsky Monastery at that time was very poor and meager. There were few estates and spiritual economic items, and in general the monks suffered a great need for maintenance. The new abbot actively set about organizing the monastery entrusted to him. Immediately upon assuming his duties, he went to the Hetman of Little Russia Mazepa 1225 with the idea that “The Yeletsk monastery is meager in grain supplies and especially firewood, so it is difficult to live with the brethren, and there is nothing to help, since there are few subjects in the possession of the archimandry,” and Mazepa, who was not generally distinguished by generosity towards clergy and monasteries, fulfilled the request of St. Theodosius, from special respect for him, and gave the village of Moschonka into the possession of the monastery. Also, others who had wealth were encouraged by respect for Theodosius to do good to the Yeletsky monastery. Thus, under Saint Theodosius, over the course of two or three years, the Yelets monastery achieved prosperity that completely ensured its existence. While caring for the external improvement of the monastery, Saint Theodosius was no less concerned about its internal well-being, about the establishment and maintenance of truly monastic life in it. In this regard, his most personal exploits served as a highly instructive example for the Yelets brethren in their monastic life. Among these and other monastic works, Theodosius was at the same time an active assistant to Archbishop Lazar in the work of preaching and, at the request of the archpastor, he was also in charge of the economic and partly diocesan affairs of his bishop's house. Over time, the Right Reverend Lazar saw that Archimandrite Theodosius of Uglitsky was prudently and wisely conducting the work entrusted to him, and was fully convinced that he could be his best assistant in managing the Chernigov diocese, and therefore, with the consent of the Hetman of Little Russia, he invited him to go to Moscow to Patriarch Adrian 1226 with a request to appoint him as his assistant. This was in 1691. In Moscow they had long heard about the virtuous life and spiritual wisdom of Theodosius, and therefore the patriarch willingly fulfilled the desire of the elderly saint of Chernigov, respected by all, and notified the hetman of Little Russia about this with his holy letter, in which he spoke with praise about Saint Theodosius. But this help was not sufficient for the elder saint, who was ending his days. Filled with gratitude to Theodosius for his zealous participation in the management of his flock, the Right Reverend Lazar wished, during his lifetime, to see Theodosius in the rank of hierarch, in order to prepare for him a worthy successor. In 1692, he and the hetman turned to Moscow with written petitions to Tsars John and Peter Alekseevich and to Patriarch Adrian for the elevation of Archimandrite Theodosius of Uglitsky to the rank of archbishop 1227, and both of them testified on their own behalf that “the venerable archimandrite is a good man, adorned with the virtues of the monastic life, which he has led from a young age; experienced in managing monasteries, filled with the fear of God and spiritual wisdom, enlightened, very zealous for church splendor, capable of managing the cathedral house and the Chernigov diocese.” The petition of the respected elder saint was respected, and in the same year Theodosius went to Moscow for consecration. Here on September 11 he was named bishop, and on September 18 of the same month he was consecrated archbishop. The newly consecrated archbishop stayed in Moscow for about two months, at the request of the patriarch, who treated Saint Theodosius with respect and took advantage of the opportunity to keep him in Moscow for conversations and joint celebration of Divine services. Great was the joy of the elderly archpastor of Chernigov Lazar Baranovich when he saw his beloved assistant in the priesthood. The flock, who reverently loved and respected Saint Theodosius, was deeply delighted by this. Thus, the Chernigov Church was blessed by the leadership of two famous hierarchs - the pillars of Orthodoxy, who implored God's mercy for the peace of the whole world and for the well-being of their God-saved flock. Meanwhile, Theodosius, even in the priesthood, helping the Right Reverend Lazarus, and often completely replacing him, retained his son’s boundless love and devotion for him, showing complete obedience to his benefactor, undertaking nothing without the consent of the High Hierarch of Chernigov, trying to act in matters of governing the flock according to his instructions and will. But the Lord did not decree for long that the two great, famous pillars of Orthodoxy should stand together to guard the Chernigov flock. On September 3, 1693, the great elder-archpastor died quietly and peacefully. He ruled the Chernigov diocese for thirty-six years. Saint Theodosius solemnly buried him, together with all the clergy from Chernigov and from other places, in the Chernigov Boris and Gleb Cathedral, behind the left choir. Before notifying the tsar and patriarch about the death of the Right Reverend Lazar, Saint Theodosius went to the hetman of Little Russia to inform him of the sad event. Together with him, he sent Hieromonk Pachomius and some other persons to Moscow with a report to the Tsar and Patriarch about the death and burial of the Right Reverend Lazarus, and the hetman wrote that he had lamentation and sadness about the death of Lazarus, and now finds consolation and joy that, after his death, in an urgent time, that Bishop's throne was assumed by the Right Reverend Theodosius of Uglitsky, who with his virtues can decorate the church and arrange the affairs of church government with skillful consideration. In response, the king wrote that he would show Theodosius the same royal mercy that the Right Reverend Lazarus enjoyed; The patriarch wrote to the hetman that he attributed the ordination of Archbishop Theodosius during the life of Archbishop Lazar to the special Providence of God that benefited the Chernigov flock, and asked the hetman, as a son of the Church, to help the Right Reverend Theodosius in his concerns for the Holy Church. At the same time, the patriarch sent an “altar” letter for the final approval of Saint Theodosius at the Chernigov see as an independent archpastor, where, among other things, he speaks of him as a virtuous man, from a young age adorned with monastic life in virtues and skillful in the management of honest monasteries, full of the fear of God and spiritual understanding, a lover of wisdom, a zealous guardian church splendor, who quite rightly deserved the management of the house and diocese of Chernigov. Having remained the sole archpastor of Chernigov, Saint Theodosius cared with paternal zeal for the well-being of his flock, and even more than before, he demonstrated, in the eyes of everyone, the holiness of life, sincere love for asceticism, Christian mercy and love for everyone who turned to him. With his good deeds and Christian virtues, he shone not only for the Chernigov flock, but also far beyond its borders. In Moscow itself, his name had long been pronounced with special respect, since with his spiritual wisdom and moral virtues he stood out from among all the Russian hierarchs of that time. By improving the affairs of the Church of Chernigov, Saint Theodosius in himself showed for his flock an example of deep faith in the Providence of God, zeal for prayer and church services, meek condescension to the infirmities of his neighbors and compassion for their needs, which is why he acquired the unanimous, unfeigned love and respect of his flock. Until the last minutes of his life, he, as a true warrior and ascetic of Christ, labored for the glory of the holy Orthodox faith and for the good of his neighbors. According to the words of the apostle, he, “with a fiery spirit, served the Lord” (Rom. 12:11); and for all those around him there was “a lamp, burning and giving light” (John 6:35). The Chernigov flock realized that its archpastor, Saint Theodosius, was a true servant of God, a faithful builder in the house of God, a vigilant guardian of the Church, a tireless worker, a man of prayer and a trustworthy intercessor for all before the Lord. The saint especially attracted the hearts of all his judges - just and merciful, and was compassionate towards the helpless and orphans, for whom he carefully sought what was required by truth, as well as generous, in the spirit of the Gospel, charity and Christian mercy. In general, he was one of those public figures that exist only in the Kingdom of Christ, who manage to do much more for the common good than the great and powerful of this world. “Be of the same mind among yourselves; do not be arrogant, but follow the humble; do not dream about yourself” (Rom. 12:16). With the most careful zeal, Saint Theodosius took care of strengthening in his flock the love for the ascetic life, which he loved so much from his very young years and the high example of which he showed to everyone in himself. To this end, he diligently tried not only to support the