The rich in mercy and compassionate Lord often sends troubles upon a person, in order to lead him to the truth through such punishment. During the reign of Prince Svyatopolk Iziaslavich, the people of Kiev suffered much violence. At this time, the blessed Prokhor came from Smolensk to the Caves Monastery and took monastic vows. He diligently labored in virtues, refusing ordinary bread and feeding on lamb's quarters. The Lord, seeing his patience, turned the bitterness of the bread into pleasant delight, and Prokhor always worked with joy. During this time, a great famine began in Rus', but the Lord blessed the harvest of lamb's quarters, and Prokhor began to distribute bread made from it to the needy. The bread baked from lamb's quarters seemed sweet only to those who received it with the blessing of the saint. Prokhor also distributed salt gathered from ash, which turned out to be pure salt. However, envious salt merchants slandered him to Prince Svyatopolk, who, deciding to take the salt, saw that it turned out to be dust. After this, the prince, ashamed, reconciled with Prokhor and began to honor him. Prokhor, having lived piously, fell ill and sent a message to the prince about his death. Svyatopolk, leaving his army, hurried to him, received forgiveness and blessing. After the saint's death, the prince buried him with his own hands in the cave. After defeating the Polovtsians, Svyatopolk began to regularly visit the Caves Monastery for blessings. Blessed Prokhor reposed on February 10, 1107, and was buried in the Near Caves.
