12th century (reposed c. 1190)
A hieromonk of the Kiev Near Caves who, after a bitter quarrel with another monk, was reconciled on what seemed his deathbed; through forgiveness he was healed and lived out his days in humility, a witness to the power of reconciliation.
Our Venerable Father Titus, Presbyter of the Kiev Near Caves
Venerable Titus was a hieromonk and presbyter of the Near Caves of the Kiev Caves Monastery in the twelfth century. His life is remembered chiefly for a single dramatic episode: a bitter, prolonged quarrel with a fellow monk, the deacon Evagrius, and the reconciliation that came only at what appeared to be Titus's deathbed.
According to the synaxarion, Titus reposed around the year 1190 and is buried among the fathers of the Near Caves. He is commemorated on February 27 and again on September 28 with the Synaxis of the Fathers of the Near Caves.
O Titus, you emulated the Lord's humility,
for as a priest you humbled yourself before the proud Deacon Evagrius without malice;
therefore, you not only received the continuance of your earthly life from the Angel who healed you,
but also the enjoyment of eternal life;
as you rejoice in it, deliver us from harsh anger and vindictiveness.
Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).
In the love of the living brethren,
you beheld the Hater of good who defeated you, turning you toward enmity,
but knowing your previous works, the Lord, the fountain of love,
turned you once more toward brotherly love, in which you lived, O God pleaser.
Pray for us, that we may live in brotherly love.
Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).
By the synaxarion's account, Titus and the deacon Evagrius were at first close companions who loved each other deeply, but their friendship turned into a strong dislike and open hostility. The two avoided each other during the services of the church: Titus would not cense Evagrius, and Evagrius would refuse his absolution while receiving communion in anger.
Titus tried several times to make peace, but Evagrius consistently refused to be reconciled.
When Titus fell gravely ill and began to prepare for death, he asked that Evagrius be brought to him so that he might seek his forgiveness. The deacon refused, and the brethren brought him to the sickbed by force. Titus tearfully begged forgiveness, but Evagrius remained obstinate, declaring that he would not forgive Titus in this world nor in the world to come.
As he spoke these words, Evagrius fell dead. At that same moment Titus was healed and rose from his bed. He related that demons had surrounded him until he forgave Evagrius, and that once he had forgiven, radiant angels surrounded him while the demons turned upon the unforgiving deacon.
After his recovery, Titus increased his ascetic struggles and, according to the account, received from God the gift of working miracles. He was remembered for his great humility.
The episode is preserved in the tradition of the Kiev Caves as a vivid lesson on the spiritual peril of unforgiveness and the power of reconciliation.
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