monasteries that previously existed in his diocese, but also to found new monastic monasteries. So, he founded the so-called Pecheniksky monastery for girls in 1228. The best monument to the paternal care of Saint Theodosius for the improvement of monastic monasteries is his blessed charter given to the nuns of the Pecheniki monastery. Blessing the newly created monastery with the love of his father, the saint commands the nuns “the virtue of humility and complete obedience” to his abbess, as a source of peace and a guarantee of his, the saint’s, and God’s blessing. Then, with the blessing of the saint, another monastery was founded, two miles from the city of Lyubech 1229. At the same time, along with concerns about the development of asceticism and the establishment of monastic monasteries in the Chernigov diocese, Saint Theodosius zealously cared about the creation and beautification of the churches of God 1230. Concerned about the moral well-being of his diocese, he paid his main attention to the clergy, trying to choose worthy and capable persons for clergy positions and by all means to strengthen the pastoral and educational activities of the parish clergy. Saint Theodosius also worked a lot during his administration of the Chernigov diocese and for the cause of Orthodoxy in Little Russia, to repel the harmful Polish Uniate-Catholic influence there and to strengthen the Russian people here. He also brought a lot of benefit to the Russian state in that he was always able, thanks to his moral influence, eloquence and Christian peacefulness, to calm the outbursts of hot-headed, headstrong Ukrainians and thereby protect the state from harmful and dangerous unrest. But Saint Theodosius did not shine for long at the see of Chernigov. He lived only about 8 years in Chernigov: up to 5 years as Archimandrite Yeletsky, 3 years 4 months as archbishop, and independently ruled the flock, after the death of the Right Reverend Lazar Baranovich, for about two years. Anticipating his imminent death, the saint summoned to Chernigov the abbot of the Bryansk Svensky Monastery, Hieromonk John Maksimovich 1231, and in the middle of 1695 ordained him as an archimandrite of the Yelets Monastery, which until that time he had not ceased to govern himself, preparing in the new archimandrite a worthy successor to himself in the department. Soon after this, the great lamp of the Russian Church went out. The death of Saint Theodosius followed on February 5, 1696. Bitterly mourned by his orphaned flock, Saint Theodosius was buried in the Chernigov Cathedral Boris and Gleb Monastery behind the right choir. Having completed the course of his earthly ministry, Saint Theodosius did not leave his flock, lying down with his incorrupt body in the cathedral church, and from the very first days after his repose he did not leave with his blessing all who resorted to his help, bringing down the grace of God in abundant miraculous healings to those who sought his prayerful intercession before God. A number of miraculous manifestations of God's grace, revealed through the prayerful intercession of Saint Theodosius, were revealed soon after his blessed death by the grace-filled healing of his successor in the Chernigov see, the Right Reverend Archbishop John Maksimovich, from a serious illness. The Reverend John fell seriously ill with fever; the illness quickly intensified and delirium set in. Suddenly, in the midst of his illness, the Right Reverend calls his cell attendant and gives orders to immediately conduct vespers in his chambers and read the service rule for him, and the next morning to prepare everything for his service in the church. Those around the sick archpastor thought that he was delusional, but were forced to yield to his urgent demand and fulfill his desire. The next day, to the surprise of everyone, the Reverend, completely healthy, served the Divine Liturgy. Then he announced to those around him that the day before Saint Theodosius had appeared to him and said: “Serve tomorrow and you will be healthy.” In gratitude for his instant, miraculous healing from a serious illness, the Right Reverend Archbishop John Maksimovich then composed a “praise” written in verse in honor of the saint of God, according to the then custom, 1232, in which he calls him “an earthly Angel and a saint residing in the Seraphim flock.” By his order, a stone cave was built over the tomb of St. Theodosius in the foundation of the Boris and Gleb Cathedral Church with an entrance to it along a twisted staircase. The amazing miracle of healing of the Right