Russian saints...The list of saints of God is inexhaustible. By their way of life they pleased the Lord and thanks to this they became closer to eternal existence. Each saint has his own face. This term denotes the category to which the Pleasant of God is classified during his canonization. These include the great martyrs, martyrs, saints, saints, unmercenaries, apostles, saints, passion-bearers, holy fools (blessed), saints and equal to the apostles.
Suffering in the name of the Lord
The first saints of the Russian Church among the saints of God are the great martyrs who suffered for the faith of Christ, dying in severe and long agony. Among the Russian saints, the first to be numbered in this rank were the brothers Boris and Gleb. That is why they are called the first martyrs - passion-bearers. In addition, the Russian saints Boris and Gleb were the first to be canonized in the history of Rus'. The brothers died in the battle for the throne that began after the death of Prince Vladimir. Yaropolk, nicknamed the Accursed, first killed Boris while he was sleeping in a tent while on one of his campaigns, and then Gleb.
The face of those like the Lord
Reverends are those saints who led through prayer, labor and fasting. Among the Russian saints of God one can single out St. Seraphim of Sarov and Sergius of Radonezh, Savva of Storozhevsky and Methodius of Peshnoshsky. The first saint in Rus' to be canonized in this guise is considered to be the monk Nikolai Svyatosha. Before accepting the rank of monasticism, he was a prince, the great-grandson of Yaroslav the Wise. Having renounced worldly goods, the monk labored as a monk in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Nikolai Svyatosha is revered as a miracle worker. It is believed that his hair shirt (a coarse woolen shirt), left behind after his death, cured one sick prince.
Sergius of Radonezh - the chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit
The 14th century Russian saint Sergius of Radonezh, known in the world as Bartholomew, deserves special attention. He was born into the pious family of Mary and Cyril. It is believed that while still in the womb, Sergius showed his chosenness of God. During one of the Sunday liturgies, the not yet born Bartholomew cried out three times. At that time, his mother, like the rest of the parishioners, was overcome with horror and confusion. After his birth, the monk did not drink breast milk if Mary ate meat that day. On Wednesdays and Fridays, little Bartholomew went hungry and did not take his mother's breast. In addition to Sergius, there were two more brothers in the family - Peter and Stefan. Parents raised their children in Orthodoxy and strictness. All the brothers, except Bartholomew, studied well and knew how to read. And only the youngest in their family had a hard time reading - the letters blurred before his eyes, the boy was lost, not daring to utter a word. Sergius suffered greatly from this and fervently prayed to God in the hope of gaining the ability to read. One day, again ridiculed by his brothers for his illiteracy, he ran into the field and met an old man there. Bartholomew spoke about his sadness and asked the monk to pray to God for him. The elder gave the boy a piece of prosphora, promising that the Lord would definitely grant him a letter. In gratitude for this, Sergius invited the monk into the house. Before eating, the elder asked the boy to read the psalms. Timidly, Bartholomew took the book, afraid to even look at the letters that always blurred before his eyes... But a miracle! - the boy began to read as if he had already learned to read and write for a long time. The elder predicted to the parents that their youngest son would be great, since he was the chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit. After such a fateful meeting, Bartholomew began to strictly fast and pray constantly.
The beginning of the monastic path
At the age of 20, the Russian saint Sergius of Radonezh asked his parents to give him a blessing to take monastic vows. Kirill and Maria begged their son to stay with them until their death. Not daring to disobey, Bartholomew until the Lord took their souls. Having buried his father and mother, the young man, together with his older brother Stefan, set off to take monastic vows. In the desert called Makovets, the brothers are building the Trinity Church. Stefan cannot stand the harsh ascetic lifestyle that his brother adhered to and goes to another monastery. At the same time, Bartholomew took monastic vows and became the monk Sergius.
Trinity-Sergius Lavra
The world-famous monastery of Radonezh once originated in a deep forest in which the monk once secluded himself. Sergius was in the house every day. He ate plant foods, and his guests were wild animals. But one day several monks found out about the great feat of asceticism performed by Sergius and decided to come to the monastery. There these 12 monks remained. It was they who became the founders of the Lavra, which was soon headed by the monk himself. Prince Dmitry Donskoy came to Sergius for advice, preparing for the battle with the Tatars. After the death of the monk, 30 years later, his relics were found, performing a miracle of healing to this day. This Russian saint still invisibly receives pilgrims to his monastery.
The Righteous and the Blessed
Righteous saints have earned God's favor by living godly lives. These include both lay people and clergy. The parents of Sergius of Radonezh, Cyril and Maria, who were true Christians and taught Orthodoxy to their children, are considered righteous.
The blessed are those saints who deliberately took on the image of people not of this world, becoming ascetics. Among the Russian Pleasers of God, those who lived during the time of Ivan the Terrible, Ksenia of Petersburg, who abandoned all benefits and went on long wanderings after the death of her beloved husband, and Matrona of Moscow, who became famous for the gift of clairvoyance and healing during her lifetime, are especially revered. It is believed that I. Stalin himself, who was not distinguished by religiosity, listened to the blessed Matronushka and her prophetic words.
Ksenia is a holy fool for Christ's sake
The blessed one was born in the first half of the 18th century into a family of pious parents. Having become an adult, she married the singer Alexander Fedorovich and lived with him in joy and happiness. When Ksenia turned 26 years old, her husband died. Unable to bear such grief, she gave away her property, put on her husband’s clothes and went on a long wandering. After this, the blessed one did not respond to her name, asking to be called Andrei Fedorovich. “Ksenia died,” she assured. The saint began to wander the streets of St. Petersburg, occasionally visiting her friends for lunch. Some people mocked the grief-stricken woman and made fun of her, but Ksenia endured all the humiliation without complaint. Only once did she show her anger when local boys threw stones at her. After what they saw, the local residents stopped mocking the blessed one. Ksenia of Petersburg, having no shelter, prayed at night in the field, and then came to the city again. The blessed one quietly helped the workers build a stone church at the Smolensk cemetery. At night, she tirelessly laid bricks in a row, contributing to the speedy construction of the church. For all her good deeds, patience and faith, the Lord gave Ksenia the Blessed the gift of clairvoyance. She predicted the future, and also saved many girls from unsuccessful marriages. Those people to whom Ksenia came became happier and luckier. Therefore, everyone tried to serve the saint and bring her into the house. Ksenia Petersburgskaya died at the age of 71. She was buried at the Smolensk cemetery, where the Church built by her own hands was located nearby. But even after physical death, Ksenia continues to help people. Great miracles were performed at her tomb: the sick were healed, those seeking family happiness were successfully married. It is believed that Ksenia especially patronizes unmarried women and already accomplished wives and mothers. A chapel was built over the tomb of the blessed one, to which crowds of people still come, asking the saint for intercession before God and thirsting for healing.
