Theoctistus of Palestine

Venerable Theoctistus/Theoktistos of Palestine, also Abba Theoktistus/Theoktistos (died 451), was an associate of Euthymius the Great. He was an ascetic who lived in a cell at the Pharan lavra, not far from the main monastery established by Euthymius,[1] and later became hegumen (abbot) of another monastery of the Judaean Desert, which became named after him.

Ascetic life

Remains of Faran/Pharan monastery

Euthymius and Theoctistus seeked challenge and solitude in the desert each year after the Leave-taking of Theophany (the last day of the feast associated with the Baptism of Jesus), only returning to their hermitages on Palm Sunday.[2] Five years into their association, they went into the desert for Great Lent, and found in a wadi (see Wadi Mukallik/Nahal Og) a large cave where they remained praying for some time. Eventually shepherds from Bethany^[which?] discovered them, and people from the area began to visit seeking spiritual guidance and bringing food. The monks then built a church. When other monks came seeking instruction, Euthymius and Theoctistus built a lavra over the cave church. Theoctistus became hegumen of the monastery.[2]

Euthymius is credited with establishing several monasteries, including that of Theoctistus.[3]

Death and commemoration

Theoctistus died at an advanced age in 451 and is commemorated on 3 September.[4]

References

1. Theoctistus & Euthymius, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
2. Venerable Theoctistus, Orthodox Church in America.
3. Binns, John (2011). "Euthymius the Great". In Betz, Hans D; Browning, Don S; Janowski, Bernd; Jüngel, Eberhard (eds.). Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart [Religion in History and Present]. BRILL. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
4. "Orthodox Calendar", Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, East Baltimore

Further reading

• Baring-Gould, S. (1897). The Lives of the Saints. Vol. 1. London: J. C. Nimmo. (pp. 306−307)
• Schwartz, Eduard (1939). Kyrillos von Skythopolis [Cyril of Scythopolis] (in German). Leipzig: J. C. Hinrichs. pp. 49 (n. 23), 224 (n. 5), 290, 358-59, 364, 405. Retrieved 30 January 2025 – via Internet Archive. Greek text and commentary (in German).