Venerable Saint Damian the Healer

Damian of the Kiev Caves, also known as Damian the Healer (died between 1062 and May 3, 1074), was a monk and presbyter of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. He is a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church, venerated as a venerable father, with feast days celebrated on September 28 (Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Near Caves of the Kiev Caves) and October 5 (Julian calendar). The life of Saint Damian was recorded by Nestor the Chronicler as part of the life of Saint Theodosius of the Kiev Caves. It is also included in all manuscripts of the Kiev Caves Patericon, beginning with the earliest versions. Damian arrived at the Kiev Pechersk Monastery during the abbacy of Saint Theodosius, became his disciple, and, according to his hagiography, zealously imitated the angelic life and all the virtues of his venerable father and mentor. Damian undertook a strict fast, consuming only bread and water until his death, and spent his nights in prayer and the reading of Holy Scripture. His life states that he possessed the gift of healing; when a sick person was brought to the monastery, Theodosius would command the blessed Damian to pray over the sufferer. The hagiography recounts that when Damian fell ill before his death, he prayed to God to grant both him and Theodosius a place in the Kingdom of Heaven. In response, an angel appeared to him in the likeness of Theodosius and said: Your request will be granted; you will be numbered among His saints and will dwell with them in the Kingdom of the Heavenly Master. Nineteenth-century sources claim that Damian died surrounded by the monks of the Kiev Caves on October 5, 1071, and was buried in the Near (Anthony) Caves of the monastery. The Orthodox Encyclopedia considers the date of 1071, commonly accepted in literature, to be unsubstantiated, noting that the time of the saint's death is defined by the period of Saint Theodosius's abbacy.