Saint Theoctistus Bishop of Chernigov

Monastic Life and Abbacy

Before his episcopacy, Theoctistus lived as an ascetic at the Kiev Caves (Kievo-Pechersk) monastery, where he gained renown as a spiritual elder. The synaxarion relates that he healed Saint Niketas (Nikita), the future Bishop of Novgorod, through his prayers.

In 1103 he was made igumen (abbot) of the Caves monastery. During his abbacy, in 1108, he built a stone trapeza, a dining hall or refectory, through the generosity of the pious prince Gleb Vseslavich. By tradition, on February 11, 1110, a fiery pillar was seen at the monastery, rising over the stone dining hall and then settling over the grave of Saint Theodosius before vanishing toward the east.

Episcopate at Chernigov

In 1113 Theoctistus was consecrated Bishop of Chernigov. On May 2, 1115, he took part in the transfer of the relics of the holy Princes Boris and Gleb to Vyshgorod.

Near his cathedral in Chernigov he consecrated a church dedicated to the holy Princes Boris and Gleb, which Prince David of Chernigov had built in the year 1120.

Repose

Saint Theoctistus died on August 6, 1123, the Feast of the Transfiguration, and because of the feast his memory is kept on August 5. According to one of the lists of the saints, he was buried at the Caves monastery.