Theodosius the Cenobiarch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Theodosius the Cenobiarch(c. 423-529) was a monk, abbot, and saint.

He was born in Cappadocia. When he was about thirty years old he left for Palestine, and formed a small community of monks near Bethlehem. The community grew rapidly, with monks of several cultures and languages, and became very well known for its work with the sick, elderly, and mentally impaired. When Theodosius' friend and countryman Sabbas was appointed archimandrite of all the isolated monks in Palestine by Patriarch Salustius of Jerusalem, Theodosius was made the leader of all those monks who lived in community. This is the origin of his being called "the Cenobiarch", which translates as chief of those living a life in common.

He was a staunch opponent of Monophysitism, which caused the Emperor Anastasius to remove him from office temporarily. He died near Jerusalem, at about 105 years old.

[edit] References

• Attwater, Donald and Catherine Rachel John. The Penguin Dictionary of Saints. 3rd edition. New York: Penguin Books, 1993. ISBN 0-140-51312-4.