Holy sovereigns
The faithful include monarchs, princes and kings who have distinguished themselves
a godly lifestyle that strengthens the faith and position of the church. The first Russian saint Olga was canonized in this category. Among the faithful, Prince Dmitry Donskoy, who won a victory on the Kulikovo field after the appearance of the holy image of Nicholas, stood out to him; Alexander Nevsky, who did not compromise with the Catholic Church in order to maintain his power. He was recognized as the only secular Orthodox sovereign. Among the faithful there are other famous Russian saints. Prince Vladimir is one of them. He was canonized in connection with his great activity - the baptism of all Rus' in 988.
Empresses - God's Servants
Princess Anna was also counted among the faithful saints, thanks to whose wife relative peace was observed between the Scandinavian countries and Russia. During her lifetime, she built it in honor because she received this very name at baptism. Blessed Anna revered the Lord and sacredly believed in him. Shortly before her death, she took monastic vows and died. Memorial Day is October 4 according to the Julian style, but in the modern Orthodox calendar this date, unfortunately, is not mentioned.
The first Russian holy princess Olga, baptized Elena, accepted Christianity, influencing its further spread throughout Rus'. Thanks to her activities that contributed to the strengthening of faith in the state, she was canonized.
Servants of the Lord on earth and in heaven
Saints are saints of God who were clergy and received special favor from the Lord for their way of life. One of the first saints ranked among this rank was Dionysius, Archbishop of Rostov. Arriving from Athos, he headed the Spaso-Kamenny Monastery. People were drawn to his monastery, since he knew the human soul and could always guide those in need on the true path.
Among all the canonized saints, Archbishop Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra stands out. And although the saint is not of Russian origin, he truly became the intercessor of our country, always being at the right hand of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Great Russian saints, the list of which continues to grow to this day, can patronize a person if he diligently and sincerely prays to them. You can turn to the Pleasers of God in different situations - everyday needs and illnesses, or simply wanting to thank the Higher Powers for a calm and serene life. Be sure to purchase icons of Russian saints - it is believed that prayer in front of the image is the most effective. It is also advisable that you have a personalized icon - an image of the saint in whose honor you were baptized.
Holiness is a purity of heart that seeks the uncreated divine energy manifested in the gifts of the Holy Spirit as many colored rays in the solar spectrum. Pious ascetics are the link between the earthly world and the heavenly Kingdom. Imbued with the light of divine grace, they, through God-contemplation and God-communication, learn the highest spiritual secrets. In earthly life, saints, performing the feat of self-denial for the sake of the Lord, receive the highest grace of divine Revelation. According to biblical teaching, holiness is the likening of a person to God, who is the only bearer of all-perfect life and its unique source.
The church procedure for canonizing a righteous person is called canonization. She encourages believers to honor a recognized saint in public worship. As a rule, ecclesiastical recognition of piety is preceded by popular glory and veneration, but it was the act of canonization that made it possible to glorify saints by creating icons, writing lives, and compiling prayers and church services. The reason for official canonization can be the feat of a righteous person, the incredible deeds he has performed, his entire life or martyrdom. And after death, a person can be recognized as a saint because of the incorruption of his relics, or miracles of healing occurring at his remains.
In the event that a saint is venerated within one church, city or monastery, they speak of diocesan, local canonization.
The official church also recognizes the existence of unknown saints, the confirmation of whose piety is not yet known to the entire Christian flock. They are called revered departed righteous people and requiem services are served for them, while prayer services are served for canonized saints.
That is why the names of Russian saints, who are revered in one diocese, may differ and be unknown to parishioners of another city.
Who was canonized in Rus'
Long-suffering Rus' gave birth to more than a thousand martyrs and martyrs. All the names of the holy people of the Russian land who were canonized are included in the calendar, or calendar. The right to solemnly canonize the righteous initially belonged to the Kyiv, and later Moscow, metropolitans. The first canonizations were preceded by the exhumation of the remains of the righteous so that they could perform a miracle. In the 11th-16th centuries, the burials of princes Boris and Gleb, Princess Olga, and Theodosius of Pechersk were discovered.
From the second half of the 16th century, under Metropolitan Macarius, the right to canonize saints passed to church councils under the high priest. The unquestioned authority of the Orthodox Church, which had existed in Rus' for 600 years by that time, was confirmed by numerous Russian saints. The list of names of the righteous glorified by the Macarius Councils was replenished with the naming of saints by 39 pious Christians.
Byzantine rules of canonization
In the 17th century, the Russian Orthodox Church succumbed to the influence of the ancient Byzantine rules for canonization. During this period, mainly clergy were canonized because they had church rank. Missionaries carrying the faith and associates in the construction of new churches and monasteries also deserved to be counted. And the need to create miracles has lost its relevance. Thus, 150 righteous people were canonized, mainly from among the monks and high clergy, and the Saints added new names to Russian Orthodox saints.
Weakening church influence
In the 18th and 19th centuries, only the Holy Synod had the right to canonize. This period is characterized by a decrease in the activity of the church and a weakening of its influence on social processes. Before Nicholas II ascended the throne, only four canonizations took place. During the short period of the reign of the Romanovs, seven more Christians were canonized, and the calendar added new names of Russian saints.
By the beginning of the 20th century, generally recognized and locally revered Russian saints were included in the month-speaking books, the list of whose names was supplemented by the list of deceased Orthodox Christians for whom memorial services were performed.
Modern canonizations
The beginning of the modern period in the history of canonizations carried out by the Russian Orthodox Church can be considered the Local Council held in 1917-18, by which the universally revered Russian saints Sophrony of Irkutsk and Joseph of Astrakhan were canonized. Then, in the 1970s, three more clergy were canonized - Herman of Alaska, Archbishop of Japan and Metropolitan Innocent of Moscow and Kolomna.
In the year of the millennium of the baptism of Rus', new canonizations took place, where Xenia of Petersburg, Dmitry Donskoy and other, no less famous, Orthodox Russian saints were recognized as pious.
In 2000, the anniversary Council of Bishops took place, at which Emperor Nicholas II and members of the Romanov royal family were canonized “as passion-bearers.”
First canonization of the Russian Orthodox Church
The names of the first Russian saints, who were canonized by Metropolitan John in the 11th century, became a kind of symbol of the true faith of the newly baptized people, their full acceptance of Orthodox norms. Princes Boris and Gleb, sons of Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich, after canonization became the first heavenly protectors of Russian Christians. Boris and Gleb were killed by their brother in the internecine struggle for the throne of Kyiv in 1015. Knowing about the impending assassination attempt, they accepted death with Christian humility for the sake of autocracy and peace of their people.