Reverend John Maksimovich served as the beginning of the honoring of Saint Theodosius as a grace-filled miracle worker and saint of God. Over time, this honor spread far beyond the borders of the Chernigov province, due to new abundant manifestations of God's grace from the healing relics of St. Theodosius. These miracles were all the more obvious and striking because they were often accompanied by the appearance of Saint Theodosius to the sick in their sleep, and he ordered them to pray, fast, serve a prayer service, etc., promising healing; sometimes he instructed, admonished and fatherly reproached those who turned to him who had sinned in something. So, the saint appears to one mute in a dream vision and says: “Go to the cathedral and say a prayer service, and you will be healthy.” The next day, to his amazement, the mute began to speak, and then, seeing a portrait of the saint in the cathedral, he recognized in him the saint of God who had appeared to him in a dream. “I bless and forgive,” says the saint to the priest, who confessed his sins to him in a dream and prayed for the healing of his son, and promises to heal the baby, who recovered the next day. To a woman who, in grave suffering, called on the saint for help and prayed to him with tears on Holy Pentecost, he says, meekly reproaching and exhorting: “You didn’t fast, that’s not good. You will not be worthy to taste Easter. Try to take communion on Holy Saturday.” To another woman, who was praying to God with tears and calling on the saint to pray for the recovery of her husband, the miracle worker affectionately says, comforting her and encouraging her: “Don’t cry, I will pray to God, and your husband will be healthy.” And soon after this her husband, who had suffered from a painful illness for about a year, completely recovered. The saint appears to one sick woman who called him, and says only one word to her: “calm down,” and her moral suffering finally ceases. It is difficult to list all the wondrous healings accomplished through the prayerful intercession of Saint Theodosius: suffice it to say that from all over the Russian land they began to attract numerous crowds of pilgrims to his tomb. For the first time, the body of Saint Theodosius was found incorrupt 76 years after his blessed repose on February 14, 1772, when, with the blessing of the local bishop Theophilus, it was transferred to a new wooden coffin, and the first cypress coffin of the saint of God was distributed in parts to the pilgrims. Since the beginning of the last century, the reverent honoring of Saint Theodosius of Uglitsky as a gracious miracle worker has especially intensified. The rumor about him and about the miracles flowing from his relics at this time was spreading far beyond the borders of the Chernigov province, among Orthodox Christians of various ranks and status. In 1824, at the tomb of St. Theodosius, the Chernigov merchant-schismatic Gorbunov was healed from a serious illness, after which he converted to Orthodoxy and, in memory of his miraculous healing, built at his own expense a new coffin for the incorruptible relics of the saint. Over time, more or less correct and permanent records began to be kept at the cathedral at the cathedral about the healings that occurred from the relics of St. Theodosius, which were sufficiently verified and certified. Since 1850, at the Chernigov Cathedral, a constantly detailed chronicle has been kept about miracles through prayers to St. Theodosius, as well as in some other places. Meanwhile, the constant abundant flow of pilgrims to the tomb with the relics of St. Theodosius, given the cramped and inconvenient entrance to it, forced in 1856 to attach a semicircular chapel with a convenient staircase on the south side to the front of the porch of the Boris and Gleb Cathedral, and to expand the cave itself and make it bright. By the end of the last century, the name of Saint Theodosius, as a great saint of God, a protector from troubles and misfortunes, a deliverer from every evil situation and a warm man of prayer before God, was known throughout Russia, and although only requiem services were performed at the saint’s tomb, the people paid veneration to him as if he were an already glorified saint. The people's veneration of St. Theodosius as a saint, numerous cases of miraculous healing from his incorruptible relics attracted the attention of the civil authorities, which was expressed in the most submissive report of the Chernigov governor for 1889, and this report, in turn, attracted the attention of the late Sovereign Emperor