Repose of Saint Theoktistos, Archbishop of Novgorod

Before Saint Theoktistos (Theóktistos) became a bishop, he was the Igoumen of Annunciation Monastery near Novgorod. After the repose of Archbishop Clement in the year 1300, the people of Novgorod chose him as their Archbishop. Metropolitan Maximus and Bishops Simeon of Rostov and Andrew of Tver consecrated Saint Theoktistos as Archbishop of Novgorod on June 29, 1300.

One of the Hierarch's concerns was the renovation and building of churches. He consecrated cathedrals in honor of Saints Boris and Gleb (July 24), and in honor of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council (Seventh Sunday after Pascha). Valaam Monastery was set in good order during this time.

Because of his poor health, the Hierarch retired to Annunciation Monastery in 1307, devoting himself to the ascetical feat (podvig) of silence until his blessed repose on December 23,1310.

Saint Theoktistos was glorified in 1664, because of the many miraculous cures which took place before his relics. His relics were transferred to Yuriev in 1786, where Archimandrite Photios built a chapel in the local cathedral and dedicated it to Saint Theoktistos.

On July 10, 2015, as a result of the opening of an XVIII century tomb by an archaeological team led by Vladimir Sedov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Doctor of Art History, in the presence of Metropolitan Leo of Novgorod and Staraya Rus, the holy relics of Archbishop Theoktistos of Novgorod were discovered. His relics were solemnly transferred to the Cathedral of the Savior at Saint George's Monastery, and placed in a reliquary for the faithful to venerate. At the same time, the first Moleben was served in honor of the discovery of the holy relics of Saint Theoktistos.

Saint Theoktistos is also commemorated on the following dates: January 23 (The recovery of his Holy Relics); and on the third Sunday after Pentecost (Synaxis of the Novgorod Saints).