Venerable Isaac (+1090)

Before he became a monk, the Venerable Isaac was a rich merchant. Afterwards he distributed all his property to the poor, went to Kiev, and was tonsured a monk by the hand of the Venerable Anthony. The saint lived as a recluse and fasted very strictly: he took only a prosphora every other day. In the eighth year of his reclusion, through the devil’s machinations, the venerable father fell into grievous sin: he bowed down to an evil spirit, taking it for the Saviour. After this he became very weak. The Venerable Anthony and Theodosius cared for the sick monk. Only after three years was he able to stand on his feet, speak, and attend the services. After his recovery the saint took on the labour of foolishness for Christ and bore every insult without murmuring; before his death the blessed Isaac again gave himself to the labour of reclusion. After his healing the holy father lived twenty years, and died in 1090.