The veneration of princes was widespread even before their holiness was recognized by the official church. After canonization, the relics of the brothers were found incorrupt and showed miracles of healing to the ancient Russian people. And the new princes ascending the throne made pilgrimages to the holy relics in search of blessings for a just reign and help in military exploits. The Memorial Day of Saints Boris and Gleb is celebrated on July 24.
Formation of the Russian Holy Brotherhood
Next after princes Boris and Gleb, the Monk Theodosius of Pechersk was canonized. The second solemn canonization carried out by the Russian Church took place in 1108. The Monk Theodosius is considered the father of Russian monasticism and the founder, together with his mentor Anthony, of the Kiev Pechersk Monastery. The teacher and student showed two different paths of monastic obedience: one is severe asceticism, renunciation of everything worldly, the other is humility and creativity for the glory of God.
In the caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, bearing the names of the founders, rest the relics of 118 novices of this monastery, who lived before and after the Tatar-Mongol yoke. They were all canonized in 1643, making up a common service, and in 1762 the names of Russian saints were included in the calendar.
Venerable Abraham of Smolensk
Very little is known about the righteous people of the pre-Mongol period. Abraham of Smolensk, one of the few saints of that time, about whom a detailed biography, compiled by his student, has been preserved. Abraham was revered for a long time in his hometown even before his canonization by the Makarievsky Cathedral in 1549. Having distributed to the needy all his property left after the death of his rich parents, the thirteenth child, the only son begged from the Lord after twelve daughters, Abraham lived in poverty, praying for salvation during the Last Judgment. Having become a monk, he copied church books and painted icons. The Monk Abraham is credited with saving Smolensk from a great drought.
The most famous names of saints of the Russian land
Along with the above-mentioned princes Boris and Gleb, unique symbols of Russian Orthodoxy, there are no less significant names of Russian saints who became intercessors of the entire people through their contribution to the participation of the church in public life.
After liberation from the Mongol-Tatar influence, Russian monasticism saw its goal as the enlightenment of pagan peoples, as well as the construction of new monasteries and temples in the uninhabited northeastern lands. The most prominent figure of this movement was St. Sergius of Radonezh. For godly solitude, he built a cell on Makovets Hill, where the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius was later erected. Gradually, the righteous began to join Sergius, inspired by his teaching, which led to the formation of a monastic monastery, living on the fruits of their hands, and not on the alms of believers. Sergius himself worked in the garden, setting an example for his brothers. The disciples of Sergius of Radonezh built about 40 monasteries throughout Rus'.
St. Sergius of Radonezh carried the idea of godly humility not only to ordinary people, but also to the ruling elite. As a skilled politician, he contributed to the unification of the Russian principalities, convincing the rulers of the need to unite dynasties and disparate lands.
Dmitry Donskoy
Sergius of Radonezh was greatly revered by the Russian prince, canonized, Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy. It was St. Sergius who blessed the army for the Battle of Kulikovo, started by Dmitry Donskoy, and sent two of his novices for God’s support.
Having become a prince in early childhood, Dmitry in state affairs listened to the advice of Metropolitan Alexy, who cared for the unification of the Russian principalities around Moscow. This process did not always go smoothly. Sometimes by force, and sometimes by marriage (to a Suzdal princess), Dmitry Ivanovich annexed the surrounding lands to Moscow, where he built the first Kremlin.
It was Dmitry Donskoy who became the founder of a political movement that aimed to unite the Russian principalities around Moscow to create a powerful state with political (from the khans of the Golden Horde) and ideological (from the Byzantine Church) independence. In 2002, in memory of Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy and St. Sergius of Radonezh, the Order “For Service to the Fatherland” was established, fully emphasizing the depth of influence of these historical figures on the formation of Russian statehood. These Russian holy people cared for the well-being, independence and tranquility of their great people.
Faces (ranks) of Russian saints
All the saints of the Universal Church are summarized into nine faces or ranks: prophets, apostles, saints, great martyrs, holy martyrs, venerable martyrs, confessors, unmercenaries, holy fools and blessed ones.
The Orthodox Church of Russia divides saints into faces differently. Russian holy people, due to historical circumstances, are divided into the following ranks:
Princes. The first righteous people recognized as saints by the Russian Church were princes Boris and Gleb. Their feat consisted of self-sacrifice for the sake of the peace of the Russian people. This behavior became an example for all rulers of the time of Yaroslav the Wise, when the power in whose name the prince made a sacrifice was recognized as true. This rank is divided into Equal-to-the-Apostles (spreaders of Christianity - Princess Olga, her grandson Vladimir, who baptized Rus'), monks (princes who became monks) and passion-bearers (victims of civil strife, assassination attempts, murders for the faith).
Reverends. This is the name given to saints who chose monastic obedience during their lifetime (Theodosius and Anthony of Pechersk, Sergius of Radonezh, Joseph of Volotsky, Seraphim of Sarov).
Saints- righteous people with church rank, who based their ministry on the defense of the purity of faith, the spread of Christian teaching, and the founding of churches (Niphon of Novgorod, Stefan of Perm).
Fools (blessed)- saints who wore the appearance of madness during their lives, rejecting worldly values. A very numerous rank of Russian righteous people, replenished mainly by monks who considered monastic obedience insufficient. They left the monastery, going out in rags onto the streets of cities and enduring all the hardships (St. Basil, St. Isaac the Recluse, Simeon of Palestine, Xenia of Petersburg).
Holy laymen and women. This rank unites murdered babies recognized as saints, laymen who renounced wealth, righteous people who were distinguished by their boundless love for people (Yuliania Lazarevskaya, Artemy Verkolsky).
Lives of Russian saints
The Lives of Saints is a literary work containing historical, biographical and everyday information about a righteous person canonized by the church. Lives are one of the oldest literary genres. Depending on the time and country of writing, these treatises were created in the form of biography, encomium (praise), martyrium (testimony), and patericon. The style of writing lives in the Byzantine, Roman and Western church cultures differed significantly. Back in the 4th century, the Church began to unite saints and their biographies into vaults that looked like a calendar indicating the day of remembrance of the pious.
In Rus', lives appear along with the adoption of Christianity from Byzantium in Bulgarian and Serbian translations, combined into collections for reading by month - monthly books and menaions.
Already in the 11th century, a laudatory biography of princes Boris and Gleb appeared, where the unknown author of the life was Russian. The names of saints are recognized by the church and added to the monthly calendar. In the 12th and 13th centuries, along with the monastic desire to enlighten the northeast of Rus', the number of biographical works also grew. Russian authors wrote the lives of Russian saints for reading during the Divine Liturgy. The names, the list of which was recognized by the church for glorification, now received a historical figure, and holy deeds and miracles were enshrined in a literary monument.
