Venerable
Venerable, Presbyter Damian of the Kiev Caves, the Healer
X век — †1071
Venerable Damian of the Kiev Caves, the Healer — a presbyter who labored in the Kiev Caves monastery during the abbacy of St. Theodosius; he still remembered the Baptism of Rus (988); he ate only bread and water, did not sleep at night, and was diligent in reading spiritual literature; for his virtuous life he was granted by God the gift of healing the sick through prayer and anointing with holy oil.
Venerable Damian still remembered the Baptism of Rus in 988. He held the sacred rank of presbyter and labored in the Kiev Caves monastery during the abbacy of St. Theodosius of the Caves, imitating in every way his mentor's angelic way of life. According to the Tale of Bygone Years, Venerable Damian ate only bread and water, did not sleep at night, and diligently read spiritual books. For his monastic labors and virtuous life, the Lord granted him the gift of wonderworking and healing the sick through prayer and anointing with holy oil — hence his epithet "the Healer." He died in 1071. His relics rest in the Near (Anthony's) Caves of the Kiev Caves Lavra. His memory is kept on October 5/18, as well as in the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves and the Synaxis of the Kiev Saints.