Cloud of Witnesses
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Hierarch11th century

Saint Isaiah the Wonderworker Bishop of Rostov

died May 15, 1090

Also known as Isaiah of Rostov

A monk of the Kiev Caves who became bishop of Rostov and labored to enlighten the still-pagan land, building churches and strengthening the faithful.

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Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints Isaiah the Wonderworker, Bishop of Rostov

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Missionary Work

Life

Saint Isaiah the Wonderworker, Bishop of Rostov, was an eleventh-century hierarch of the Russian Church who rose from the monastic community of the Kiev Caves to lead the see of Rostov, where he labored to enlighten a still largely pagan land. By tradition he was born near Kiev to pious Orthodox parents and entered the Kiev Caves Monastery in his youth, where he was tonsured by Saint Theodosius of the Caves. He is commemorated on May 15.

Around 1065, while still a monk of the Caves, Isaiah was appointed igumen (abbot) of a monastery established in the court of Prince Iziaslav and dedicated to the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius, an office he held for about ten years. He was afterward consecrated Bishop of Rostov; the sources differ slightly on the year, the OCA life giving 1078 and the chronicle tradition 1077, when he succeeded Saint Leontius of Rostov in that see.

As bishop, Isaiah devoted himself to the conversion of the region's pagan inhabitants, preaching the Orthodox faith, destroying idols, and building and strengthening churches across a vast diocese. With the support of Great Prince Vladimir Monomakh he raised up a cathedral of the Dormition at Rostov. He reposed on May 15, after about thirteen years as bishop, and his relics were later found incorrupt; he is venerated as a wonderworker. He should not be confused with the Venerable Isaiah, Wonderworker of the Kiev Near Caves, who is commemorated on the same day.

Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide
KontakionTone 3

You resounded like thunder, with your divine teaching in the Russian land,
and you were revealed as a most radiant lamp,
shining with the light of divine reason, O blessed Isaiah:
Therefore we cry out to you: “Pray unceasingly to Christ God for us all.”

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

TroparionTone 8

Instructor of Orthodoxy, teacher of godliness and purity,
blessed luminary of Rostov, divinely-inspired adornment of Hierarchs, most wise Isaiah:
you enlightened all of Russia with spiritual grace through your teaching.
O blessed Hierarch, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

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

Timeline5 momentsReadHide
  1. c. 1065Appointed abbot of St. Demetrius MonasteryMade igumen of a monastery dedicated to the Great Martyr Demetrius in Prince Iziaslav's court, serving about ten years.
  2. c. 1077–1078Consecrated Bishop of RostovConsecrated to the see of Rostov, succeeding Saint Leontius; the sources differ between 1077 and 1078.
  3. 1089Consecration of the Dormition church at the Kiev CavesBy tradition borne by an angel to the Lavra to take part in the consecration of the Dormition church.
  4. May 15, 1090ReposeReposed after about thirteen years as bishop; some sources give 1089.
  5. 1164Discovery of relicsHis incorrupt relics found with those of Saint Leontius during excavation at Rostov (some sources 1162).

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributionsReadHide

Episcopal Labors and Enlightenment of Rostov

When Isaiah came to Rostov, the Christian faith had not yet taken firm root in the region, and much of its population remained pagan. The synaxarion relates that he traveled through his diocese preaching the Gospel, overturning idols, and encouraging the spread of Christianity among the people. The Russian sources name an extensive territory under his oversight, including the lands later associated with Yaroslavl, Vladimir, and surrounding regions.

By tradition, an angel miraculously transported Saint Isaiah to the Kiev Caves Lavra so that he might take part, together with the metropolitan and other bishops, in the consecration of the great Dormition church there in 1089. This episode, recounted in his life as a sign of his sanctity, is one source of his title as wonderworker.

Repose and Relics

Saint Isaiah departed this life on May 15, after roughly thirteen years as Bishop of Rostov; the sources record his death as 1089 or 1090. His relics were later discovered incorrupt, found together with those of his predecessor Saint Leontius of Rostov during excavation for a new stone church at Rostov in the twelfth century (the sources give 1162 or 1164). According to later record, the relics were re-interred in a new cathedral at Rostov in 1474.

Companions2 figuresShowHide
His predecessor in the see of Rostov; their relics were discovered together.
Saint LeontiusBishop of Rostov
By tradition tonsured Isaiah at the Kiev Caves Monastery.
Theodosiusof the Kyiv Caves
Related Saints3 saintsShowHide

Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

Distinct — a Kiev Caves monk honored the same day (May 15) with whom this bishop of Rostov is often confused; two different saints.
Venerable IsaiahWonderworker of the Kiev Near Caves
A later wonderworking bishop of Rostov, numbered with him among the hierarchs of that city.
Saint Ignatius the WonderworkerBishop of Rostov
The first bishop of Rostov and Suzdal, honoured with him in the synaxis of that city.
Saint TheodoreFirst Bishop of Rostov and Suzdal

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints