Archbishop
Upon the presentation of Archbishop Clement, the Novgorodians, along with their posadnik Andrei, cherished the igumen of the Blagoveshchensky Monastery, Theoktist. In 1300, the holy Metropolitan Maximus appointed Theoktist as Archbishop of Novgorod. During his archiepiscopate, there was active construction of churches, including the church in honor of Archangel Michael and the churches of Saints Boris and Gleb.
Saint Theoktist participated in agreements with the great prince, Saint Michael of Tver, regarding the preservation of previous mutual relations. In 1307, after eight years of governance, he left the archiepiscopal see due to ill health and withdrew to the Blagoveshchensky Monastery, where he lived in silence for three years.
On December 23, 1310, the saint peacefully reposed. His body was laid in the Blagoveshchensky church. After his death, he was glorified by many miracles, including the healing of the sick who turned to him in prayer.
The veneration of the saint began shortly after his death, and in 1786, his relics were transferred to the Georgievsky temple. In 1827, an altar dedicated to Saint Theoktist was established.
