“…For His sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse, to gain Christ.” (Phil. 3:8)

In 1080, a son was born to the Grand Prince of Chernihiv, David Sviatoslavich, who was baptised with the name Pankraty. From his youth, the future prince had a great zeal for God. Pankraty’s parents saw him as a noble ruler, yet in the heart of this great prince beat the soul of an ascetic. His pious father, David, erected many Orthodox churches in Chernihiv, and Pankraty spent much time in prayer under the vault of the Assumption Cathedral in Chernihiv.

At 19, young Prince Pankraty was given rule over the principality of Lutsk. This was during a period of fierce internal conflicts when brother fought against brother, and no familial bonds could halt the bloodshed.

The pious prince was married, had children, and managed one of the most prominent principalities of Kyivan Rus’. Yet at 29, Pankraty firmly resolved to forsake earthly glory, wealth, and princely power for the Kingdom of Heaven, entering the Pechersk Monastery.

On February 17, 1106, he took monastic vows in the monastery named Nicholas (Nikola), exchanging the princely robes for the humble monastic mantle. He left behind all power and wealth behind the monastery walls. Due to his princely background, the monk was called Sviatosha.

With St. Nicholas’ resources, the monastery constructed the Gate Church of the Holy Trinity and, nearby, a church dedicated to St. Nicholas, his heavenly patron. He also funded a large monastery hospital where all the needy could receive care.

Living a life of renunciation, Nikola Sviatosha gave up his monastic cell and resided near the monastery gates. For three years, he guarded the entrance to the monastery, never leaving his post except to pray in the church.

For another three years, he worked in the monastery kitchen, chopping firewood for cooking himself. The prince also cultivated a splendid garden on monastery grounds, which he tended.

After faithfully performing every monastic obedience, the tireless ascetic took a vow of silence, remembering that one cannot avoid sin in much speech. He wore a hair shirt under his clothing, woven from coarse horsehair, to mortify his body through fasting. The only possessions he allowed himself were books, spending all the money he received as a prince on them. After his death, he bequeathed these books to the monastery library.

The extraordinary asceticism of St. Nicholas deeply worried Peter, who had once been his physician. Visiting the monastery, he tearfully urged the saint to abandon such severe practices, saying, “I am amazed at your body, which once enjoyed rich foods yet now endures raw vegetables and dry bread. Beware! Someday, an illness may completely overtake you, and, lacking strength, you may soon lose your life, and then I would be unable to help you.” Shortly after, Peter himself fell gravely ill, but by St. Nicholas’ prayers, he was healed of his deadly affliction. Awestruck by this miracle, Peter entered the monastic life.

Year after year, St. Nicholas Sviatosha faithfully bore his monastic obedience. On October 27, 1143, the prince-monk departed to the Lord after 36 years of ascetic life in the monastery.

Many gathered for his burial, but his brothers wept the most. They lost their mentor and wished to receive at least some small part of his belongings. Then the abbot of the monastery blessed Nicholas’ elder brother, Iziaslav, with his hair shirt. Iziaslav would wear it in battle and remain unharmed.

The incorrupt body of Nikola Sviatosha rests in the Near Caves of the monastery.

Many residents of Kyiv cherish his memory with reverence and gratitude. Today, a district of the capital bears the name Sviatoshyn. Some modern historians believe that the name of this area originated from the name of the Chernihiv prince Nikola Sviatosha, who, according to chronicles, owned lands in Borshchahivka and the area that is now Sviatoshyn district. In gratitude to this protector and prominent figure in Kievan Rus’ history, the district residents erected a monument in his honor.

“O Prince of humility, having left behind your homeland and the glory of your princely reign, you earnestly followed Christ, our venerable father Nicholas. Therefore, you received from Him the eternal kingdom and glory in Heaven, where you rejoice. Remember us, who faithfully honour your memory!”