Theodosius the Cenobiarch

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Feast Day: Jan 11

Born in Cappadocia and inspired by Abraham, Theodosius went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. After leading a church community near Bethlehem, he moved to a mountain cave, which he and his numerous disciples soon outgrew. So he built a large monastery with infirmaries for the sick, aged and mentally ill; churches for four different national groups; and a rule that included manual labor. It became a model in Palestine. Theodosius was appointed abbot general of all cenobia, or monastic communities, and battled the Monophysite heresy. He endured an imperial banishment, and when he died at 105 was buried in his mountain cave, which by tradition had been the Magi’s lodging.