Hierarch15th century

Arsenius of Tver

died March 2, 1409

Also known as Arsenius Bishop of Tver

Monk of the Kiev Caves monastery who became Bishop of Tver, known for his piety and strict observance of monastic discipline; reposed in 1409.

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Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints Arsenius, Bishop of Tver

Life

Arsenius of Tver was a monk of the Kiev Caves monastery who became Bishop of Tver, remembered for his piety and his strict observance of monastic discipline. Born in Tver, he received monastic tonsure at the Kiev Caves monastery in his youth, where he distinguished himself by his strictness in keeping his monastic vows, his knowledge of the Church typikon, his study of Holy Scripture, and his love for work.

He served as archdeacon under Metropolitan Cyprian of Kiev and administered the Kiev metropolitanate during the Metropolitan's absences. In 1390 he was consecrated Bishop of Tver, where he was known as a man of great prayer and a peacemaker who reduced local discord. He oversaw the building and restoration of several cathedrals, founded the Zheltikov monastery near Tver, and directed the compilation of the 'Arseniev Redaction' of the Kiev Caves Paterikon. He reposed on March 2, 1409, and was buried at the Zheltikov monastery; his relics were found incorrupt in 1483, and the Council of 1547 recognized him as a saint.

Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide

KontakionTone 8

You appeared today as a Russian star revealed by God,
resplendent with miracles, O Hierarch Arsenios.
Therefore, do not cease praying to Christ God for your flock,
and preserve your homeland, and your city,
and the people who with faith glorify the transfer of your revered relics,
bowing down before them with fear and love.
May we all cry out to you with a loud voice:
“Rejoice, godly-wise Hierarch Arsenios, our Father.”

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 1

You were enlightened by divine grace from above, O Hierarch,
and with much patience in this temporal life you performed your ascetical contests.
Therefore, you pour forth the grace of miracles
for all those who come with faith to the revered shrine of your relics, most blessed Arsenios.
Therefore, we cry out to you:
“Glory to Him Who strengthened you.
Glory to Him Who crowned you.
Glory to Him Who, through you, grants healing to all.”

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline6 momentsReadHide

1380–1382Archdeacon under Metropolitan CyprianArsenius served as archdeacon under Metropolitan Cyprian of Kiev and governed the administration of the Kiev metropolitanate during the Metropolitan's absences.
July 3, 1390Council at TverArsenius traveled with Metropolitan Cyprian to Tver, where a council deposed Bishop Euthymius and the Metropolitan appointed Arsenius to the see.
August 15, 1390Consecration as Bishop of TverAfter initially refusing the appointment, Arsenius accepted episcopal consecration, with Saint Stephen, Bishop of Perm, among the consecrating bishops.
March 2, 1409ReposeSaint Arsenius died and was buried in the Zheltikov monastery he had founded near Tver.
1483Discovery of incorrupt relicsArsenius's relics were found incorrupt, and the hieromonk Theodosius composed a Life and Canon in his honor that same year.
1547Church-wide glorificationThe Council of 1547 officially recognized Arsenius as a saint, establishing his commemoration on March 2.

Contributions & Legacy

4 contributionsReadHide

Early Life and Monastic Formation

Arsenius was born in Tver and entered monastic life in his youth at the Kiev Caves monastery, where he received his tonsure and monastic training. According to his vita, he stood out among the brethren for his strictness in keeping his monastic vows, his knowledge of the Church typikon, his study of Holy Scripture, and his love for work.

He served as archdeacon under Metropolitan Cyprian of Kiev. When the Metropolitan was absent, Arsenius governed the administration of the Kiev metropolitanate, a role that reflected the trust placed in him.

Consecration as Bishop of Tver

On July 3, 1390, Arsenius traveled with Metropolitan Cyprian to Tver. A council was convened there to address disputes involving Bishop Euthymius, who was deposed. Metropolitan Cyprian then appointed Arsenius to the vacant see.

Arsenius at first refused the appointment twice, troubled by the turmoil within the city. He accepted episcopal consecration only after he was threatened with suspension. The consecration took place on August 15, 1390, with Saint Stephen, Bishop of Perm, among the consecrating bishops.

Episcopal Ministry and Building Works

As Bishop of Tver, Arsenius was remembered as a man of great prayer and a peacemaker who worked to reduce the local discord that had marked his accession. During his tenure cathedrals were built in honor of the Archangel Michael at Staritsa and Mikulina, and the Savior-Transfiguration cathedral was restored together with its belltower.

He founded the Zheltikov monastery on the river Tmaka near Tver, which included churches honoring Saints Anthony and Theodosius and a stone Dormition cathedral. He also directed the compilation of the 'Arseniev Redaction,' drawn from ancient manuscripts of the Kiev Caves Paterikon.

Relics and Glorification

Saint Arsenius reposed on March 2, 1409, and was buried at the Zheltikov monastery he had founded. His relics were found incorrupt in 1483, and in that same year the hieromonk Theodosius composed a Life and a Canon in his honor.

The Council of 1547 officially recognized Arsenius as a saint, establishing his commemoration church-wide on March 2.

Related Saints3 saintsShowHide

Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

His metropolitan, under whom Arsenius served as archdeacon and administered the Kiev metropolitanate; Cyprian brought him to Tver and appointed him to the see in 1390.

Saint CyprianMetropolitan of Moscow and All Russia

Among the bishops who consecrated Arsenius to the see of Tver on August 15, 1390.

Saint StephenBishop of Perm

Founder of Savvatieva Pustyn near Tver, which Arsenius blessed as bishop of the diocese.

Sabbatiusof Tver

Browse similar saints by calling and place.

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints