Saint of the Day: St. Theodosius “the Cenobiarch”

Abbot (423-529)

His life

+ Theodosius was born in Cappadocia (modern Central Anatolia, Turkey). After being ordained a lector at an uncommonly young age because of his excellent knowledge of Sacred Scripture, he he moved to the Judean desert.

+ Having attracted many disciples, he built a monastery for them near Bethlehem. In time, Theodosius was named superior of all those living in monasteries in the region of Palestine. This accounts for his title of “Cenobiarch”—head of persons living a life in common.

+ When he was ninety years-old, Theodosius was removed from by the Emperor Anastasius because of his fidelity to the decrees of the Council of Chalcedon. After his return from exile, he continued to lead his monks until his death in 529.

For prayer and reflection

“Planted in the courts of your Lord, you blossomed beautifully with virtue, / and increased your children in the desert, showering them with streams of your tears, / O chief shepherd of the divine flock of God. / Therefore, we cry to you: ‘Rejoice, Father Theodosius.’”—Kontakion from the Orthodox Liturgy for the Commemoration of Saint Theodosius

Prayer

Grant us, O Lord, that amid the uncertainties of this world we may cling with all our heart to the things of heaven, for through the Abbot blessed Theodosius you have given us a model of evangelical perfection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For an Abbot)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.