Theodosius of Totma was a sixteenth-century Russian monastic, the founder of the Savior-Sumorin (Spaso-Sumorin) Monastery at Totma in the Vologda region of northern Russia. Born about 1530 at Vologda and raised in Christian piety, he married at the insistence of his parents but, according to his life, remained devoted to prayer, especially at night. After the deaths of his parents and his wife he withdrew to monastic life, eventually establishing the community for which he is remembered. He reposed in 1568 and is commemorated on January 28.
Having entered the Priluki (Savior-Priluki) Monastery near Vologda, Theodosius took up the humblest tasks of the community, carrying water, chopping wood, milling flour, and baking bread. He was sent by the igumen to Totma to seek out a salt-works for the monastery, and there he obtained the permission of Tsar Ivan Vasilevich and the blessing of Archbishop Nicander to found a monastery of his own. The new foundation received a grant of tax-exemption in 1554.
Theodosius came to direct more than one community, including the Totma Ephraimov wilderness monastery, while continuing a life of strict asceticism. His life records that he wore chains and a hairshirt beneath his monastic cowl and an iron cap concealed beneath it. He was devoted to spiritual reading and gathered many books, including works of the Church Fathers, for his monastery's library. After his repose miracles were reported at his grave.