In the 15th century there was a change in the style of writing lives. The authors began to pay the main attention not to factual data, but to skillful mastery of artistic expression, the beauty of literary language, and the ability to select many impressive comparisons. Skillful scribes of that period became known. For example, Epiphanius the Wise, who wrote vivid lives of Russian saints, whose names were most famous among the people - Stephen of Perm and Sergius of Radonezh.
Many hagiographies are considered a source of information about important historical events. From the biography of Alexander Nevsky you can learn about political relations with the Horde. The lives of Boris and Gleb tell of princely civil strife before the unification of Rus'. The creation of a literary and church biographical work largely determined which names of Russian saints, their exploits and virtues, would become best known to a wide circle of believers.
The church calls saints people who have received church veneration for special merits before God, who have become famous for their deeds of Christian love and piety. “The saints are the sons of God, the sons of the Kingdom, joint heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ. Therefore I honor and glorify the saints...” wrote John of Damascus. The veneration of saints dates back to the first centuries of Christianity. It was confirmed and consolidated by the acts of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea in 787: “We call on the saints to mediate between God, so that they pray to Him for us; We call them not as any gods, but as His friends who serve Him, praise Him and worship Him.
We require their help not because they can help us with their own strength; but since through their intercession they ask us for grace from God” 3. The Byzantine iconography of saints was based on powerful layers of spiritual literature, works deep in thought and bright in form, created by the greatest thinkers and writers of the Christian Church. Having adopted the Orthodox faith from Byzantium in the 10th century, Ancient Rus' began to worship its saints, whose host by this time included many ascetics. Among them, in addition to the apostles, disciples and followers of Christ, there were church teachers, monks, martyrs and other righteous people, famous for their virtues and deeds of faith. With the adoption of Christianity by Russia, they extended their protective cover over it.
The Byzantine Saint Nicholas (?–345), bishop of the city of Myra in Lycia, became the most revered saint of the Russian Church. Many legends, tales, and spiritual poems are dedicated to him. In them, he acts as a quick helper in a variety of troubles, a guardian of sailors and travelers. He is “the representative and intercessor of all, the comforter of all the sorrowful, the refuge of all those in trouble, the pillar of piety, the champion of the faithful.” Hopes for help after death were pinned on Saint Nicholas. Saints Basil the Great (329–?) and John Chrysostom (347–?), who became famous for their tireless work in organizing the foundations of life and strengthening the church, developing monasteries and ascetic practice, and fighting heresies, were also widely revered.
Their main writings were known in Russia. The saints were especially revered as the creators of the order of the liturgy - the main divine service of the Christian church. Basil the Great and John Chrysostom almost always represent the face of the holy fathers in the Deesis row of the Russian iconostasis, their images are placed on the Royal Doors. They became high models for the pastors of the Russian Church, their theological writings formed the basis of Russian spiritual life. Almost as beloved as Nikola was the Cappadocian warrior-martyr George, who endured severe torture for the Christian faith and was beheaded under the emperor Diocletian (3rd century). His veneration in Rus' was widespread. In the church calendar, two memorable days are allocated for him: spring, April 23 / May 6, and autumn, November 26 / December 9.
Numerous works of spiritual literature are dedicated to Saint George the Victorious; cities and princes were named after him, and hopes were pinned on him to protect his native land from enemies. One of the events in the life of the saint, associated with his victory over the serpent, became especially famous. In the popular consciousness, the image of Saint George the serpent fighter began to be associated with the ideas of military feat, victory over the forces of evil and, in general, the saving power of the Christian faith. The abbot of the Sinai Monastery, Saint John Climacus (VI century), enjoyed great veneration in Rus'. He received his nickname for his essay “The Ladder of Paradise,” which became a guide for many generations of Russian monasticism. In it, Saint John presented the life of a monk in the image of a staircase leading to heaven, the path which requires constant spiritual and physical stress and self-improvement.
The Byzantine holy martyrs brothers Florus and Laurus, Paraskeva and Anastasia, Kozma and Damian and a long series of other heroes of the faith became the beloved saints of the Russian people, their heavenly patrons and helpers in life and work. The deep experience of their exploits became the spiritual basis from which Russian national holiness was born and developed. Less than a century passed after the Baptism of Rus', and its own righteous people began to appear in the depths of Russian religious life. They went to God in different ways: some - remaining in the world, others - going to monasteries. The beginning of Russian holiness is associated, first of all, with Kiev - the capital city of Rus'. The first Russian saints were Boris and Gleb, the sons of the Kyiv Grand Duke Vladimir, who baptized Rus'. In 1015, they were killed by order of their half-brother Svyatopolk, who saw them as rivals in the struggle for the princely throne after the death of their father.
In 1071, Boris and Gleb were elevated to the rank of saints. The veneration of the martyred brothers quickly spread throughout the Russian land and beyond. In the period preceding the Tatar-Mongol conquest (until the middle of the 13th century), the day of remembrance of the holy princes Boris and Gleb was considered one of the great holidays of the year. They entered the consciousness of the Russian people as an example of self-sacrifice, courage, kindness and brotherly love. They were revered as patrons and defenders of newly baptized Rus', an example of princely holiness. On icons depicting holy princes painted in subsequent centuries, the brothers always appear first among them (icon “Pokrov”, cat. 292, ill. 130, fold of Procopius Chirin, cat. 304, ill. 134 ). In their feats of spiritual fortitude, humility and devotion to God, Boris and Gleb became an example for new generations of Russian princes. Since the 16th century, their images appear as part of the Deesis ranks of temple iconostases, where the brothers appear before the throne of the Lord in prayer for the human race, following the apostles and saints .
Another type of holiness, born in this era, is monastic holiness. Greek-type monasteries began to arise in Kiev immediately after the Baptism of Rus, but they began to be founded most actively after the emergence of the Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Monastery in 1051, which became the standard for followers of later centuries and who showed Russian Orthodoxy high examples of spiritual service and achievement. About fifty bishops emerged from the walls of the monastery, carrying his preaching and rules to different parts of Rus'. Its founders, Saints Anthony and Theodosius, following the ideals of the great Palestinian ascetics of the first centuries of Christianity, embodied the type of monk succinctly characterized by the famous researcher of Russian holiness G. P. Fedotov, who wrote about Saint Theodosius: “The Light of Christ, as it were, shines from the depths of his spirit, measuring the meaning of deeds and virtues by the gospel measure.
That's how the reverend remained. Theodosius in the history of Russian asceticism, as its founder and image: a teacher of spiritual fullness and integrity where it follows, like the foolishness of humility, from the Gospel image of the humiliated Christ" 4. Descendants will compare their names with the names of the founders of monasticism - Anthony the Great (251– 356) and Theodosius the Great (424–529). The legendary Alypius, the first icon painter of pre-Mongol Russia known by name, also came from the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery5. The Life calls him an imitator of the Evangelist Luke, who painted the first icon of the Mother of God. The Kiev-Pechersk Patericon emphasizes the high spiritual virtues of the icon painter. A typical story is about the healing of a leper, whom he cured by smearing his wounds with paints of different colors. After his death, Alypius was canonized. The later version of his Life says that with his miraculous icons he united heaven and earth6. The canonization of a righteous person was not always the same.
