Venerable Dositheus, Abbot of Verkneostrov, Pskov
Commemorated on October 8.
Venerable Dositheos, the first Igoumen of the Peter and Paul Verkhneostrov (Upper Island) Monastery at Pskov, was a disciple of Venerable Euphrosynos of the Savior-Eleazar Monastery of Pskov (+ May 15). In 1470, Saint Dositheos founded the Peter and Paul Monastery on Lake Pskov, where he was the Igoumen.
According to the chronicles, at that time the Talab Islands were an impenetrable forest and served as a haven for robbers.
Venerable Dositheos reposed in 1482. His relics rest in the Verkhneostrov Monastery, which was abolished by Emperess Catherine in 1764, and became the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul. After the October Revolution, the church was closed by the Bolsheviks, many clergymen were arrested and exiled. After their release, they were not permitted to return to the church. Some of them were shot.
In 1987, the name of Dositheos Verkhneostrov was added to the Synaxis of the Pskov Saints. The Venerable Dositheos is commemorated on October 8, and at the Synaxis of the Pskov Saints (third Sunday after Pentecost).
Troparion
You appeared as a bright lamp on an island in Lake Pskov;
for you took the Cross of Christ upon your shoulders from your youth,
and followed Him diligently, drawing nearer to God in purity;
therefore, you were enriched by the gift of miracles.
Thus we also, when we come to your holy icon,
we lament and cry out:
“O Venerable Father Dositheos, entreat Christ God for the salvation of our souls.”
Kontakion
With God’s help, you armed yourself with purity of soul,
and tightly grasping unceasing prayer as a spear, you overthrew the demonic hordes.
O Dositheos our Father,
pray unceasingly for all of us.