Saint Theodore is one of the most glorious Russian Admirals. He fought many naval battles in the Black Sea and Mediterranean, and he won them all. He was known as a devout Orthodox Christian man who served the Lord and his country. Just like St. Alexander Nevsky and St. Dmitry Donskoy, Saint Theodore is honored as a great military leader who defended Russia.

Admiral Theodore Ushakov instituted some naval reforms which were unpopular with his superiors, resulting in his early retirement in the year 1807. Once retired, the admiral settled in the town of Alekseevo near the Sanaksar Monastery, which in previous years had been revived by his relative, hieromonk Theodore (Ushakov), its hegumen from 1764-1774. Admiral Ushakov spent the last part of his life supporting the monastery, feeding the needy, serving God and his neighbor.

Saint Theodore died in 1817 at the age of seventy-two. He was buried at Sanaksar Monastery beside the church. Having been taken away during Soviet times, the monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1991, and Saint Theodore’s grave was found in 1994. Saint Theodore was glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church in 2004, and a reliquary in the shape of a naval vessel was made to enshrine his holy relics.