Erasm Zatvornik
- Life and Legacy of Venerable Erazm of the Kiev Pechersk Monastery
- Early Life and Charity
- Vision and Repentance
- Monastic Life and Death
- Veneration and Miracles
Life and Legacy of Venerable Erazm of the Kiev Pechersk Monastery
Venerable Erazm, a monk of the Kiev Pechersk Monastery, is revered as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church. His memory is celebrated on February 24 (March 8) in leap years or February 24 (March 9) in non-leap years, and on September 28 (October 11) during the feast of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Pechersk Near Caves.
Early Life and Charity
Erazm, once a wealthy man, dedicated his entire fortune to the beautification of churches, adorning them with valuable utensils and icons. However, upon losing his wealth, he fell into despair and became alienated from others. Despairing of receiving any reward for his charitable acts, he abandoned his former pious ways and fell into a depraved lifestyle.
Vision and Repentance
As a result of his sinful behavior, Erazm contracted a severe illness that left him blind and dumb for eight days. Upon his recovery, he shared with the monks gathered around him a vision that had come to him during his illness. In this vision, Saints Anthony and Theodosius appeared to him and assured him that God had granted him time for repentance.
The Virgin Mary then appeared to him, holding her son, Christ, in her arms, accompanied by a multitude of saints. She promised to glorify him in her Son's kingdom for his generosity in adorning her churches. She urged him to repent and embrace the monastic path, assuring him that he would be taken to her presence in three days.
Monastic Life and Death
Overwhelmed with remorse, Erazm confessed his sins to the monastery's brethren and took the monastic vows. On the third day after his confession, he passed away peacefully. His body was buried in the Near Caves of the Kiev Pechersk Monastery.
Veneration and Miracles
Erazm's local veneration began at an unknown date. His name was included in the Kiev Pechersk Monastery's liturgical books, including the "Polustav" (1643) and the Menaion (1680). The "Teraturgim" of Athanasius Kalnofoisky (1638) refers to him as a miracle-worker. Around 1643, Metropolitan Peter (Mogila) commissioned a canon to the Venerable Fathers of the Caves, which included a troparion dedicated to Erazm.
Official church-wide veneration began in the second half of the 18th century when the Holy Synod allowed the inclusion of certain Kiev saints in general calendars.
