Monk
Saint Theodotus, in the world Theodosy Levchenko, was born in the Chernigov province, Glukhov district, in the village of Chertorich. He came from simple Cossacks and was not taught to read and write. The father of Theodosy, being an honest and good Christian, raised his son in the fear of God and instilled in him a love for the holy life.
When the time came for Theodosy to withdraw from the world, he obtained a document for free residence in various places in Russia and forever left his homeland. He came to the Glinskaya Desert and joined the brotherhood, where he began his monastic life, working in the kitchen. Theodotus diligently fulfilled all assignments, not having a separate cell, and lived in the kitchen, performing the heaviest tasks.
Theodotus did not limit himself to only physical labors; he fervently prayed, making many prostrations and calling upon the Most Holy Theotokos and Jesus Christ. Despite the rough treatment from some people, he endured beatings and insults, freeing himself from passions and burning with zeal for God.
Over time, Theodotus reached the heights of dispassion and gained the respect and reverence of the brethren. He was tonsured into the rassophore and received the name Theodotus. The abbot of the Glinskaya Desert, Igumen Philaret, highly valued his prayers and spoke of God's favor towards the monastery.
Theodotus was granted visions and miracles, his prayers were heard, and he became known among the brethren. In 1859, feeling extreme exhaustion, he was transferred to the monastery apiary, where he completed his labors. Ten days before his death, he predicted his departure and received Holy Communion.
On July 16, Thursday, he quietly surrendered his spirit into the hands of the Lord, falling asleep like an innocent infant. At the hour of his death, a wonderful singing was heard, which gradually faded away, announcing his transition to eternity.
Thus ended his many years of labor and toil, this wondrous elder. His labors, patience, and struggle against the spirits of wickedness are known only to God, for Whom he rejected the world and his body, subjected to cruel exhaustion until the very end.
