Theodosius the Cenobiarch

Theodosius was born in Mogarissos, a village in Cappadocia, in 423. He was raised by his pious parents, Proheresius and Eulogia, who later became a nun under his guidance. He felt a desire to imitate Abraham by leaving his country and friends for the love of God. He set out for Jerusalem in 451, when the Council of Chalcedon was held. He visited Saint Symeon the Stylite, who greeted him by name and prophesied his future glory. He also visited the holy places in Jerusalem and venerated the relics of the saints. He then decided to join a monastery under the direction of a holy man named Longinus, near the Tower of David. He was ordained a reader, but soon felt the need for more solitude and prayer. He retired into a cave on a mountain, where he lived a strict ascetic life. He ate only dates, carob, wild vegetables and legumes soaked in water. He never tasted bread for thirty years. He prayed constantly and used a rope to support himself in case he fell asleep. He also performed many miracles, such as healing the sick, multiplying bread, and calming storms. He attracted many disciples who wanted to follow his example. He accepted them with charity and humility, and taught them the cenobitic way of monastic life, which he had learned from Saint Basil. He built a large monastery in the Judaean desert, where he became the abbot and the father of many monks. He also built a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a hospital for the sick and poor, and a hospice for the pilgrims. He was a friend and supporter of Saint Sabbas, who was the leader of the hermits in Palestine. He defended the Orthodox faith against the Monophysite and Origenist heresies, and suffered persecution from the emperor Anastasius. He died peacefully in his monastery on January 11, 529, at the age of 106. He was buried in his own grave, which he had dug himself. He is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. His feast day is on January 11.