Venerable Mark of Pechersk, Grave Digger

St. Mark Grave Digger Pechersky. Fresco

Mark Grave Digger, Pechersk
(-XII centuries), Venerable Memory of December 29, in the Cathedral of the Reverend Fathers of the Kiev-Pechersk Near Caves and in the Cathedral of all the Reverend Fathers of the Kiev-Pechersk

Mark Peschernik served as a gravedigger at the Kiev Pechersk Monastery. Under him, the Monk Theodosius was carried out of the cave into the Great Church. Mark dug many cave graves with his own hands and carried the earth on his shoulders, working every day and night. He dug many graves for the burial of his brothers, without demanding anything for it. If someone himself offered him something, he accepted and gave it to the poor.

One day, while digging, as usual, he became exhausted, tired, and left the grave narrow and unexpanded. One of the monks died that day, and there was no other grave left. Because of the cramped conditions, the monk was placed with difficulty. The brethren began to grumble against Mark, unable to pour oil on the deceased. And then, according to the word of the monk, the deceased, rising slightly, extended his hand, took the oil, poured it on himself in a cross shape, and then lay down in his place.

Another time, not having time to prepare a place for a deceased monk, Mark, during the funeral service, sent him a request to resurrect and wait another day. The deceased immediately opened his eyes and his soul returned to him, and he lived another day and night with his eyes open, but without speaking.

Once the Monk Mark prepared a common grave for two brothers - Theophilus and John the Younger. The Lord called John earlier, and when Theophilus was indignant at why his brother was put in the place intended for the elder, Saint Mark humbly asked the dead man to move, which he did. The amazed Theophilus repented and spent a long life in piety and mortal memory.

When Mark learned about the time of his death, he called Theophilus, said goodbye to him and asked for his prayers. The relics of the saint were placed in the Near Caves, where he himself dug a grave. There lie the chains that he wore on himself, and the copper cross from which he drank water. With his lips he sanctified it so much that it became miraculous.

St. Mark Grave Digger Pechersky. Icon at the relics of the saint in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra

Troparion, tone 1
:

Having mortified the carnal lusts through much abstinence/ and digging the coffins of the saints,/ it is as if you were dead, living in a cave,/ you raised up the dead by your command,/ Marco is the exalted no,/ dead also our carnal wisdom/ and guide us in the course of virtues,// praying for us the One Lover of Mankind.

Venerable Mark of Pechersk, Grave Digger

Brief Lives of Saints Mark the Grave Digger, Theophilus and John of Pechersk, in the Near Caves

The Kiev-Pechersk Patericon tells about the monks Mark the Grave Digger, Theophilus the Lamentable and John (XI-XII).
Two monk brothers, the venerable Theophilus and John, loved each other so much that they begged the venerable Mark to prepare one grave for them. Many years later, the elder brother was sent on monastic affairs. At that time, Brother John fell ill and died. A few days later the Monk Theophilus returned and went with the brethren to see where the deceased was laid. Seeing that he was lying in the first place in their common coffin, he was indignant at blessed Mark and said: “Why did you put him here in my place? I'm older than him." The cave dweller, humbly bowing to St. Theophilus, asked to forgive him. Then, turning to the deceased, he said: “Brother, get up and give this place to the elder, and you lie down in another place.” And the dead man moved in the coffin. Seeing this, the Monk Theophilus fell at the feet of the Monk Mark and asked for forgiveness. The caveman told him to take care of his salvation, since after a while he would also be brought here. Hearing this, the Monk Theophilus was horrified and decided that he would soon die. Having given away everything he had and leaving only his robe, he waited every day for the hour of death. No one could keep him from crying or make him taste sweet food. The Monk Theophilus lost his sight from tears. Before his death, St. Mark, in response to his plea to die with him, said: “Do not wish for death, it will come, even if you do not wish it. This is what will serve as a sign of your imminent death: three days before death you will receive your sight.” The saint's words were fulfilled. The body of St. Theophilus was laid in the Anthony Cave, in a tomb together with his brother St. John, near the relics of St. Mark.

