Gregory the Wonderworker (+1093)

The Venerable Gregory, a hermit of the Kiev Caves, lived in the eleventh century. All his life Saint Gregory ate nothing but raw herbs. He gave these herbs to the sick who came to ask his help as well. And they were miraculously healed.

The Venerable Gregory was tonsured a monk in the Kiev Caves monastery in the time of the Venerable Theodosius (+1074; commemorated 3 May). The saint read a great deal: books were his only possessions. The Venerable Gregory had a wonderful gift for bringing thieves to their senses. Robbers crept into his cell and garden several times, but, admonished by the holy father, they fell into repentance and gave up their lawless life. Once the saint went down to the Dnieper to fetch water. The young soldiers of Prince Rostislav, who were setting out on campaign, laughed at him and began to mock him. The monk said to them: “Young men, you ought now to be asking everyone you meet for prayers in fear, for the Lord has already passed sentence: the water will swallow you all together with your prince!” By order of the enraged commander the Venerable Gregory’s hands and feet were bound, a stone was tied round his neck, and he was thrown into the Dnieper. Yet what he had foretold came true: Rostislav did not return from battle; routed by the Polovtsians, the twenty-year-old prince was swallowed by the water.

Miraculously saved, the Venerable Gregory the Wonderworker reposed in 1093 and is buried in the Kiev Caves Lavra.