Righteous Theodosius of Tarnovo

Venerable Theodosius of Tarnovo (c. 1300–1363) was a Bulgarian hesychast monk and disciple of St. Gregory of Sinai. As a young man he was tonsured near Tarnovo, capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, then withdrew to Mount Sinai and to Paroria, joining St. Gregory of Sinai there. Returning to Bulgaria, he settled near Mount Kilifarevo outside Tarnovo and founded a coenobitic monastery that became a major center of spiritual life and learning — a "Bulgarian lavra." Among his disciples was the future last Patriarch of Tarnovo, St. Euthymius of Tarnovo. Theodosius was renowned as a zealous opponent of heresies spreading in Bulgaria — Bogomilism, Judaizing teachings, and Messalianism — taking part in councils that condemned them. At the invitation of his friend and fellow disciple, Patriarch Callistus I of Constantinople, he traveled there and reposed in 1363, on the feast day of his own teacher Gregory of Sinai. Patriarch Callistus wrote his Life. He was buried in the Monastery of St. Mamas.