Most often, his all-Russian veneration was preceded by local glorification. Thus, Saint Alexander Nevsky began to be venerated in the Vladimir land in the 13th century, and his all-Russian canonization occurred only in the middle of the 16th century. The church celebration of the memory of the holy youth Artemy Verkolsky, who died in 1545, was established around 16197, but the residents of the Arkhangelsk village of Verkola began to venerate him approximately forty years after the death of the boy. There are many similar examples. When church veneration of the saint was established, the day of his memory was established, and his name was entered into the church calendar. A written life was compiled. An icon image was necessarily created. It could be written on the basis of verbal portraits passed down from the memories of contemporaries, or it could reproduce the appearance of the saint revealed during the opening of his relics.
These spiritual portraits were painted according to tradition and principles long established in Byzantine iconography and literature. An example is the icon portrait of St. Cyril of Belozersky, painted shortly after his death (cat. 143, ill. 65). The first icon of a saint often became his gravestone image. Thus, the basis of one of the variants of the iconography of the holy brothers Boris and Gleb was the image placed on their gravestone shrines 8. Here, the type of icons of selected saints, widespread in Byzantine art, was used - standing in a row, frontally, with crosses and their attributes. This tradition is followed by the famous icon of the 14th century - one of the most striking and significant works of ancient Russian icon painting (cat. 7, ill. 1). On it, the martyred brothers appear standing side by side, facing directly towards the person praying.
They are dressed in princely clothes, their hands clutch crosses (symbols of their faith and martyrdom) and swords (instruments of martyrdom and military attributes). In the similarity of poses, gestures and appearance of the brothers - an expression of the commonality of their destinies and the inextricable connection in life and death; in beauty and perfection of appearance - evidence of high spiritual virtues. The figures of the holy princes occupy almost the entire surface of the icon, their elbows are slightly apart, as if closing in a protective gesture. They are “the hope and support of the Russian land, double-edged swords.” From the ancient period of Russian history, which preceded the Tatar-Mongol conquest, the names of many saints who became famous in different lands of Russia have been preserved. Among them are Anthony the Roman and Varlaam of Khutyn, revered in Novgorod, Abraham of Rostov, Stylite Nikita of Pereslavl, saints Prince Vladimir and Princess Olga of Kiev Already in this era, the peculiarities of local veneration of saints took shape.
They manifested themselves especially clearly in Veliky Novgorod. Novgorod, a powerful economic and cultural center, rivaled Kiev in its importance for Orthodox Rus'. The veneration of the rulers of the Novgorod church acquired an important place in his spiritual life. Since 1169, when the city turned into a boyar republic, they began to be called archbishops. The archbishop was elected by lot at the veche and enjoyed high authority among the residents. His personality served as an example of high ascetic feat. The Novgorod rulers maintained direct connections with the spiritual hierarchs of Constantinople and Kiev. A disciple of the Monks Anthony and Theodosius of the Pechersk was the Novgorod bishop Nikita (?–1108), who came from the monks of this monastery. Bishop Nifont (?–1157) also came from the Pechersk monks. The activities of the rulers were deeply connected with the historical life of Novgorod, with the problems and aspirations of its inhabitants.
The rulers were the main conciliators in political disputes, “prayer men”, teachers and guardians of the city. Most of the Novgorod rulers are buried in the Hagia Sophia Cathedral - the cathedral church of Novgorod. Twenty bishops who occupied the Novgorod see from the 12th to the beginning of the 16th century were canonized at various times. Among them is Archbishop John (?–1189), whose image is presented on the lid of his shrine from the burial in the St. Sophia Cathedral (cat. 72, ill. 26). An event from Novgorod history that happened in 1170 was associated with his name - the miraculous salvation of the city from the invasion of Suzdal troops thanks to the help received from the icon of Our Lady of the Sign. This episode was embodied in Novgorod icons with unique iconography (cat. 71, ill. 25). The wave of the Tatar-Mongol invasion of the mid-13th century washed away many cities and monasteries in the southern lands of Rus', bringing despair and desolation.
This era gave birth to heroes of the highest courage among the Russian princes. The heir to Saints Boris and Gleb in spiritual fortitude was the holy Prince Mikhail Vsevolodovich of Chernigov, who voluntarily accepted martyrdom for the Christian faith from the Tatar Khan Batu in 1246. Half a century later he was followed by Prince Mikhail Yaroslavich of Tverskoy, executed in 1318 in the Horde by order of Khan Uzbek. Now the centers of spiritual activity are mainly moving north, to the Rostov-Suzdal land. Many devotees develop monastic practice here, found new monasteries, turning them into centers of spiritual enlightenment and culture. Back in the 11th century, Saints Leonty and Isaiah became famous in Rostov, called the apostles of the Rostov land: they sanctified unfaithful people by faith (as it is written in the troparion to Saint Leonty from the Menaion of 1646).
Both came from the Kiev Pechersk Monastery, they were distinguished by their tireless work in the fight against pagans and the establishment of Orthodoxy, meekness and firmness in the faith. In the 13th century, Bishop Ignatius became their heir. These three saints will be recognized as the holy protectors and patrons of Rostov for all subsequent centuries. In the canon of the Rostov saints, written around 1480, they are likened to the great Christian holy fathers Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian. The coming XIV century went down in history as the century of the heyday of Russian monasticism. During this era of great asceticism, more than forty monasteries were founded, in which people became familiar with God and holiness at the cost of great self-denial, physical effort and feats of faith. Despite the terrible impoverishment and devastation of the lands, according to Father Pavel Florensky, “the deep peacelessness that corrupted Rus',” the preaching of brotherly love, mercy and unity was heard louder and louder.
It is associated primarily with the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Let us give a capacious and vivid description of him given by Father A. Schmemann: “In the image of St. Sergius (1320–1392), Orthodox holiness is resurrected in all its fullness, in all its light. From going into the desert, through physical asceticism, self-crucifixion, humility to the final illumination of the Tabor Light, to “tasting” the Kingdom of Heaven, Rev. Sergius repeats the path of all the great witnesses of Orthodoxy from its first centuries...” Sergius founded a monastery near Moscow in the name of the Holy Trinity, which quickly became the center of spiritual attraction. Princes and peasants came here for consolation and advice, here warring parties were humbled, here they received a blessing from the saint before the Battle of Kulikovo Dmitry Donskoy. Many disciples and followers of Saint Sergius carried his preaching of love, non-covetousness and the experience of “inner work” to the near and far borders of Rus'.