Alexander Alexandrovich. In view of this, the Holy Synod found it timely to begin to certify the incorruption of the body of the deceased saint and the miraculous phenomena that took place at his tomb 1233. The body of the saint, despite its almost 200-year stay in the cave, which was not particularly dry, turned out to be incorrupt; at the same time, many cases of miraculous healings through the prayerful invocation of Saint Theodosius were duly examined, testified under oath by the healed themselves, their relatives and eyewitnesses 1234. In view of this, the Holy Synod determined - “in the blessed memory of the late Theodosius, Archbishop of Chernigov, to be canonized, by the grace of God his glorified and incorruptible body to be recognized as holy relics” and to make their solemn opening, to which the consent of the Sovereign Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich was not slow to follow. The ceremonial opening of the relics of St. Theodosius followed on September 9, 1896. It was performed by His Eminence Metropolitan Ioannikiy of Kyiv, in the concelebration of six bishops and a host of archimandrites and abbots and other clergy. The relics of the saint of God were transferred from the Boris and Gleb Cathedral to the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral and placed in a new cypress coffin and a new precious silver shrine; here, under a canopy with many lamps, they were placed on the right side of the cathedral, where they now rest. All the days of the celebration of the glorification of the newly-minted saint of God, a huge crowd of one and a half hundred thousand people filled the city, turning with fervent prayers to Saint Theodosius, asking for his prayers before God and hastening to venerate his holy, incorruptible relics. The celebration of glorification was marked by numerous miraculous healings and made a deep impression not only on the Orthodox, but also on schismatics. Glory to God, marvelous in His saints! Preferred to be a bishop, Saint Theodosius, you were the luminary of your flock, you also reposed in the eternal abode: beg from the Throne of the King of Glory to deliver us from the evils that befall us and to save our souls, holy one, through your prayers. You worked as a shepherd for the chief of Christ, Saint Theodosius, feeding your verbal sheep in the spiritual pasture, and you received from Christ the Savior the healing gift of healing from the weakness of body and soul of everyone who comes with faith to your healing power. Pray, holy one, for those who call on your name from the slander of the enemy to save our souls. According to legend, this surname was assigned to one of the ancestors of St. Theodosius for his distinction in repelling the enemy from the city of Uglich. This is the famous oldest school in Russia, the foundation of which dates back to the end of the 16th century; now it is the Kiev Theological Academy, located in the Bratsky Monastery, on Podol, in Kyiv. The Kiev-Brotherly Epiphany School, serving as the main hotbed of enlightenment for the entire southern Orthodox Russia, at the same time released from its walls many famous fighters for the Orthodox faith within the southern Russian Church, which was subjected to incessant attacks by enemies - Catholics and like-minded Uniates, who, despising the Orthodox faith, recognized the supremacy of the pope over themselves, and even more insidious Jesuits, Catholic monks an order that set itself the goal of establishing Catholicism and the primacy of popes everywhere by any means. Metropolitan Dionysius ruled the Kiev metropolis for no more than six months. He was appointed to the metropolitanate in February 1658 and retired from Kiev in July 1658, although nominally he continued to be listed as the metropolitan of Kiev. Near the town of Baturina, now in the Chernigov province, 30 versts from the city of Konotop; founded in the 16th century. In Konevsky district, Kyiv province. – St. Theodosius was appointed abbot of the Korsun monastery around 1661. This was in 1664. The Kiev-Vydubitsky Monastery was one of the oldest and most important monasteries of the Kyiv diocese; founded at the end of the 11th century; at the beginning of the 17th century, during Polish rule, a union was established in it, but then it was again returned under the authority of the Kyiv Metropolitan; now it is a second-class monastery. Minsk province. There was the island “Mikhailovshchina”, which belonged to the Kiev-Vydubitsky Monastery, where in 1680 St. Theodosius a small hermitage, the vicar of which was appointed