[[Image:Anthony and Theodosius of Kiev Caves.jpg|right|frame|Ss. Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev Caves]]Our venerable father '''Anthony of the Kiev Caves''' was born in 983 in Liubech, near Chernigov. He was named Antipas by his parents. In his youth he possessed a fear one of the God and dressed in monastic attire. As he matured he set off on a journey to -bearing ''[[Mount Athosstaretz|startsy]], where he took to '' of the monastic life. He received a monastic [[tonsureMonastery of the Kiev Caves]], the name Anthony, and set his life on a course to pleasing God and living a ascetic life on the path to virtue. He became known for his humility and obedience.

==Life==Anthony was born in 983 in Liubech, near Chernigov. He was named Antipas by his parents. In time, the his youth he possessed a fear of God and dressed in [[igumenmonasticism|monastic]] recognized in him attire. As he matured he set off on a great future ascetic. Inspired by God the igumen directed that Anthony should return journey to his home land [[Mount Athos]], where many monks shall come he took to himthe monastic life. Returning to He received a monastic [[tonsure]] with the Russian lands name Anthony visited many monasteries near Kiev, but was not able to find the strict and set his life that drew him to Mount Athos. In time, he came upon on a cave that had been dug by course of pleasing God and living an [[asceticism|ascetic]] life on the priest Hilarion, later path to be Metropolitan of Kiev, near the village of Berestovo[[virtues|virtue]]. Here he began He became known for his struggle in prayer, vigil, work, [[humility]] and fasting, eating only a morsel a day and sometimes not eating for week[[obedience]].

In his time, the [[igumen]] recognized in him a great future ascetic life people began . Inspired by God, the igumen directed that Anthony should return to his homeland where many monks would come to him for his blessing and counsel. Some who came decided Returning to stay with him. Anthony’s renown spread throughout the landRussian lands, inspiring Anthony visited many monasteries near Kiev, but was not able to a monastic find the strict lifethat drew him to Mount Athos. After twelve men had gathered with AnthonyIn time, the brethren dug he came upon a bigger cave, and within it made a church and cells for that had been dug by the monks. As the community became largerpriest Hilarion (later to be Metropolitan of Kiev), Anthony appointed Barlaam near the abbot village of the monastery and then withdrew to another place to dig a new cave where Berestovo. Here he secluded himself. But, monks began to settle around his new cave of seclusion. Thus were formed the Near struggle in prayer, vigil, work, and Far Caves monasteries. Later fasting, eating only a morsel a small wooden church, dedicated to the [[Dormition]] of the [[Mother of God]], was built over the Far Cavesday and sometimes not eating for week.

After the Great Prince Izyaslav of Kiev convinced the igumen BarlaamIn his ascetic life, people began to move come to him for his blessing and counsel. Some who came decided to stay with him. Anthony's renown spread throughout the Dimitriev monasteryland, inspiring many to the brethren, monastic life. After twelve men had gathered with Anthony's blessing, chose the meek brethren dug a bigger cave, and humble Theodosiuswithin it made a church and [[cell]]s for the monks. As the community became larger, Anthony appointed Barlaam as igumen. The community [[abbot]] of the Near monastery and Far Caves continued then withdrew to another place to grow, reaching dig a population of hundrednew cave where he secluded himself. ThenNevertheless, Prince Izyaslav gave the community of monks the hill where a large church and cells were built, and began to settle around which a palisade was builthis new cave of seclusion. Thus, the renown Monastery of were formed the Near and Far Caves came into beingmonasteries. Later, a small wooden church, dedicated to the first spiritual center in the land [[Dormition]] of the Rus[[Theotokos]], raised up through was built over the efforts of St. Anthony, without gold but on the prayers of saints and by their tears, vigil, and fastingFar Caves.

After the great Prince Izyaslav of Kiev convinced the igumen Barlaam to move to the Dimitriev monastery, the brethren, with Anthony's blessing, chose the meek and humble [[Theodosius of the Kiev Caves|Theodosius]], as igumen. The community of the Near and Far Caves continued to grow, reaching a population of hundred. Then, Prince Izyaslav gave the community of monks the hill where a large church and cells were built, around which a palisade was built. Thus, the renowned Monastery of the Kiev Caves came into being, the first spiritual center in the land of the Rus', raised up through the efforts of St. Anthony, without gold but on the prayers of [[saint]]s and by their tears, vigil, and fasting.  Many miraculous happening have been recorded of associated with St. Anthony at the Monastery of the Caves, including the appearance of the Mother of God before Saints Ss. Anthony and Theodosius in the Blachernae church in Constantinople, without their leaving their own monastery, and at which the Mother of God foretold the death of Anthony. He died on [[May 7]], 1073, and his [[relics]], through Divine Providencedivine providence, remain concealed.