Anthony of Kiev

Life events

1. Born — 983

   Born in Liubech, in the Chernigov Principality (present-day Ukraine), and baptized with the name Antipas.

2. Pilgrimage

   Traveled to Mount Athos, where he entered the Greek Orthodox Esphigmenou Monastery and lived as a hermit in a secluded cave overlooking the sea.

3. Other — 1011

   Around 1011, the abbot of Esphigmenou sent Anthony back to Kiev with the charge of expanding monasticism in his native land, which had only recently converted to Christianity.

4. Pilgrimage — 1015

   After the death of Vladimir the Great in 1015 and the ensuing fratricidal war among his sons, Anthony withdrew a second time to Mount Athos; the abbot eventually sent him back to Kiev, prophesying that many monks would join him.

5. Other

   Settled in a cave previously dug by the presbyter Hilarion near Kiev, attracting disciples including the priest Nikon and Theodosius of Kiev. The community dug a large cave and built a church and cells within it, founding what became the Kiev Pechersk Lavra; Anthony appointed Barlaam of Kiev as first abbot.

6. Exiled

   After refusing to bless Prince Iziaslav I of Kiev and foretelling defeat in a campaign against the Cumans, Anthony was secretly removed to Chernigov by Iziaslav's brother Sviatoslav to forestall a formal exile; he dug a new cave at Chernigov, later associated with the Eletsky Monastery.

7. Died — 1073

   Died in 1073 at approximately ninety years of age, shortly after blessing the foundation of a new stone church at the Caves Monastery. Before his death he gathered the monks, consoled them, and asked that his remains be permanently hidden; no relics have ever been found.

Relationships

Documented claims

• At baptism he received the name Antipas; he took the monastic name Anthony upon entering religious life at Esphigmenou Monastery on Mount Athos. (likely)
• His asceticism included eating rye bread only every other day and drinking only a small amount of water — a regimen that drew disciples and spread his reputation beyond Kiev. (likely)
• Anthony requested before his death that his remains be permanently concealed; the monks complied, and no relics have ever been located, though pilgrims have reported healings at his cave. (likely)
• His feast on 10 July (Julian calendar, 23 July Gregorian) is kept by the Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox churches; Greek Catholics and the Roman Catholic Martyrologium Romanum observe a separate feast on 7 May. (likely)
• After appointing Barlaam as first abbot, Anthony withdrew to a nearby mountain and dug a new cave for solitary life; this cave became the earliest of what are now called the Far Caves of the Lavra. (likely)