Venerable Sisoes of the Kiev Caves, Recluse

Saint Sisoes of the Kiev Caves ("the Faster," later "the Recluse") was a monk of the Kiev Caves Lavra who struggled in the Near (Antoniev) Caves, most likely in the 13th century. Almost nothing is known of his life beyond his commemoration among the incorrupt relics of the Near Caves fathers: a 1661 plan of the caves records him as "Sisoes the Faster," while a 1703 inventory lists him as "Sisoes the Recluse." Later Lavra tradition describes him simply as a monk who lived a strict ascetic life in his cave, overcame the passions of flesh and spirit, and received great grace from God. No detailed vita survives — as with many minor 13th-century Caves ascetics, he is venerated primarily as one among the multitude of saints of the Kiev Caves rather than through an individual narrative. His personal feast day is October 24 (Old Style) / November 6 (New Style). He is also commemorated with the Synaxis of the Fathers of the Near Caves (September 28 / October 11) and the Synaxis of All Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves on the second Sunday of Great Lent.