The Church сelebrates Synaxis of All Venerable Fathers of Kyiv Caves Lavra

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: kievtoyou.com

The Synaxis of All Venerable Fathers of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is a feast of the Orthodox Church in honor of the saints of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. This celebration unites the saints from two groups: the Venerable Fathers of the Near Caves and the Venerable Fathers of the Far Caves.

The celebration of the Synaxis takes place on the second Sunday of Great Lent. The saints of Kyiv were glorified as locally venerated saints in 1643 by Metropolitan Petro (Mohyla). At his request, Meletios Syrigos, the protosynkellos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, composed a service dedicated to "the venerable fathers of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and all saints who shone forth in Little Russia."

In the 18th century, the question of their veneration at the pan-Orthodox level was raised. The Holy Governing Synod, in 1762, issued a decree allowing their inclusion in general Church calendars, a decision later confirmed by decrees in 1775 and 1784, permitting their services to be printed in the monthly Menaion.

On this day, we remember and glorify all the saints associated with the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The founder of the monastery and of monasticism in Rus' is considered to be Venerable Anthony. He lived an ascetic life in the caves of Kyiv, and other monks soon joined him. Thus, in the mid-11th century, the Pechersk Monastery was established.

Anthony’s companion, Venerable Theodosius, introduced a monastic rule to the monastery, which he brought from Constantinople. Over time, this rule spread to all monasteries in Rus', laying the foundation for two forms of monastic life: solitary asceticism in caves and cells, and communal monastic life.

Among the Kyiv-Pechersk saints, about 120 ascetics, intercessors, and miracle workers have been glorified. Their names speak for themselves: Laurence the Recluse, Kuksha the Venerable Martyr, Sergius the Obedient, John the Long-Suffering, Pimen the Faster, Onuphrius the Silent, Onisiphore the Confessor, Gregory the Wonderworker, Matthew the Clairvoyant, Damian the Healer, and Agapitus the Unmercenary Physician. Thanks to their spiritual feats, the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is known throughout the world today.

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