Born in Cappadocia, Asia Minor
Theodosius was born at Garissus, Cappadocia (from where St. Basil and his family also have their origins) in 423 A.D. In his youth, he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he visited St. Simeon Stylites and was able to learn the ways of holiness in the East. After this pilgrimage and journey, he entered one of the monasteries existing near Jerusalem. Then after a number of years, he was appointed to head a church in an area near Bethlehem. He left this appointment to become a hermit in the desert of Judah. Theodosius' extraordinary piety drew quite a number of followers, whom he organized into a monastic community at Cathismus (near Bethlehem).
Began to promote cenobitic monastic life
The monastery near Bethlehem that Theodosius found began to fill up with monks. It was at this time that he saw the need of cenobitic monastic life - religious life in community. He also realized a need to help people living near the monastery. So he attached three hospices or infirmaries next to it: one for the sick, another for the aged, and a third for the mentally disturbed. In the monastery, Theodosius organized the monks according to four language groups to facilitate prayer and communication in the communities. He also made a daily schedule for the monks which consisted of prayer, manual labor, and rest. This monastic system and organization resembled a small city and became a model of its kind in the East. It was this monastic structure that earned St. Theodosius the title, "Cenobiarch" - meaning, abbot general of all cenobitic communities in Palestine.
A strong advocate against heresies
There was a group of Monophysites at that time who believed that Jesus Christ only had a divine nature and was not human. St. Sabas, who was made head of all those living in hermitages in Palestine, fought alongside St. Theodosius against these Monophysites. Both of them also opposed the heresy of Eutychianism which was promoted by Emperor Anastasius. Because of the success and effectivity of their preaching, Theodosius was banished by an imperial edict. But when Emperor Justin replaced Anastasius, Theodosius was recalled back to his role as Cenobiarch in Palestine.
A long and holy life
Theodosius was already 95 years old when he was recalled to resume his duties as head of all cenobitic monastic life in the East. But he never expected to live for another eleven years. Upon his death at the age of about 106, the patriarch of Jerusalem and a majority of the Jerusalem population attended his funeral. Many miracles were attributed to his intercession. Though his feast is not on the General Roman Calendar, the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches acknowledge it. St. Theodosius the Cenobiarch then became known as a leading pioneer of cenobitic or communal monasticism in the East.
Edited from the following sources:
- A Year with the Saints, by Don Bosco Press, Inc.
- Lives of the Saints, by Richard P. McBrien
- Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
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