Our Venerable Father Polycarp, Archimandrite of the Kiev Caves
Life
Saint Polycarp was a twelfth-century monastic of the Kiev Caves Monastery (the Kiev Caves Lavra) who rose to lead its brotherhood as archimandrite. He entered the monastery and received monastic tonsure there, and according to his vita his name, which means "much fruit," was matched by the fruits of repentance and virtue he came to bear.
He is remembered above all as a guide of the brethren in the spiritual life and as a recorder of the monastery's ascetic tradition. Through his kinsman Saint Simon, Bishop of Vladimir and Suzdal, he received both spiritual instruction and the accounts of the holy ascetics of the Caves that he set down in writing, an activity that earned him the title "the Hagiologist." He reposed on 24 July 1182 and is commemorated on that day.
Timeline 4 moments
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12th centuryTonsure at the Kiev CavesPolycarp entered the Kiev Caves Monastery and received monastic tonsure, devoting himself to repentance and virtue.
12th centuryDiscipleship under Saint SimonHis relative Saint Simon, who became Bishop of Vladimir and Suzdal, instructed him in the principles of the spiritual life; the two grew united in spirit as they were united by blood.
12th centuryChosen Superior of the LavraAfter the death of Abbot Akindynus, the brotherhood chose Polycarp as Superior (archimandrite) of the Lavra during the reign of Prince Rostislav Mstislavich, where he guided both monks and laypeople.
24 July 1182ReposeSaint Polycarp reposed peacefully. For a long time afterward no successor was chosen, as the worthy Elders of the Lavra declined the office of igumen out of humility.
Contributions & Legacy
2 contributions
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Recorder of the Caves Tradition
Saint Polycarp's enduring contribution was hagiographical. His kinsman Saint Simon, who had himself been a monk of the Caves before becoming Bishop of Vladimir and Suzdal, related to him the stories of the God-pleasing ascetics of the Kiev Caves. Polycarp wrote these accounts down so that others might benefit from them, and for this reason he is also known as Saint Polycarp the Hagiologist.
As Superior he maintained the spiritual legacy and rule that Saint Theodosius had given the monastery, and he was renowned for establishing order and spiritual propriety in the community. Many nobles sought his guidance, and some renounced worldly life to become monks under him.
Relics & Shrines
Relics of Saint Polycarp are venerated in the caves of the Kiev Caves Lavra. Portions of his relics have also been received by parishes abroad: two bone relics are preserved in the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Washington, D.C., and relics were given to a Romanian Orthodox parish by Bishop Irineu on 15 January 2006.
