Venerable Prochorus "Lebednik" (the Bread-maker) of the Kiev Caves

Venerable Prochorus, called "Lebednik" ("the Bread-maker"), labored at the Kiev Caves Monastery in the late 11th–early 12th century. Coming from Smolensk, he was tonsured by Hegumen John and took up a severe labor: gathering lebeda (a wild weed), grinding it into flour, and baking bread from it — his only food for many years, hence his nickname. During a severe famine caused by princely feuds and Polovtsian raids, his bread miraculously tasted sweet to those genuinely in need, while bread taken from him by force turned bitter and inedible. When Kiev suffered a salt shortage, he freely distributed ashes that were miraculously transformed into pure salt, saving many poor citizens from ruin. Shortly before his death he foretold coming events to Prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavich. He reposed on February 10, 1107, and was buried in the Near (Antonian) Caves.