one of the strict ascetics of the Vydubitsky monastery, hieromonk Job Opalinsky. St. suffered especially a lot. Theodosius, through the machinations of Methodius, bishop of Mstislav and Orsha, who laid claim to the Kiev metropolitan throne, and, because of his goals, slandered the saint along with the abbots of other Kyiv monasteries in political intrigues and treason against the Moscow government; but the truth immediately triumphed, and Theodosius’ innocence was then clearly proven. Lazar Baranovich - rector of the Kiev-Epiphany Brotherhood School, since 1657 Archbishop of Chernigov, a prominent political and literary figure in southern Russia, preacher and polemicist against Catholics and Uniates; was highly respected by his contemporaries; St. Demetrius of Rostov calls him “the great pillar of the Church.” At that time, the Kiev Metropolis remained idle for quite a long time, due to political unrest, as a result of which its temporary management was entrusted to the most respected archpastor of southern Russia, which was Lazar Baranovich. Gideon (Svyatopolk - Chetvertinsky) - Bishop of Lutsk, Metropolitan of Kiev from 1686, died in 1690, known for his letters and messages to various clergy. Saint Theodosius, as one of the most honorable clergy, was the representative of the embassy, ​​which the council that elected the metropolitan sent in 1685 to the newly elected one with notification of the election and with an invitation to accept the throne of the Kyiv metropolitanate. In the same year, the “honorable” and “honorable in the Little Russian church” abbot Theodosius, together with the Pereyaslavl abbot Jerome Dubina, was sent to Tsars John and Peter Alekseevich and Patriarch Joachim with a request to confirm the metropolitan elected by Little Russia. It should be noted that at that time, selected people were sent to Moscow from Little Russia not only so that they would deliver this or that petition there and appear on occasion as intercessors for these petitions, but also for the purpose of presenting them before the Tsar and the Patriarch as persons capable and destined for higher positions. This is how they looked at it in Moscow, and there both representatives of the embassy, ​​abbots Vydubitsky and Pereyaslavsky, were received as “people honored by the Little Russian Church.” The result of this embassy was the great work of joining the South Russian Church to the Moscow Patriarchate. Eletsky Assumption Monastery of the first class in Chernigov was founded in 1060 by the Grand Duke of Chernigov Svyatoslav Yaroslavich. Ioannikiy Golyatovsky is a famous southern Russian preacher and polemicist of the 17th century, first the rector of the Kiev-Mohyla College and then the archimandrite of the Chernigov Yelets Monastery. Ivan Mazepa - Hetman of Little Russia from 1687 to 1709, when he betrayed Peter the Great and Russia, going over to the side of the Swedish king Charles XII; he died that same year. Adrian, the last (10th) All-Russian Patriarch, ruled the Church from 1690–1700. As for the fact that Theodosius was immediately elevated to the rank of archbishop, this is explained by the fact that the Great Moscow Council of 1667 established an archbishopric in Chernigov, and the Chernigov see was then placed first among the other archbishoprics of the Russian Church. The monastery was built by the widow of the Starodubets colonel Maria Sulimova on the land she bought together with her late husband, called “Pecheniki”; where the monastery got its name from; does not exist now. Lyubech is now a trading settlement in the Gorodnya district of the Chernigov province, 52 versts from Chernigov. Thus, he consecrated a majestic church in honor of the Holy Trinity near the Ilyinsky Monastery, and a church in the name of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Domnitsky Monastery (35 versts from Chernigov). John Maksimovich - later Metropolitan of Tobolsk and all Siberia, where he worked hard to spread Christianity among foreigners; died in 1716. His memory is locally revered as a saint of God. This “praise” was written under the picturesque image of Saint Theodosius in the Boris and Gleb Cathedral of Chernigov, above the entrance to the stone tent where the relics of the saint rested. The examination was carried out by His Eminence Ioannikiy, Metropolitan of Kiev, together with the local Bishop Anthony, the rector of the Chernigov Seminary, an archpriest - a member of the Kiev Theological Consistory and two archpriests from the local cathedral clergy. 49 such cases were examined. You might be interested in: