Theodore Rostislavich, Prince of Smolensk and Yaroslavl, was a Rus' ruler of the Mongol era whose life is recorded as a passage from the upheaval of the Tatar conquest to a peaceful repose in the monastic habit. A great-grandson of Prince Rostislav of Smolensk and Kiev, he was born during the years of the Mongol invasion (traditionally placed c. 1237–1239). His father, Prince Rostislav, died in 1240, and when his elder brothers divided the patrimony Theodore received only the small principality of Mozhaisk. He is commemorated together with his two sons, David and Constantine, on September 19.
In 1260 Theodore married Maria Vasilievna, daughter of Prince Basil of Yaroslavl, and so became Prince of Yaroslavl; the couple had one son, Michael. After Maria's death the boy was raised by his grandmother, Princess Xenia. Theodore distinguished himself in military service — the sources mention an Ossetian campaign in 1277 — and gained the favor of Khan Mengu-Temir of the Golden Horde, at whose court he spent some three years. There he married the khan's daughter, who was baptized with the name Anna; their two sons, David and Constantine, were born at the Horde. The chroniclers present this marriage as an honor that set Theodore apart from an ordinary vassal.
Learning of the death of his son Michael, Theodore returned to Yaroslavl around 1290 and, after some resistance from the citizens who had recognized the authority of Princess Xenia, established himself as prince. He devoted his rule to building and strengthening the city and is associated with the Savior-Transfiguration monastery there. He attempted without success to recover Smolensk in 1297. On September 18, 1299, sensing the approach of death, he received the monastic tonsure, publicly repenting before his people, and died that same night after receiving communion.
His son David succeeded him as Prince of Yaroslavl and died in 1321; his other son, Constantine, had died earlier. On March 5, 1463, the relics of Theodore and of both his sons were uncovered together at the Savior-Transfiguration monastery in Yaroslavl, all three having lain in a single grave — an event commemorated separately on that date. The three are venerated together as right-believing princes.
