Venerable Nicon of the Caves

Life

A companion of Saint Anthony of the Caves and spiritual father of the Venerable Theodosius. On account of his tonsuring of the boyar Varlaam and the eunuch Ephrem he was threatened by Prince Izyaslav, but the princess turned the prince's anger into the fear of God, and holy Nicon was left in peace. Wishing to adorn the church with icons, Nicon prayed to God for help. And because of his prayers, certain Greek icon-painters unexpectedly came to Kiev from Constantinople — to whom the holy Anthony and Theodosius had appeared in a vision and directed them to Kiev to Nicon. He was glorified by his bold ascetic labors and spiritual wisdom. In his old age he became Abbot of the Caves against his will. He departed to the Lord in the year 1066. His incorrupt relics are kept in the caves of Kiev.