Besides the apostles, there are not many saints venerated by Ukrainian Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholics.
In 2004, the Vatican updated the Martyrologium Romanum, an official list of saints recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. This included a large addition of new saints, many of them already recognized by Orthodox Churches.
Monks of the Kyiv Caves
Sts. Anthony and Theodosius of Kyiv were among the saints added to the calendar. Their feast days in the Roman Catholic Church are May 3 (Theodosius) and 7 (Anthony).
They are also celebrated by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church in May and July.
St. Anthony lived in the 10th century and left his home in Lyubech to join the monks at the Mount Athos monastery in Greece.
He eventually returned to his homeland and became a hermit, in the manner of St. Anthony of Egypt, in the caves surrounding Kyiv.
His holiness of life attracted many followers, among whom was St. Theodosius.
St. Theodosius learned much from St. Anthony and on account of the large number of followers, established a monastery. St. Theodosius is regarded as the Father of cenobitic monasticism in this region.
Both saints died in the 11th century and their example of monasticism continues to be an inspiration today.
Sts. Anthony and Theodosius of Kyiv, pray for Ukraine!
