The Virtuous Life of Saint Anthony of the Kiev Caves
Saint Anthony of the
Kiev Caves was born in the year 983 at Liubech, not far from Chernigov, and was
named Antipas in Baptism. Possessing the fear of God from his youth, he desired
to be clothed in the monastic schema. When he reached a mature age, he wandered
until he arrived on Mt. Athos, burning with the desire to emulate the deeds of
its holy inhabitants. Here he received monastic tonsure, and the young monk
pleased God in every aspect of his spiritual struggles on the path of virtue.
He particularly excelled in humility and obedience, so that all the monks
rejoiced to see his holy life.
The
igumen saw in Saint Anthony the great future ascetic, and inspired by God, he
sent him back to his native land, saying, “Anthony, it is time for you to guide
others in holiness. Return to your own Russian land, and be an example for
others. May the blessing of the Holy Mountain be with you.
Returning
to the land of Rus, Anthony began to make the rounds of the monasteries about
Kiev, but nowhere did he find that strict life which had drawn him to Mt.
Athos.
Through
the Providence of God, Anthony came to the hills of Kiev by the banks of the
River Dnieper. The forested area near the village of Berestovo reminded him of
his beloved Athos. There he found a cave which had been dug out by the Priest
Hilarion, who later became Metropolitan of Kiev (October 21). Since he liked
the spot, Anthony prayed with tears, “Lord, let the blessing of Mt. Athos be
upon this spot, and strengthen me to remain here.” He began to struggle in prayer,
fasting, vigil and physical labor. Every other day, or every third day, he
would eat only dry bread and a little water. Sometimes he did not eat for a
week. People began to come to the ascetic for his blessing and counsel, and
some decided to remain with the saint.
Among
Anthony’s first disciples was Saint Nikon (March 23), who tonsured Saint
Theodosius of the Caves (May 3) at the monastery in the year 1032.
The
virtuous life of Saint Anthony illumined the Russian land with the beauty of
monasticism. Saint Anthony lovingly received those who yearned for the monastic
life. After instructing them how to follow Christ, he asked Saint Nikon to
tonsure them. When twelve disciples had gathered about Saint Anthony, the
brethren dug a large cave and built a church and cells for the monks within it.
After
he appointed Abbot Barlaam to guide the brethren, Saint Anthony withdrew from
the monastery. He dug a new cave for himself, then hid himself within it. There
too, monks began to settle around him. Afterwards, the saint built a small
wooden church in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God over the Far
Caves.
At
the insistence of Prince Izyaslav, the igumen Barlaam withdrew to the Dimitriev
monastery. With the blessing of Saint Anthony and with the general agreement of
the brethren, the meek and humble Theodosius was chosen as igumen. By this
time, the number of brethren had already reached a hundred men. The Kiev Great
Prince Izyaslav (+ 1078) gave the monks the hill on which the large church and
cells were built, with a palisade all around. Thus, the renowned monastery over
the caves was established. Describing this, the chronicler remarks that while
many monasteries were built by emperors and nobles, they could not compare with
those which are built with holy prayers and tears, and by fasting and vigil.
Although Saint Anthony had no gold, he built a monastery which became the first
spiritual center of Rus.
For
his holiness of life, God glorified Saint Anthony with the gift of clairvoyance
and wonderworking. One example of this occurred during the construction of the
Great Caves church. The Most Holy Theotokos Herself stood before him and Saint
Theodosius in the Blachernae church in Constantinople, where they had been
miraculously transported without leaving their own monastery. Actually, two
angels appeared in Constantinople in their forms (See May 3, the account of the
Kiev Caves Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos). Having received gold from the
Mother of God, the saints commissioned master architects, who came from
Constantinople to the Russian land on the command of the Queen of Heaven to
build the church at the Monastery of the Caves. During this appearance, the
Mother of God foretold the impending death of Saint Anthony, which occurred on
July 10, 1073.
Through
Divine Providence, the relics of Saint Anthony remain hidden.
Source: https://oca.org/saints/lives/2010/09/02/102463-venerable-anthony-of-the-kiev-far-caves
