Ephraim of the Kiev Caves, metropolitan of Pereyaslavl, venerable (Near Caves)

Dates of commemoration

Feb 10

(Church calendar – Jan 28) Day of tonsure

Mar 12

(Church calendar - Feb 27) Synaxis of all Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves (movable feast on the 2nd Sunday of the Great Lent)

Jul 28

(Church calendar - Jul 15) Synaxis of All Saints of Kiev

Oct 11
(Church calendar - Sep 28) Synaxis of the Saints of the Kievan Caves Monastery, venerated in the near caves of Venerable Anthony
Oct 12

(Church calendar – Sep 29) Synaxis of Saints of Poltava

Life

Saint Ephraim of the Caves, Bishop of Pereyaslavl, before his tonsure into monasticism, was treasurer and steward of household affairs at the court of the Kiev Great Prince Izyaslav (Demetrius) Yaroslavich (1054-1068). Weighed down by this noisy and bustling life and wishing to become a monk, he was accepted by Saint Anthony of the Kiev Caves and was tonsured by Saint Nikon (March 23).

The enraged prince demanded that Ephraim return, threatening to lock him up in prison and to destroy the Monastery of the Caves. Saint Anthony and the brethren left the monastery and decided to go to another place. Izyaslav, however, feared the wrath of God. He took his wife’s advice and withdrew his forces from the monastery in disgrace.

Saint Ephraim wished to go on pilgrimage to the holy places abroad. With the blessing of Saint Anthony, he journeyed to Constantinople and settled there in one of the monasteries. While in Constantinople, Saint Ephraim made a copy of the Studite monastic Rule, and took it to Kiev at the request of Saint Theodosius. As soon as he received the Rule, Saint Theodosius implemented it in his monastery.

After the year 1072 Ephraim was made bishop in Pereyaslavl, with the title of Metropolitan. He adorned Pereyaslavl with many beautiful churches and public buildings, and he built stone walls around the city in the Greek manner. He built free hospices for the poor and travelers, and constructed several public bath-houses.

In the year 1091, Saint Ephraim participated in the opening and solemn transfer of the relics of Saint Theodosius. A Life of Saint Ephraim existed in former times, but it has not survived. We find an account of him both in the Life of Saint Theodosius, and in the Russian Chronicles. A tale and encomium for Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is ascribed to Saint Ephraim.

Saint Ephraim died in the year 1098. He was buried in the Antoniev (Far) Caves of the Kiev Caves monastery.

His memory is also celebrated on September 28 and on the second Sunday of Great Lent.

Source:

https://oca.org/saints/lives/2017/01/28/100331-st-ephraim-the-bishop-of-pereyaslavl-kiev-caves-far-caves

 

Holy relic type

unless specified otherwise below, "holy relic" means a fragment of a bone of the saint

1. Holy relic
2. Holy relic

Location of the holy relic in the Cathedral:

1. North kliros, reliquary #5
2. Relics cabinet in the Altar sacristy, board #2

Icon

Troparion

Тропарь преподобного Ефрема Печерского, еп. Переяславского, глас 8
Духом горя путешествия к святым местом, / странствовал еси в Греческую землю, / святителю Ефреме, / отнюдуже со многою пользою возвращаяся, / устав святаго Студийскаго монастыря списав, / аки некий многочестен дар, семо принесл еси, / имже и днесь Церковь Российская управляема / славит тебе, истиннаго о ней промысленника.

Kontakion

Кондак преподобного Ефрема Печерского, еп. Переяславского, глас 8 Церкви
Православной Российской по желанию Бргоноснаго Феодосия устав Студийский принесшаго,/ во святйтелех же светло просиявшаго/ и стадо свое добре упасшаго,/ восхваляем тя, Ефреме,/ яко молящася Господеви о всех нас.

Address of our Cathedral

  • 4001 17th St. N.W.,
  • Washington, D.C., 20011

Phone  (202) 726-3000

Email        webmaster@stjohndc.org

 

Donate

Go to top