Cloud of Witnesses
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Venerable (Monastic)12th century

Venerable Isaiah Wonderworker of the Kiev Near Caves

11th - early 12th century

Also known as Isaiah of the Kiev Caves

A monk of the Near Caves of Kiev, given to labor, silence, and ascetic struggle.

May 15New Calendar
Feast Day
May 28Old Calendar
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Commemorated as

Our Venerable Father Isaiah, Wonderworker of the Kiev Near Caves

Life

Isaiah was a monk of the Near Caves of the Kiev Caves monastery, the ancient ascetic settlement also known as the Antoniev (Anthony) Caves. Active in the eleventh and early twelfth centuries, he is remembered for a life of silence and unceasing labor, a discipline that earned him the title of a venerable and industrious elder. He is venerated as a wonderworker and is associated with spiritual aid given to others.

He reposed on May 15, 1115, and his relics rest in the Near Caves alongside the many fathers buried there. He is honored on May 15, on September 28 with the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Near Caves, and on the Second Sunday of Great Lent.

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 Isaiah, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!

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

Timeline2 momentsReadHide
  1. 11th - early 12th centuryMonastic life in the Near CavesIsaiah lived as a monk of the Near Caves of Kiev, devoting himself to silence and constant manual labor.
  2. May 15, 1115ReposeHe reposed and was numbered among the venerable fathers of the Near Caves.

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributionsReadHide

Veneration and Commemoration

In the liturgical Service for the Venerable Saints of the Near Caves, Isaiah is named together with Saints Onuphrios, commemorated on July 21, and Sylvester, commemorated on January 2; the three are jointly described as a triple-stranded sling against the demons.

Beyond his principal feast on May 15, he is commemorated on September 28 within the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Near Caves and again on the Second Sunday of Great Lent. He is to be distinguished from Bishop Isaiah of Rostov, who reposed in 1090 and is also commemorated on May 15.

Relics and Shrine

His relics rest in the Near Caves, the monastic complex associated with Saint Anthony of the Kiev Caves. The Near Caves, an ancient site in Kiev, hold the relics of numerous early ascetics; following damage from an earthquake a commemorative church was built over the site around 1670, and a stone church honoring the Exaltation of the Cross was erected over the Caves in 1760.

Member ofReadHide
Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Near Caves
Commemorated together · Sep 28
Companions2 figuresShowHide
Fellow Near Caves father — named together with Isaiah in the Service to the saints of the Caves; commemorated Jan 2.
Venerable Sylvesterof the Kiev Caves
Fellow Near Caves father — named with Isaiah and Sylvester in the Service as a "triple-stranded sling against the demons"; commemorated Jul 21.
Venerable Onuphriusthe Silent and Onesimos the Recluse of the Kiev Caves
Related Saints1 saintShowHide

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

Distinct — the bishop of Rostov honored the same day (May 15) from whom this Near Caves monk is to be distinguished; two different saints.
Saint Isaiah the WonderworkerBishop of Rostov

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