St. Anthony of Kiev (983-1073)

St Anthony of Kiev or Anthony of the Caves was a monk and founder of the monastic tradition in Kievan Rus’. Together with Theodosius of Kiev he founded the Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Monastery of the Caves).

He was born in Lyubech (present day Liubech). H e was baptized with the name Antipas. At an early age he was drawn to the spiritual life and joined the Greek Orthodox Esphigmenou Monastery on Mount Athos to live as a hermit. He lived in a secluded cave overlooking the sea - which is open to this day for visitors to see.

In about 1011 the abbot set Anthony the task of expanding monasticism in his native Kiev. He returned to Kiev to find several monasteries had been established by local princes. They were not as austere as those on Mount Athos so he lived in a small cave which had been dug near the presbyter Hilarion.

In 1015 Vladimir I of Kiev died and war broke out between his two sons. During the conflict Anthony returned to Athos. Once the conflict had finished he returned to Kiev.

He had a very strict asceticism ( austere diet ) - he ate rye bread every other day and drank only a little water.

The abbot prophesied that many monks would join him. His fame spread beyond Kiev… !2 others joined him including Nikon the priest and Theodosius of Kiev

Read Establishment of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

He continued to live a seclusion in a cave. The cave became the first of what would later be known as the Far Caves.

Iziaslav sends him into exile: his brother, Sviatoslav secretly invites him to Chernigov. Iziaslav reconciled with Anthony.A large stone church is built to accommodate the increased number of monk.

A large stone church was under construction to accommodate the increased number of monks during his life time. He died before it was completed.

Anthony died aged 90. He requested that his remains were hidden - they have never been found.