Church celebrates Synaxis of Venerable Fathers of Kyiv Far Caves

Myrrh-streaming heads in the Far Caves. Photo: Lavra website

On September 10 (August 28 according to the Julian calendar), the Church celebrates the memory of the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers resting in the Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. This special day is dedicated to the glorification of the holy ascetics whose relics rest in the Far (Theodosian) caves of the ancient monastery.

The Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Far Caves includes 49 saints, among whom are the founder of cenobitic monasticism in Rus', Venerable Theodosius of the Caves, Venerable Nestor the Chronicler, Alipius of the Caves, Polycarp of the Caves, and many other ascetics of the 11th-15th centuries.

According to tradition, on this day solemn services are held in churches, including the reading of an Akathist hymn to all the Saints of the Kyiv Caves. In earlier times, special prayer services were also conducted at the reliquary containing the relics of Venerable Theodosius in the Kyiv Caves Lavra.

Today, the Far Caves are occupied by the Lavra Reserve. Access to them is closed for believers.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a microbiological laboratory conducted "tests" with the relics of the Venerable Fathers of the Far Caves.

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