Among them are Nikon of Radonezh, Savva Storozhevsky, Paphnuty Borovsky, the saint of the Vologda land Dimitri Prilutsky, Kirill Belozersky - the most famous saint of the Russian North, the creator of the monastery, which grew, following the Trinity-Sergius, into the largest theological school. The flourishing of monasticism began with Saint Sergius of Radonezh in The 15th century is probably most associated with the names of Saints Zosima and Savvaty, the founders of the Solovetsky Monastery, who turned it into a powerful center and stronghold of Orthodoxy in Pomerania. The places of exploits and resting places of the reverend fathers become centers of pilgrimage. Over time, their burials turned into true treasuries of art, as was the case, for example, in the monastery of St. Alexander of Svir (1448–1533), founded by him in the Olonets region. By the 18th century, an ensemble of works created by the best Moscow masters had formed here.
A remarkable silver gilded shrine with the image of a saint, donated by Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich and made by craftsmen of the Moscow Kremlin Armory (cat. 238, ill. 105), as well as the cover on the silver shrine, embroidered in the room of Queen Evdokia Lukyanovna (cat. 239, ill. 102 ). The custom of covering coffins with the remains of saints is associated with the Orthodox tradition of hiding holy relics until a future resurrection. A portrait image of the saint was placed on the covers. There could be several such covers on the tomb at the same time. The covers with images of saints Anthony of Pechersk (cat. 41, ill. 13), Cyril of Belozersky (cat. 147), Zosima and Savvaty of Solovetsky (cat. 169, 170, ill. 76, 77) are distinguished by their high craftsmanship. The iconography of the saints is widely and varied. Often their images are surrounded by stamps illustrating the events of their lives.
Among the most striking and significant works are two icons of St. Cyril of Belozersky, created by the famous master of the second half of the 15th and early 16th centuries, Dionysius, and icon painters of his school for the Assumption Cathedral of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery (cat. 140, 141, ill. 59, 63). In both icons, his slender figure is like a candle. Saint Joseph of Volotsky said about Cyril: “Like a light shining in the sky in modern times.” The modesty of his appearance recalls a harsh life, devoid of external shine, the main goal of which was high service to God, constant and consistent self-improvement: “The life of the righteous is cruel in this in the world, the work is full, but in the highest there is the most beautiful." The bright face, surrounded by a golden halo, is filled with meekness. On the scroll there are inscriptions calling for maintaining mental and physical purity and unfeigned love, "turning away from evil and nasty deeds..."
In one of the hallmarks of life there is an image of Saint Sergius talking with Saint Cyril. Their conversation is a source of wisdom, an impulse to spiritual achievement, a reminder of continuity in the work of service. “As conversation is created for the creation and correction of souls,” wrote the Monk Nilus of Sora, “differently with the body, but with spiritual love, they are united and united.” Open palms - like opening of souls towards each other. Sometimes the most important events from the life of a saint become the themes of individual icons. This is how, for example, the icons “Vision of St. Sergius” appeared, depicting the appearance of the Mother of God to the monk (cat. 106–108, ill. 51, 52). Since the end of the 16th century, the custom of depicting the monasteries they founded next to ascetics has become widespread. Usually the monastery on the icon is located at the feet of the saint, and the topography and appearance of its buildings are shown quite accurately. Such works are especially common in the 18th and 19th centuries (for example, cat. 188, 193, ill. 84, 88).
These small images, as a rule, were painted in the monasteries themselves or according to their orders. Sometimes, as in the icon of Saints Zosima and Savvaty of Solovetsky, the saints hold their monastery in their hands or humbly offer it to the Lord (cat. 166, ill. 80). Russian ascetics take their place next to the great figures of the entire Orthodox world. They are perceived as the real embodiment of the reasoning of St. Simeon the New Theologian about saints who, following each other from generation to generation, “form, as it were, a golden chain, in which each of them is a link, each is connected with what precedes it in faith, work and love, as if they were the only line to the one God that cannot be broken.” This idea was clearly embodied in icons with selected saints. A typical example of such an icon is “Selected Saints with the Mother of God of the Sign” (cat. 58, ill. 22).
The four saints are depicted standing in a row on a golden background, closely adjacent to one another and facing the worshipers frontally. They are the same height, their silhouettes almost repeat each other, their poses are similar. Their faces are equally stern and detached. This similarity and unity of rhythms is the embodiment of their spiritual unity in faith and firmness. Presented here are Saint John the Merciful, the local saint Varlaam of Khutyn and the holy martyred women Paraskeva and Anastasia. All together they are the reliable and strong defense of Novgorod, its indestructible wall and heavenly shield. And above them is the main shrine of the city, its palladium - Our Lady of the Sign. The Monk Varlaam is placed here among the beloved Christian saints in Rus', especially in Novgorod. He is equal and equal to them and appears before the Lord for the Novgorodians as the patron of this land and at the same time on behalf of all Orthodox saints.
On the icon dating back to 1498 (cat. 283, ill. 125), the saints are placed in two rows. In the lower one - Saint Leonty of Rostov between Saint Anthony the Great and the Prophet Elijah, above them is a row of saints, in which the Novgorod Saints Varlaam of Khutyn and Sergius of Radonezh stand next to Pimen the Great, Theodosius the Great, Euthymius the Great and Onuphrius the Great. National saints are woven into the chain of Byzantine ones and continue it. Since the end of the 15th century, images of Russian saints have been placed in the Deesis ranks of church iconostases, following the martyrs. Most often these are saints Sergius of Radonezh and Kirill Belozersky. In the deesis of the northern lands there are images of Zosima and Savvaty of Solovetsky and Varlaam of Khutyn. Reverends are often represented as standing before Christ or the Mother of God in humble prayers. Often their images are placed on the margins of icons dedicated to Christ or the Mother of God, where they act as holy intercessors for those praying. Typically, such icons are small (Feast day) in size. They were either contributions to a church or monastery, or were created in the monastery itself for parishioners (cat. 135, ill. 57).
Along with monastic and hermit holiness, the spiritual life of Rus' in the 14th–15th centuries also provides an example of another kind of holiness—hierarchical. Church shepherds appear - the organizers of the national church. And the first among them is St. Metropolitan Peter (?–1326). At the age of twelve he became a monk, and in 1308 he was elevated to the rank of metropolitan. His most important merit in this rank was the transfer of the metropolitan see from Vladimir to Moscow, which strengthened the latter’s position among the Russian lands and marked the beginning of its transformation into the spiritual capital of Rus'. Saint Peter predicted the liberation of Moscow from the Tatars and its rise among other Russian lands, therefore he was revered as the patron saint of the city and protector from the attacks of the “filthy”. The name of his follower, the holy Metropolitan of Moscow Alexy (1292 (1304?) – 1378), is even more degree is associated with the idea of the reigning city of Moscow: “approval and praise to the city of Moscow.” The third of the most revered Moscow saints is Saint Jonah (?–1461), who took the metropolitan throne in 1448.
His tireless labors were aimed at strengthening the Russian Church and Orthodoxy. He predicted the ruin of the Great Horde and the imminent liberation of Rus' from the Tatar yoke. All three saints are traditionally depicted in cross-shaped holy robes, omophorions and white hoods. Since the end of the 15th century, the images of Metropolitans Peter and Alexy, as well as the image of Saint Leonty of Rostov, have been placed in the Deesis ranks of iconostasis (cat. 201, 202, ill. 93). Later, after the establishment of a common celebration for all three Moscow metropolitans in 1596, they were often presented together (cat. 219–221, ill. 90, 96, 98). Among the Moscow saints, a special place is occupied by Metropolitan Philip, the shepherd-martyr of the era of Ivan the Terrible, who “suffered most cruelly” for the truth of piety and denunciation of the unrighteous actions of the tsar and the oprichnina (cat. 251). One of his best images is embroidered on a cover created in 1590- e years in the workshop of Tsarina Irina Feodorovna Godunova for the tomb of the saint in the Solovetsky Monastery (cat. 250, ill. 107).
In the middle of the 16th century in Moscow, on the initiative of Tsar Ivan the Terrible and the head of the church, Metropolitan Macarius of Moscow, two church councils were held (1547, 1549) for the canonization of saints of the Russian land. The councils were preceded by a huge amount of work to identify locally revered righteous people who had not yet received all-Russian veneration. Thirty-nine righteous people were added to the ranks of saints. After the all-Russian canonization, decrees were sent out everywhere to celebrate the memory of the “new miracle workers” everywhere. Their images appear on menaion icons and calendar tablets, reproducing their appearance. At the same time, a special type of holiness blossomed - foolishness, less common in previous centuries. Foolish people, servants of Christ, who abandoned all the benefits of worldly life and the norms of behavior accepted in public life, exposed vices and injustice, without fear of anger and persecution from the authorities. They had the gift of consolation and insight.
Blessed mourners for the humiliated and offended deserve deep affection and recognition among the people. The image of the fool in Christ has been known since the first centuries of Christianity and came to Russia from Byzantium. St. Andrew (10th century) gained wide fame and veneration here, with whose name the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God in the Blachernae Church in Constantinople and the miracle of the Intercession were associated. Most holy fools of the 14th and 15th centuries are associated with Novgorod. Among them are Saints Michael of Clops and Procopius, who later went to Veliky Ustyug (cat. 69, 183, ill. 24, 82). In the 16th century, the Moscow holy fool Basil the Blessed (cat. 270) became especially famous, not afraid to reproach Tsar Ivan the Terrible for cruelty. Soon after his death, the Church of the Intercession on Red Square began to be named after him. The 17th century begins with the canonization in 1606 of Tsarevich Dimitri, the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible, who was killed, according to his Life, in Uglich.
His early martyrdom at the hands of villains was reminiscent of the innocent death and spiritual feat of saints Boris and Gleb. Contemporaries perceived Tsarevich Demetrius as the patron of Russian princes, the invincible guardian of the Russian state and a peacemaker from internecine warfare. The Stroganov family treated him with special reverence. His icon was installed in the Stroganov family tomb in Solvychegodsk, and his image was embroidered on shrouds in Stroganov’s chambers. On the beautiful shroud of 1656, made in the workshop of A.I. Stroganova (cat. 277, ill. 121), Tsarevich Dimitri is represented surrounded by the entire church - the saints, headed by Christ and the Mother of God, among whom the holy defenders of Rus' and its shepherds predominate - Metropolitans of Moscow Peter, Alexy, Jonah and Philip, St. Sergius of Radonezh, Kirill of Belozersky, Zosima and Savvaty of Solovetsky, John of Ustyug. Having approached the threshold of the New Age, Rus' could rightfully call itself “saint”, the main custodian of the great Byzantine heritage and the Orthodox faith. Many righteous men of various ranks preserved Rus''s holiness, nourished its spiritual life, and highly raised its importance in the Christian world.
The actions of these people outlived them. Perhaps they did not even suspect how their achievements would affect them in the future. We have made a selection of the most recognizable Russian saints.
Prince Vladimir (960-1015), Equal to the Apostles
His main merit is considered to be the baptism of Rus'. That is why the prince was glorified among the Equal-to-the-Apostles - a considerable honor. By baptizing the country, he thereby introduced it into the circle of great European powers. Having taken Chersonesus and strengthened himself in Crimea, Vladimir threatened the greatest power in the world - Byzantium. And he was baptized by the vanquished. This shaped Russian statehood as such. The adoption of the Byzantine tradition determined all subsequent development of politics, economics, and culture.
Prince Alexander Nevsky (1220-1263), miracle worker
Never lost a single battle. He achieved relief from Rus''s dependence on the Horde. He used the alliance with the Horde to intimidate the Swedes and the knights of the Teutonic Order. But his main merit should be considered something else. In extremely difficult times, he managed to preserve what was left of “Golden Rus'”, creating the basis of a future national state from the fragments and scraps of the territory devastated by the Tatars.
Metropolitan Alexy (1300-1378), saint
In the world - Eleutherius Byakont. The son of a well-born boyar, he had to go to military service. However, in 1320, at the age of 19, he entered a monastery. Subsequently he became a metropolitan. He was the de facto ruler of the Moscow principality under three princes ( Simeon the Proud, John the Red, Dmitry Donskoy). He initiated the construction of the first Moscow stone Kremlin, which gave the city the name Belokamennaya. Through his efforts, Moscow came out on top as the “gatherer of the Russian land.” By and large, Alexy made Moscow the capital of Russia.
Painter Andrei Rublev (1360-1428), reverend
The creator of the national Russian style in painting, one of the pinnacles of world culture. The canon of Andrei Rublev has long been considered mandatory for Russian icon painting. To this day, Russian icons and Russian avant-garde are considered the most valuable and popular on the world art market. For a long time he shaped the sense of the divine in Russian art. The Russian God is not “lightning from West to East,” but a quiet, gentle light, as in Andrei Rublev’s “Trinity.”
Prince Yaroslav the Wise (978-1054), blessed
Under him and with his direct participation, the first set of laws of Russian law, known as “Russian Truth,” was compiled. Yaroslav broke with church dependence on Constantinople and for the first time appointed a Russian metropolitan himself. Founded the first schools at monasteries. He ordered to “create the feast of St. George,” his heavenly patron, throughout Rus', after which this saint became one of the symbols of our country - now he is “registered” in the coat of arms of Moscow, orders of the same name, medals and the Victory Ribbon.
