The church remembers St. Stephen, Abbot of the Caves and Bishop of Vladimir-Volyn, one of the closest disciples of St. Theodosius of the Caves. His life became an example of humility, loyalty to the monastic rule and peaceful suffering of unfair offenses.
Saint Stephen asceticized at the Kiev Caves Monastery from a young age. Before becoming a monk, he came from a wealthy family, but after the death of his parents, he gave away all his possessions and chose the path of serving God. In the monastery, he was under the spiritual guidance of St. Theodosius, who saw in him a diligent and reliable disciple. Sometimes the Monk Theodosius instructed Stephen to instruct the brethren with the word of edification, and before his death, at the request of the monks, blessed him to become abbot of the Pechersk Monastery.
By accepting this obedience, St. Stephen received an important covenant from his teacher.: strictly observe the monastic rules, take care of the pilgrims and pray for the benefactors of the monastery. Having become abbot, he proved to be a worthy follower of the work of St. Theodosius. During his lifetime, the construction of the Cathedral of the Caves Church was completed, which began during the lifetime of his spiritual mentor. In addition, St. Stephen founded a new monastery nearby and transferred most of the brethren there, leaving only a few novices in the old monastery to celebrate the daily Divine Liturgy and commemorate the deceased monks.
The saint's labors strengthened the spiritual life of the monastery. But, as often happens in church history, a good deed has met a test. A riot arose among some of the inhabitants, and St. Stephen was not only deprived of his abbotship, but also expelled from the Pechersk monastery. He bore it without grumbling or anger. Imitating his heavenly patron, the First Martyr Stephen, the saint prayed for those who had offended him.: "Lord, grant them not this sin." This especially reveals his spiritual height: he did not fight for power, justify himself or take revenge, but accepted sorrow as a test of humility.
After his exile, St. Stephen did not abandon his monastic ministry. He founded a new monastery on the Klove River, not far from the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. The funds for the construction were given by boyars and nobles, many of whom were his spiritual children. The monastery was consecrated in honor of the Blachernae Icon of the Mother of God. Soon numerous brethren gathered here, who lived according to the strict rules of St. Theodosius. So even the unjust expulsion of the saint was the beginning of a new good deed.
In 1091, St. Stephen was appointed bishop of Vladimir-Volhynia. He served as bishop for three years, setting an example of meekness, mercy, and pastoral care to his flock. Already as a bishop, he received a miraculous vision of the Divine light emanating from the relics of St. Theodosius. This happened before the solemn transfer of the relics of his teacher from the cave to the cathedral church of the Kiev Caves Monastery. Saint Stephen was able to participate in this event along with other bishops, reconnecting spiritually with the monastery from which he had once been expelled.
St. Stephen departed to the Lord on April 27 / May 10, 1094. His life reminds us that true spiritual strength is manifested not only in labor and construction, but also in the ability to bear injustice in peace, pray for those who offend, and continue serving wherever God's Providence leads a person.