Complete Lives of Saints Mark the Grave Digger, Theophilus and John of Pechersk, in the Near Caves

Saints Mark, John and Theophilus labored in the Kiev-Pechersk monastery at the end of the 11th and the very beginning of the 12th centuries.

The occupation of the Monk Mark was to dig caves and prepare chambers - places for the burial of the brethren (that is why he was called Pechernik, that is, living in a cave). But even with such simple work, the ascetic achieved extraordinary spiritual perfection. Living in a cave, the monk dug such graves with his own hands and carried the earth out on his shoulders. Working day and night for the Lord, the monk prepared many places for the burial of the brethren. The ascetic did not take anything for his work; if anyone voluntarily gave him something, he accepted and distributed everything to the poor. Working in silence and watching day and night, St. Mark, however, was not satisfied with these labors and exploits. Humbling his flesh with fasting, vigil and prayer, in order to completely mortify it, he placed heavy chains on his loins and even abstained from drinking water: when he was thirsty, he drank only as much water as could fit in his copper cross, which he always carried with him. .

The incessant labors and exploits of the saint were pleasing to God. Mark, and He vouchsafed Pechernik such miraculous power that even the dead obeyed his voice.

One day Mark, digging a grave as usual, became exhausted and left the place cramped and unexpanded. It happened that on the same day one sick monk died and there was no other grave for him except this narrow and uncomfortable one. At that time it was customary to bury the body of the deceased on the day of his death. Therefore, they soon brought the dead man into the cave to the unfinished chamber and, due to the cramped space, had difficulty laying him down. It turned out to be completely impossible to remove the dead man, or straighten his clothes, or even pour oil on him, the place was so narrow and inconvenient. Then the brethren grumbled against Mark. The pechernik bowed low to everyone with humility and said: “Forgive me, holy fathers, I did not finish due to weakness.” But the brothers scolded and reproached him even more. Then Mark, turning to the dead man, said to him: “Brother, the place is cramped; so work hard yourself, take the oil and pour it on yourself.” And the dead man, rising a little, stretched out his hand, took the oil, poured it crosswise on his chest and face and, giving the vessel, cleaned himself up in front of everyone, lay down and fell asleep. Fear and trembling gripped everyone who saw such a miracle.

Another brother died after a long illness. One of his friends wiped the body of the deceased with a sponge and went into the cave to see the place where the body of the deceased would lie. He asked Mark Pechernik about this, but the blessed one answered him: “Go and tell your brother: wait until tomorrow until they dig out a place for you, then you will retire from life.” “Father,” the monk who came objected to Mark, “who do you tell to speak? I have already wiped his dead body with a sponge.” But the monk repeated to him again: “You see: the place is not ready yet. I command you - go and tell the deceased: the sinful Mark says to you: live this day, and tomorrow you will go to the Christ you desire, our Lord. When I prepare a place to put you, I will send for you.”

Obeying St. Mark, the monk returned to the monastery. Here all the brethren performed funeral chanting over the deceased. Then the monk stood in front of them and addressed the deceased with these words: “Mark tells you that a place has not yet been prepared for you, wait until the morning.” Everyone was surprised by these words. But even more amazing was the fact that at this word the soul of the deceased returned to his body; he opened his eyes and remained alive all night, with his eyes open, but he did not say anything. The next day his friend again went to the cave to find out if the place was ready. Blessed Mark met him and said: “Go and tell the one who has come to life: Mark says to you: leave this temporary life and move on to eternal life; the place is ready for your body. Commit your spirit to God, and your body will be laid here, in the cave with the holy fathers.”

The brother went and conveyed the words of the saint to his revived friend. Brand. In front of everyone who came to visit him, he immediately closed his eyes and gave up his spirit to God. He was buried in a cave, in a place prepared for him. And everyone marveled at this miracle.

Two spiritual brothers lived in the Pechersky Monastery - John and Theophilus. From their youth they were united by bonds of spiritual love: they had the same will, the same thoughts and desires, the same zeal for God. They begged St. Mark to prepare for them a common place for burial, where they could lie down together when the Lord commands them. Much time later, the eldest of them, Theophilus, left the monastery due to some need. At this time, the younger brother, John, having pleased the Lord, fell ill and died. He was buried in a prepared place. A few days after the death of John, Theophilus returned and, having learned about the death of his beloved brother, was greatly grieved. Then, taking several monks with him, he went into the cave to see where and in what place the deceased was laid. Seeing that he was placed in first place in their common chamber, he became very angry with Mark, grumbled a lot at him and said indignantly: “Why did you put him here? I’m older, and you put it in my place.” The pechernik, humbly bowing to him, answered: “Forgive me, brother, I have sinned before you.” Then, turning to the deceased, he said to him: “Brother, get up and give way to someone who is not dead, but lie down in another, lower place.” And suddenly, at the word of the blessed one, the deceased stood up and lay down in another place. Great horror gripped everyone present. Then Theophilus, who had grumbled against the monk, fell with trepidation at his feet and asked: “Father, I have sinned, I disturbed my brother from his place. I pray you, order him to lie down in his old place again.” But the blessed one humbly answered him: “The Lord Himself stopped the enmity between us. For the sake of your murmur, so that you, always at enmity, would not hold a grudge against me, He did such a wonderful thing that even a soulless body showed true love for you, yielding eldership to you even after death. And I wanted that, without leaving here, you would take advantage of your seniority and immediately be laid here. But since you are not yet ready for death, then go and take care of your soul: in a few days you will be brought here. Raising the dead is God’s work, and I am a sinful man. Here the dead man, unable to bear your anger, insults and reproaches to me, gave you half of the place prepared for both of you. And since only Almighty God can raise him, I myself cannot say to the deceased: get up and lie down again in the highest place. Tell him now, won’t he listen to you like he does now?” Hearing this, Theophilus was horrified and thought that he would immediately fall dead and not reach the monastery. Having reached his cell, he indulged in the feat of incessant weeping. Having distributed everything down to the last shirt and leaving only his retinue and mantle, Theophilus waited every day for the hour of death. And no one could keep him from crying; no one could force him to taste sweet food. Every morning he said to himself: “I don’t know if I will live until the evening.” Night came, and he said with tears: “What should I do? Will I survive until morning? For many, having risen in the morning, did not reach the evening and, having reclined on their beds, did not get up from them. Moreover, I, who have already received notice from the monk, that my life will soon end.” And with tears he prayed to the Lord to give him time to repent. Every day and hour Theophilus awaited his death, exhausting himself with fasting, crying and praying incessantly. With such a feat, over the course of several years, Theophilus dried up his body so much that all his joints and bones could be counted. Many came to console him, but their speeches only brought him to more sobbing. Finally, from incessant crying and tears, he became blind.

The Monk Mark, foreseeing the hour of his departure to the Lord, called Theophilus and said to him: “Brother Theophilus! Forgive me that I have upset you for many years, and pray for me, for I am already leaving this world. If I receive boldness before the Almighty, then I will not forget to pray for you, may the Lord grant us to meet there and be together with our fathers Anthony and Theodosius.” Theophilus answered him with tears: “Father Mark! Why are you leaving me? Either take me with you, or give me my sight.” “Do not grieve, brother,” St. Mark answered him, “with your physical eyes you have become blind for the sake of God, but with your spiritual eyes you have received your sight to His understanding. By announcing your imminent death, I became the cause of your blindness. But I wanted to benefit your soul by turning your arrogance into humility, for God will not despise a broken and humble heart (Ps. 50:19).” Theophilus answered the monk: “I know, my father, that for my sins I should have fallen dead before you in the cave at the same time as you raised my dead brother, but the Lord spared me for the sake of your holy prayers, gave me life, awaiting my repentance. Now I ask you this: either take me with you to the Lord, or return the light to my eyes.” Then Rev. Mark again objected to him: “You don’t need to see this short-lived light, but rather ask the Lord to make you worthy to see His glory. And don’t wish for death: it will come, even if you don’t want it. And here is the sign of your departure: three days before your death you will receive your sight, so you will go to the Lord and see there endless light and ineffable glory.” Having said this, Rev. Mark died, and his honest relics were placed in a cave, in a place that he had dug for himself.

St. Theophilus was deeply saddened by the separation from his father and mentor, St. Mark. The death of Pechernik stung Theophilus’s heart and redoubled his crying and sobbing. He shed whole sources of tears, and the tears multiplied more and more. He had a vessel and, standing in prayer, put it in front of him and cried inconsolably over it, remembering the death of his mentor, and thinking with tears about his imminent departure from this mortal world. And a few years later this vessel was full of tears. Finally, having learned that his death was approaching, Theophilus diligently prayed to the Lord that his tears would be pleasing to Him. Raising his hands to the sky, he prayed: “Master, Lover of Mankind, Lord Jesus Christ, my Most Holy King! You do not want the death of sinners, but are waiting for their conversion, knowing our deep weakness, Good Comforter! You are health to the sick, salvation to sinners, strengthener to the weak, uprising to the fallen! I pray to You, Lord, at this hour: show me, unworthy, Your mercy and pour out on me the inexhaustible abyss of Your compassion, deliver me from the temptations of the ordeals of airy princes and do not let them take possession of me, through the prayers of Your saints, our great fathers Anthony and Theodosius and all the saints who have pleased You from time immemorial.”

And suddenly an Angel of the Lord appeared before him, beautiful in appearance, and said to him: “You pray well, but why do you boast about the vanity of your tears, collected by you in a vessel?” And taking another vessel, much larger than Theophilus’s, filled with a fragrance like fragrant myrrh, he showed it to the ascetic and said: “These are your tears, shed from your heart in prayer, which you wiped with your hand, handkerchief or clothing, and which dripped to the ground from your eyes.” yours. By command of our Creator, I collected them all and preserved them in this vessel. Now I have been sent to tell you joy: you will go to Him with joy, for He said: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4).”

Having said this, the Angel placed the vessel in front of Theophilus and became invisible. Blessed Theophilus immediately called the abbot and told him the appearance of the Angel and his speech. Showing the abbot both vessels: one full of tears, and the other with incense, incomparable to any aromas, the monk asked to pour them on his body during burial.

Three days later, St. Theophilus peacefully departed to the Lord. His venerable body was laid in a cave, along with the body of his beloved brother the Monk John, near St. Pechernik brand. All three ascetics rest in the Antonieva, or Near, Cave. And when Theophilus’ body was anointed from the vessel of Angels, the whole cave was filled with a fragrance. Then they poured out a vessel of tears on him, so that he who sowed with tears might reap in joy the fruit of the work of his hands. “For it is said,” the monk Polycarp concludes his story about the monks Mark, John and Theophilos, “they weep, throwing away their seeds (Ps. 125:6), but they will be comforted in Christ, to whom be glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to forever and ever. Amen".

Currently, over the relics of St. Mark there are heavy chains hanging, testifying to the exploits and labors of the saint, and a monument to his abstinence - a copper cross from which he drank water. And many who come with faith to the holy relics of St. Mark and those who reverently drink water from his copper cross, consecrated by his lips, through the prayer of the saint receive healing from all ailments and illnesses.

The memory of the holy saints of God, the Venerable Mark Pechernik the Grave Digger, John and Theophilus the Lamentable, has long been celebrated by the entire Russian Church.

Resurrection of the Monk

There was another case when Saint Mark the Grave Digger did not have time to prepare a place for a newly appointed monk. Another monk, having wiped the deceased with a sponge, went into the cave to look at the place where his body would rest.

Having met Mark on his way, he asked if the place was ready. But he asked to tell the deceased to wait a little longer. But the monk said in surprise that he had already wiped the monk’s dead body and left. Arriving at the monastery, he saw how the brethren were singing for the deceased. Then he told his dead brother all the words that the saint had conveyed to him. Mark that the place is not ready yet and we need to wait.

As soon as he uttered the words conveyed by blessed Mark, the soul instantly returned to the deceased. He opened his eyes without speaking, and lived the period that Mark had so asked for. In the morning, when the place was ready, the body of the deceased was laid, and the spirit immediately went to God.