Агапит Печерский

About Агапит Печерский

Saint Agapit of the Caves, a physician without pay, was born in Kyiv, a novice and disciple of Saint Anthony of the Caves, and lived in the 11th century. Whenever one of the monastic brethren fell ill, Saint Agapit would come to him and selflessly care for the sick person, feeding them boiled herbs he prepared himself, and the sick person would recover through the saint's prayers. Many laypeople also sought the monastery physician, who possessed the gift of healing. At the same time, there was an experienced Armenian physician in Kiev who could determine the extent of a patient's illness simply by looking at him and even pinpoint the day of his death. When one of these doomed men turned to Saint Agapit, the blessed healer, with prayer, gave him food from the monastery's refectory, and the sick man recovered. Fueled by envy, the physician tried to poison Agapit, but the Lord preserved the saint, and the poison had no effect.

Saint Agapit healed the Chernigov Prince Vladimir Monomakh, the future Grand Prince of Kiev (1114–1125), by sending him boiled herbs. The grateful prince himself came to the monastery and asked to see his healer, but the humble ascetic hid and refused the gifts.

When the holy healer himself fell ill, the same Armenian physician came to him and, after examining him, declared that death would occur in three days. He vowed to become an Orthodox monk if his prediction did not come true. The saint replied that the Lord had revealed to him that He would call him only in three months.

Saint Agapit reposed three months later (June 1, no later than 1095), and the Armenian came to the abbot of the Caves Monastery, repented, and was tonsured. "It is true that Agapit is a saint of God," he said. "I knew well that he could not survive his illness for three days, but the Lord gave him three months." Thus, the saint healed his spiritual affliction and set him on the path to salvation.

Troparion

Empathizing with the God-bearing Anthony's humility, you healed the sick as if with some edible herb, O Venerable Agapitus. Thus, having convinced the unbelieving physician, you guided him on the path to salvation. Heal our illnesses, and pray to the Lord for those who sing your praises.

Kontakion

O marvelous physician, revealing your unquestioning faith, denouncing the Armenians' unbelief and leading them to piety, you, near death, asked God for a prolongation of life for yourself. By this miracle, you assured him, and brought him to Christ. Standing before Him in joy, pray for us, O Venerable One.

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