January 11th - St. Theodocius the Cenobiarch
Hildi
Born in Garissus, Cappadocia, c. 423; died near Bethlehem 529.
Theodosius was born and raised in a devout Christian family. While still
young, he decided to consecrate himself to God and to become a student of
the Scripture. Eventually, he was ordained a reader. In the course of his
studies, he was moved by the example of Abraham who "obeyed when he was
called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he
went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the
promised land as in a foreign country . . . for he was looking forward to
the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God" (Hebrews
11:8-10). And so it happened that when Theodosius was about 30, he left home
to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to the places of the Savior's Passion.
When he reached Antioch, he visited Simeon Stylites, a living statue of
prayer and renunciation, to receive his blessing. Theodosius did not visit
Simeon like the curious who came in great numbers to disturb his prayer, or
the mockers who came to make fun of the saint; and Simeon, foretelling the
future glory of his youthful visitor, called to him, saying: "Theodosius,
man of God, you are welcome here." Theodosius climbed upon the pillar of
Simeon to receive his advice and blessing.
Tradition says that Theodosius tried eremitical life and decided that it was
not his calling. With some companions he went to a mountain, where they
lived in extreme privation, constant prayer, and charitable works. Their
fame reached the ears of many young people who came to their monastery
asking permission to remain with them. It grew rapidly, its monks being of
several peoples and languages.
Eventually, Theodosius had to undertake the construction of an immense
monastery at Catismus, near Bethlehem, that could provide quarters for the
throng of pilgrims, religious, and sick. Thereby, he became the founder of
monasticism in Palestine, and built a monastery on the shores of the Dead
Sea 'like a city of saints in the midst of the desert.' There were four
churches-one for each of three different languages and a fourth for
penitents-and three hospitals. One hospital cared for the aged, another for
the physically ill, and the third for the mentally ill. Greeks, Armenians,
and Persians worked and prayed happily together. And no one was ever turned
away without a meal and good hospitality-no matter how little the monks
themselves had to eat.
Sallus, patriarch of Jerusalem appointed Theodosius's friend and
fellow-countryman, Saint Sabas, head of all hermit-monks in Palestine and
set Saint Theodosius over those living in communities: This explains his
surname 'Cenobiarch,' i.e., chief of those leading a life in common.
Theodosius was a staunch opponent of Monophysitism, which led to his being
removed from office for a short time by the Emperor Anastasius.
Emperor Anastasius patronized the Eutychian heresy, and tried to win
Theodosius over to his own views. In 513, he deposed Elias, patriarch of
Jerusalem, just as he had previously banished Flavian II of Antioch, and
intruded Severus into that see. Theodosius and Sabas maintained the rights
of Elias, and of his successor John; whereupon the imperial officers thought
it advisable to connive at their proceedings, considering the great
authority they had merited by their sanctity. Soon after, the emperor sent
Theodosius a considerable amount of money, for charitable uses in
appearance, but in reality as a bribe. The saint accepted it, and
distributed it all among the poor.
Of course, the emperor thought that he had finally persuaded Theodosius.
Anastasius sent the saint a heretical profession of faith, in which the
divine and human natures of Christ were confounded into one, and wanted
Theodosius to sign it. Our saint responded to Anastasius with apostolic
zeal, and for some time the emperor was more peaceable. But soon he renewed
his persecuting edicts against the orthodox, dispatching troops to execute
them. When Theodosius heard about this, he traveled throughout Palestine
urging everyone to stand fast in the faith of the four general councils.
Thereupon the emperor banished Theodosius. He was recalled by Anastasius's
successor within a short time.
One of the biographers of Theodosius writes: "He did not punish the brethren
with severity, but with a sweet, agreeable, and loving flow of words which
penetrated to the depth of the heart. He was at once severe and kind; he
consoled and astonished the religious with his kindness; he governed them
with such calmness and tranquility that he seemed to be alone in a desert.
He was always the same, whether alone or in company, because he learned to
keep himself always in the presence of God."
In his old age, Theodosius was stricken with a long illness that made his
skin and body dry like a stone. He suffered a great deal from this, but bore
his pains with perfect patience, praying continually, so much so that even
at night his lips continued to move while he slept, as if they were saying
some prayer. Theodosius died about the age of 105. Patriarch Peter of
Jerusalem and the whole country were present at his funeral, which was
honored by miracles. He was buried in his first cell, called the cave of the
Magi, because the wise men who searched for Christ soon after his birth were
said to have lodged in it. Theodosius's reputation for holiness multiplied
in the many miracles that followed his death for the benefit of those who
begged his intercession (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Encyclopedia,
Gill, Walsh).
In art, Saint Theodosius is an abbot hermit with iron bands on his neck and
arms, chains and a money bag near him (Roeder). He is the patron of file
makers (Roeder).
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Martyrology
At Rome, St. Hyginus, pope and martyr, who gloriously fulfilled his
martyrdom in the persecution of Antoninus.
Also at Rome, the birthday of St. Melchiades, pope and martyr. He suffered
much in the persecution of Maximian and, when peace returned to the Church,
died peacefully in the Lord. His feast day is kept on December 10.
At Fermo in Piceno, St. Alexander, bishop and martyr.
At Amiens in Gaul, St. Salvius, bishop and martyr.
In Africa, Blessed Salvius, martyr, on whose birthday St. Augustine
delivered a panegyric to the people of Carthage.
At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Peter, Severus, and Leucius.
At Brindisi, St. Leucius, bishop and confessor.
In the Thebaid, St. Palaemon, abbot, who was the instructor of St.
Pachomius.
At Suppentonia, near Mount Soracte, the monk St. Anastasius, and his
companions. They were called (to heaven) in a miraculous way and so went
happily to the Lord.
At Pavia, St. Honorata, virgin.
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A set of four ejaculations to the Holy Trinity:
O Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee who art dwelling by Thy
grace within my soul.
O Most Holy Trinity, who art dwelling by Thy grace within
my soul, make me love Thee more and more.
O Most Holy Trinity, who art dwelling by Thy grace within
my soul, sanctify me more and more.
Abide with me, O Lord, be Thou my true joy.