Stephen the Great’s holy life and works cannot be separated from Metropolitan Theoctistus I, who led the Church of Moldavia between 1453 and 1478. He anointed him prince, blessed his reign, and stood by him in the Princely Council for 21 years. Without the metropolitan’s advice, prayer, and blessing, the great events in the life of the holy prince and his country could not have happened.

On September 3, 1469, Metropolitan Theoctistus consecrated the Putna Monastery. Saint Stephen had chosen date to be the feast day of Venerable Theoctistus of Palestine, the metropolitan’s patron saint, thus expressing his gratitude to his and the country’s spiritual father.

On November 18, 1478, Metropolitan Theoctistus passed away into the Lord. As a spiritual son who was grateful for the fatherly support received from him, Saint Stephen had him buried at Putna and commissioned a tombstone for him as a last gesture of appreciation.

Placed near the northern wall of the porch, the tombstone bears the following inscription: “The right-believing prince of Moldavia, Io Voivode Stephen , son of Voivode Bogdan, hath embellished this grave for our father, Metropolitan of Suceava, His Eminence Kir Theoktistus, who passed away in year 6986 <1478>, on the 18th of November”.