The Translation of the Relics of Venerable Theodosius of the Kiev Caves

On Aug. 27, Orthodox Christians on the Old Calendar eagerly anticipate the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. In addition to the feast of the Holy Prophet Micah, there is another, lesser-known celebration held on the eve of the Dormition: the Translation of the Relics of Venerable Theodosius of the Kiev Caves.

According to the Lives of the Saints by St. Demetrius of Rostov, the translation of St. Theodosius’ relics took place in 1091:

“In the eighteenth year since the time that our venerable father Theodosius was translated in spirit from earth to heaven, it pleased the Lord that his body should also be translated from [his] cave to the holy and heavenly church. All of the brethren of the holy, great, and wondrous Caves Lavra, having gathered together with their leader, Abbot John, unanimously decided, after convening, to transfer from the cave to the great stone church the precious relics of the blessed and God-bearing Theodosius – a man venerable and lofty in life, marvelous in the virtues and glorious in miracles.”