Cloud of Witnesses
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Venerable (Monastic)11th century

Venerable Stephen Abbot of the Kiev Far Caves and Bishop of Vladimir-in-Volhynia

d. 1094

Also known as Stephen of the Caves · Stephen of Vladimir in Volhynia

A disciple and successor of St Theodosius as abbot of the Kiev Caves, who founded the Blachernae monastery and later served as bishop of Vladimir in Volhynia; he reposed in 1094.

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Commemorated as

Our Venerable Father Stephen, Abbot of the Kiev Far Caves and Bishop of Vladimir-in-Volhynia

Life

Stephen was an eleventh-century monastic of the Kiev Caves monastery who trained under Saint Theodosius and, at the request of the brethren, succeeded him as superior (igumen). After being driven from the community he founded a new monastery near Kiev, and he later served as bishop of Vladimir in Volhynia until his repose in 1094. He is venerated as both a venerable monastic and a hierarch, with his memory kept on April 27.

His life joins two strands of early Rus' sanctity: the ascetic and building work of the Kiev Caves under and after Theodosius, and the missionary expansion of the Church into Volhynia. The sources remember him as much for the meekness with which he endured his expulsion as for his administrative and episcopal labors.

Troparion1 hymnReadHide
TroparionTone 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!
O our holy father Stephen, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline6 momentsReadHide
  1. 11th centuryAscetic at the Kiev CavesStephen entered the Kiev Caves monastery and pursued the ascetic life under the guidance of Saint Theodosius, growing up under his instruction.
  2. Before 1078Chosen as igumenAs Theodosius neared death the brethren asked that Stephen, who had served faithfully under the founder, succeed him as superior of the community.
  3. 1078Removed and expelledThrough the malice of an envious monk Stephen was removed from office and driven from the monastery, an injustice he endured without bitterness while praying for his adversaries.
  4. After 1078Founds the Klov monasteryHaving learned from visiting Greek master builders of the appearance of the Theotokos at Blachernae, Stephen founded a monastery at Klov dedicated to the Theotokos in thanksgiving for her protection.
  5. 1091Consecrated bishop and transfer of relicsStephen was consecrated Bishop of Vladimir in Volhynia and took part in the transfer of the relics of Saint Theodosius from the cave into the monastery church.
  6. April 27, 1094ReposeHe reposed in old age, the synaxarion noting that he died during the sixth hour of the night.

Contributions & Legacy

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Abbacy at the Kiev Caves

Stephen was numbered among the early disciples of the Kiev Caves and was chosen by the brethren to lead them after Saint Theodosius. As superior he continued the building of the spacious church of the Dormition of the Theotokos that had been begun under his predecessor, moved the monks' cells to the vicinity of the new church, and arranged dedicated cells for the burial of the brethren, where the Divine Liturgy was served daily and the departed were commemorated.

His tenure was cut short in 1078 when an envious monk engineered his removal and his expulsion from the community. The accounts emphasize that he bore this reversal meekly and without resentment, continuing in prayer for those who had wronged him.

The Klov Monastery and the Blachernae Theotokos

After leaving the Caves, Stephen learned from Greek master builders who had arrived with an icon of the Theotokos about the appearance of the Heavenly Queen at Blachernae in Constantinople. In memory of this, he founded a monastery at Klov near Kiev dedicated to the Mother of God, established in thanksgiving for her care and protection.

Episcopacy in Volhynia

In 1091 Stephen was consecrated Bishop of Vladimir in Volhynia. In that year he also took part in the solemn transfer of the relics of Saint Theodosius from the cave where they had been laid into the monastery church. As bishop he is remembered for his labors to bring the inhabitants of Volhynia to the Christian faith, before reposing in old age on April 27, 1094.

Member ofReadHide
Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Far Caves
Commemorated together · Aug 28
Companions2 figuresShowHide
His teacher and the founder he succeeded as abbot, whose relics he helped translate into the monastery church
Theodosiusof the Kyiv Caves
Who was elected igumen of the Caves after his departure.
Venerable Nikonof the Kiev Far Caves
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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints