Orthodox Icon of Saint Theodosius the Cenobite

Saint Theodosius the Cenobite COPYRIGHTED ART. Do not copy or deep-link to without prior permission from "Come and See" Icons, Books & Art.

January 11th
Troparion (Tone 8)
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! Our Father Theodosius, pray to Christ God to save our souls!

St. Theodosius was born in Cappadocia to pious Christian parents in the fifth or sixth century. He was blessed with a beautiful voice. He used this gift by singing and reading at as many services as possible. As a young man, St. Theodosius prayed for guidance and met with St. Simeon the Stylite while visiting the Holy Land. Seeking solitude, St. Theodosius settled into a cave in Palestine where he remained for thirty years. Many flocked to him for advice and guidance. When the cave overflowed with people, the saint took a cold censer out into the desert praying that God show him where to build a monastery. When he came upon the place, the charcoal ignited by itself and the smoke of the incense rose. There he established the first cenobitic monastery or Lavra. It held over 700 monks and gave service to the poor and shelter to wanderers. At the monastery, the saint built a home for caring for strangers, an infirmary for the monks and another for laymen, and a home for the dying. With a desire to see the different peoples welcome at divine services, he made sure that services were to be done in Greek, Armenian, and Georgian. He stood boldly against the heresy of Eutychius and Severus by proclaiming "Whoever does not honor the four Ecumenical Councils, let him be anathema!" He was thrown in prison for this, but was released upon the death of the emperor. St. Theodosis was known for his compassion for the poor and destitute. During a famine in Palestine, many poor gathered at the monastery needing food and aid. Trusting that God would provide for all those in need, he turned no one away. When it came time to serve food to everyone gathered, the bakery was filled with bread. No one went hungry. This happened every time St. Theodosius wished to care for the poor. Through his prayers he destroyed the locusts devastating the fields in Palestine. By his intercession, soldiers and those perishing in shipwrecks were saved from death and those lost in the desert found their way. When St. Theodosius felt his death approaching, he gathered three bishops to him and let them know that his departure was near. After three days, he departed from this life at the age of 105. His body was buried in the same cave he labored in for thirty years. He is also known as Venerable Theodosius the Great, the Cenobiarch.

This Icon is by the hand of Nicholas Papas of Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Order # mgp-20