July: Day 10: Teaching 1: Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves Lavra

July: Day 10: Teaching 1:
Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves Lavra
 
(The Religious and Educational Significance of Monasteries)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Venerable Anthony of the Caves, the founder of Russian monasticism, whose memory is celebrated today, was born in 983, in the city of Lyubech, in the Chernigov province, and was named Antipas. Having loved the Lord from childhood, he went to the Holy Mountain of Athos and took monastic vows with the name Anthony. In a cramped cave, hewn out of the rock above the sea, he began to lead a strict life. But then God commanded the abbot who had tonsured Anthony to let him go to Rus'. The abbot carried out this command and, saying goodbye, said to Anthony: "May the blessing of the Holy Mountain be upon you." 

In Kiev, Anthony visited the monasteries founded by Greek monks, but not seeing strict communal life in them, he settled on the banks of the Dnieper, near Berestovo, the country village of the Grand Prince. Here he retired to a cave dug by the priest Hilarion, later the Metropolitan of Kiev. Zealots of piety began to come to Anthony, some for a blessing, some with the desire to struggle with him. The priest Nikon, who came to him, tonsured those who came. When up to twelve brothers gathered to Anthony, he appointed Barlaam, the son of the prince's boyar, as abbot for them, and he himself moved to another cave, 100 fathoms from the first. It served as the beginning of the Near Caves. When Barlaam moved, by order of the Grand Prince, to another monastery, Anthony appointed the Monk Theodosius as abbot and blessed the brethren to build a small wooden church above the caves. Then, on the mountain ceded by the Grand Prince, the monks built a new church and, having built cells, surrounded them with a wall. Thus was founded the Kiev Caves Lavra, attracting many pilgrims from all over Russia. 

The Lord glorified Anthony with the gift of miracles, and although he, in his humility, kept this gift secret, his glory grew. With the increase in monks, there was a need to build a large stone church. Soon miracles showed them that the Lord was blessing the construction of the church. An extraordinary light was seen at night over the construction site. Four architects came from Constantinople, sent by the Most Holy Virgin Mary Herself. She appeared to them in a miraculous vision in the Blachernae Church and gave them money and the locally venerated icon of the Dormition. God Himself showed Anthony the place for the construction, and the Grand Prince willingly ceded the place. Having blessed the foundation of the stone church, Anthony died at the age of 90, in 1073 A.D. He was buried in the same cave in which he died, but his relics are hidden from human sight.

II. Today, on the day of the commemoration of the Venerable Anthony of the Caves, the founder of the Kiev Caves Lavra and at the same time the pioneer of monasticism in Russia, we will say to you, brethren, a few words about the high religious and educational significance of our monasteries.

a) Our monasteries are usually situated in solitude, far from cities and the ordinary dwellings of the world, distanced from the noise of worldly, hectic life; moreover, they are typically surrounded by high walls. Here, it feels as though there is another world, different places. Upon entering the monastery grounds, one does not notice the frantic activity of those striving for profit, nor the concerns of those preoccupied with acquisitions; there is no loud chatter of heated arguments over earthly interests; one hears no idle laughter, nor empty, hurtful, or abusive words; one observes neither vanity, nor ostentation, nor arrogance, nor pride, nor disputes, nor quarrels; in short, one does not notice anything that would distract or tempt you; on the contrary, everything here reminds you of another, spiritual life, of what you require above all – "the one thing needful." This is reminded both by the majestic appearance of the monastery's temples, sometimes adorned outside with sacred instructive images, and by the solemn, dignified, harmonious ringing of the monastery bells, almost hourly calling the monks to prayer. The calm, humble demeanor of the monks, with their mutual brotherly bows, their faces worn from fasting and vigils, their pious thoughts evident on their foreheads, and their friendliness towards all — everything immediately transports you as if to another world, a world that seems unearthly. Secular individuals, who come here on a pilgrimage, become more modest, focused, and devout. When you step over the threshold of the monastery church, everything astonishes you with its purity, order, arrangement, and splendor. Lamps flicker here before the shining golden icons in abundance. Here one finds a strict adherence to the ceremonial order of church services; here one hears the harmonious chanting of the monastic brotherhood, in a spirit that is fully ecclesiastical and prayerful. Here, involuntarily, the reverent spirit of prayer is awakened in your soul amidst the devout sacramental acts of the monks, who have dedicated their entire lives to the service of the Lord. You are not burdened here by the length of the church service; for it is conducted in a dignified, orderly, reverent, and gracious manner. The soul here is naturally inclined to prayer, inspired by the reverent supplications, and enters into a gracious communion with the Lord. The touched soul is often ready to pour out before the Lord everything that burdens it. In general, our monastic abodes have always been, and will continue to be, outstanding nurseries, renowned schools for religious education in Christian life. "Go, learn from the monks," said Saint John Chrysostom in one of his church sermons; "they are the lamps shining throughout the earth, the walls that protect and sustain the cities themselves. They have withdrawn into the wilderness to teach you to despise worldly vanity. They, like strong men, can savor silence even amid the storm; and you, who are tossed about on all sides, need to find peace and at least rest a little from the incessant tide of waves. Therefore, frequent their company so that, purified by their prayers and teachings from the ever-increasing filth that clings to you, you may lead your present life as well as possible and be deemed worthy of future blessings."

In another homily, the same eloquent teacher said: "In the monastery, pleasure continually increases in the souls of the spectators; for the image of the men they have seen, the pleasantness of the place, the purity of the community, and the sweetness of beautiful spiritual singing forever remains in their thoughts... He who returns home after this visit is greeted by his wife in a gentle, meek manner, not inclined towards any shameful pleasure, and finds in his dealings more ease than before" and so forth (Homily 68 on the Gospel of Matthew).

b) Speaking of the high religious and moral and educational significance of monasteries, we do not intend to diminish the importance of our ordinary parish churches, especially during their prayer gatherings, – and of our ordinary parish churches, no matter how modest or humble they may be. Here, Christian souls have always found and will continue to find for themselves both grace-filled consolation and guidance. Every Christian community, whether it is in a city or in a humble village, with its modest church, its simple parish school, and its shepherd, even if not particularly experienced in spiritual life or especially instructive, sufficiently represents both good examples and pious teachings, as well as generally grace-filled means for our spiritual Christian life. However, giving due credit to everyone, we must still say that in well-equipped monasteries, there are indeed more of these grace-filled means.

III. Thus, if anyone has the desire and opportunity to undertake a pilgrimage to this or that holy abode at least once in their life, may the Lord bless this good deed and assist them in fulfilling their noble intention – to gain as much spiritual benefit as possible in these, as they say, "holy places" of ours. Amen. 

 

Source: A Complete Annual Cycle of Short Teachings, Composed for Each Day of the Year. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.