E06769: In 555/557, Cyril of Scythopolis composes the Life of *Theodosios (the Coenobiarch, abbot in Palestine, ob. 528, S01325), recounting his life as a miracle working ascetic. Written in Greek in Palestine.

Cyril of Scythopolis, Life of Theodosios (CPG 7539 = BHG 1777)

Summary:
(References to other saints, and their cults, are highlighted in bold.)

Theodosios is born in Mogarassos, a village of Caesarea in Cappadocia, not far from Comana. He is a singer of the Church of Comana. He comes to Jerusalem under Marcian (450-457) and initially joins Longinos, an ascetic monk of the Anastasis, living at David’s Tower in Jerusalem. Longinos discourages Theodosios from leaving for the desert, due to the conflicts of the time over Monophysitism. Instead, he assigns him to the monastery then established by the ascetic noble woman Hikelia at the Kathisma of the Theotokos (*Mary, Mother of Christ, S00033). Hikelia was the first to establish the celebration of Christ’s Presentation in the Temple (Hypapante/Candlemas) with the use of tapers. Theodosios serves as the steward and singer of that shrine, and is soon elected as its abbot. Yet, seeking solitude and peace, he flees. He initially settles at Metopa, with the anchorite Marinos and abba Loukas of Metopa, disciples of *Euthymios (the Great, ascetic in Palestine, S01352). He soon establishes a vast coenobium, which becomes famous in Palestine. Theodosios’ coenobium grows thanks to a number of miraculous events, and to the donations of the illustris Akakios, an official from Constantinople. Theodosios is elected superintendent of all the cenobitic monasteries of Jerusalem. He dies on 11 January 528, aged 105. Theodosios’ successor, the Armenian *Sophronios, expands the monastery and builds its church of the Theotokos. Sophronios dies on 21 March 542.

Text: Schwartz 1939.
Summary: Efthymios Rizos.