Schema Monk Kuksha was born in 1874 in the village of Garbuzinka, Kherson province, in a pious peasant family. From a young age, he loved silence and solitude, having great compassion for people. At the age of 20, he first went on a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem, and then to the Holy Mountain Athos, where he was filled with the desire to serve God.
In 1896, Kosma arrived at Athos and became a novice at the Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery. He was tonsured into the rassophore with the name Konstantin, and later into monasticism with the name Ksenofont. In 1912-1913, with the blessing of his spiritual father, he moved to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, where he was ordained as a hieromonk.
During the years of persecution against the Orthodox Church, Father Kuksha was arrested and sent to camps, where he continued to confess and commune the prisoners. After his release in 1948, he returned to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and began to undertake the feat of eldership, caring for many believers.
In 1953, he was transferred to the Holy Assumption Pochaev Lavra, where he continued to serve and hear confessions. Father Kuksha experienced a miraculous healing after a serious illness, and his spiritual children testified to his holiness.
In 1964, foreseeing his end, he peacefully departed to the Lord. After his death, miracles occurred at his grave, and on September 29, 1994, his relics were found, and on October 22 of the same year, he was glorified in the rank of the venerable.
Today, the relics of Venerable Kuksha rest in the Odessa Holy Assumption Monastery, emanating grace-filled help to all who turn to him in faith.
