Saint Kuksha of the Kiev Caves

Saint Kuksha of the Kiev Caves (died after 1114, Kievan Rus' ) is a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church, monk and martyr from the Kiev Pechersk Lavra ("Kiev Monastery of the Caves"). He got famous for spreading Christianity among the heathen East Slavic tribe of Vyatichi (of the Oka basin in present-day Russia). Being a monk at Kiev Pechersk Lavra, he left to preach Gospel to idol-worshippers Viatichi. Shining with God's grace, he performed numerous miracles. Impressed by his powers and receiving his preaching, heathens began to convert and get baptised. Furious heathen priests of Viatichi got furious because of the destruction of their idols and put Kuksha to much suffering, finally cutting off his head and the head of his pupil. The name of the pupil is unknown. On the day of Kuksha's death, his spiritual father Saint Pimen the Faster stood in the middle of the monastery church and loudly proclaimed: "Our brother Kuksha has been killed this day" [ [http://www.lavra.kiev.ua/en/main.php?id=130&t=nearcaves The holy martyr Kuksha and saint Pimen the Faster] on the official site of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra ] . Saint Pimen died the same day.

The memory of Saint Kuksha, his follower and blessed Pimen is celebrated at the Lavra on the day of their death August 27 O.S. and September 27 O.S. The relics of Saint Kuksha are kept at St. Anthony Caves of the Lavra.

References

External links

* [http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/calendar/los/August/27-02.htm The PriestMartyr Kuksha and the Monk Pimen the Faster]

* (Russian) [http://www.portal-slovo.ru/rus/history/56/2520/ Karpov, Alexey Yurevich. "Venerable Kuksha - the Enlightener of Viatichi"]