GREAT SAINTS OF THE RUSSIAN LAND
“You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world, so let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in Heaven” (Matthew 5; 13, 14, 16)
The Church honors all the martyrs and other countless Sons of the Kingdom of Heaven, as our intercessors before God and examples of Christian virtues. The saints acted and did everything according to their conscience and according to the law of God, the law of love, they pleased God with their righteous lives, and that is why they inherited Eternal Life...
Sometimes we don't dare turn to God. Our sinfulness seems to us a terrible wall between Him and us. And if the soul is tormented by inconsolable suffering, the feeling of murmuring is close to us, our faith wavers, and we cannot, we do not dare, pray to Him as we pray in moments of tenderness, in hours of calm, conscious faith. And in these hours of doubt, melancholy and grief, we find the good Comforter - the Mother of God, the Great and Merciful Intercessor for the entire Christian race, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and all the saints. Being in Heaven, with God, they pray to God for us, as they once prayed during earthly life, helping us living on Earth. We know that for the sake of their intercession, the Lord God will sooner hear us, no matter from whatever shameful abysses of sin we turn to them.
Saint Archangel Michael
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The celebration of the Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers takes place on November 21. The ranks of angels are divided into three hierarchies, which consist of three ranks. Highest angelic hierarchy: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The closest to the Holy Trinity are the six-winged Seraphim (Flaming, Fiery), they are flaming with love for God and encourage others to it. After the Seraphim, the Lord stands before the many-eyed Cherubim, the embodiment of wisdom and enlightenment; it is through them, shining with the light of knowledge of God and understanding of the mysteries of God, that wisdom and enlightenment are sent down to the righteous living on Earth. |
Behind the Cherubim come the God-bearing Ones, by grace given to them to serve the Thrones; they serve the justice of God.
Middle angelic hierarchy: Dominance, Strength and Authority
The dominions instruct the earthly rulers appointed by God in wise governance, teach them to control their feelings, tame sinful lusts, enslave the flesh to the spirit, and overcome temptations. The powers fulfill the will of God, work miracles and help people in obedience, strengthen them in patience, and bestow spiritual strength and courage. The authorities have the power to tame the power of the devil, ward off demonic temptations from people, confirm ascetics, protect them, and help people in the fight against evil thoughts.
Lower angelic hierarchy: Beginnings, Archangels and Angels.
The principles rule over the lower angels, directing them to fulfill Divine commands. Archangels preach the gospel and reveal the secrets of faith, prophecies of the will of God, strengthen the holy faith in people, enlightening the mind with the light of the Holy Gospel. Angels are closest to people. They proclaim the intentions of God, instruct people to lead a virtuous life, protect believers, keep them from falling, raise the fallen, and are always ready to help if we wish.
All ranks of Heavenly forces bear the general name of Angels - in essence, their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest Angels, and they enlighten the rest.
The Archangels are known from the Holy Scriptures: Michael the Archangel (commander-in-chief) of the Heavenly forces, Gabriel (messenger and fortress of God), Raphael (healer of God) - healer of human ailments, Uriel (light of God) - enlightener of souls, Selafiel (prayer book of God), encouraging to prayer , Jehudiel (glorification of God) - intercessor for rewarding Christians for their exploits, Barachiel (distributor of God's blessing for good deeds, Jeremiel - exaltation of souls to God.
The Bible says how the Lord sent Archangel Raphael to heal the family of Tobit, and when the head of the family began to thank the Archangel, he said: “Now God has sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law... I am Raphael... I came not by my own free will, but by the will of our God; therefore bless Him forever” (Tov. 12. 14 – 18). Every Orthodox Christian, both the patient and the doctor, should prayerfully turn to Archangel Raphael for help. And if this is done with true faith and from a pure heart, the Archangel will help the patient and the doctor, suggest the correct diagnosis, and reveal a way to cure this illness.
Over all nine ranks the Lord placed the holy Archangel Michael, a faithful servant of God, for he cast down from Heaven the proud star with other fallen spirits. And to the rest of the Angelic Powers he exclaimed: “Let's see! Let us become good before our Creator and not think displeasing to God!”. According to church tradition, recorded in the service of Archangel Michael, he took part in many Old Testament events. During the Israelites' exit from Egypt, he led them in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Through him the Power of the Lord appeared, destroying the Egyptians and Pharaoh who were pursuing the Israelites. Archangel Michael protected Israel in all disasters. By his force, 185 thousand soldiers of the Assyrian king Sennacherib were destroyed, in the defeat of the evil leader of Antiochus Iliodor and in protecting the holy youths Ananias, Azariah and Misail from the fire, who were thrown into the oven to be burned for refusing to bow to the idol. By the will of God, the Archangel transported the prophet Habakkuk from Judea to Babylon to give food to Daniel, imprisoned in the den of lions. The Archangel forbade the devil to show the body of the holy prophet Moses to the Jews for deification. Saint Archangel Michael showed his power when he miraculously saved a youth thrown into the sea by robbers with a stone around his neck off the coast of Athos. Archangel Michael forbade the Agarian king Batu to go with his army to Veliky Novgorod. “He went to the Lithuanian cities and came to Kyiv and saw the inscription “Great Michael the Archangel” above the doors of the stone church, pointing to the prince with his finger: “Forbid me to go to Veliky Novgorod.” Representations for Russian cities of the Most Holy Queen of Heaven were always carried out by Her appearances with the Heavenly Host under the leadership of Archangel Michael. Grateful Rus' glorified the Mother of God and Archangel Michael in church hymns. The conqueror of all enemy armies has special power against the devil. We turn to it especially often during times of enemy encroachments and spiritual warfare.
In the days of everyday terrible battle,
In days of persecution and tribulation
We offer our prayers to you
And we ask for your help...
Leader of the Army of Christ!
With you, I don’t care about any opponent.
Christian protector and guardian
You protect with a fiery sword.
Hear us, heavenly glorious inhabitant,
Archangel of the Heavenly Powers,
The formidable conqueror of the enemy and malice -
Archangel of God Michael!
Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra of Lycia, Wonderworker
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Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the most revered saints in Russia. Among the people, Nicholas the Wonderworker was “the second intercessor after God”; almost every Russian home had an icon of St. Nicholas - the guardian of home well-being, healer of the sick and possessed. Saint Nicholas was born into a family of rich and pious parents Theophan and Nonna. The grace of God was manifested in him from birth. As a youth, he spent a lot of time in prayer, often visited the temples of God and lovingly studied the Holy Scriptures. It seemed that he was not a young man, but an old man, who had renounced everything earthly and wholly devoted himself to serving God. Later Nikolai was appointed presbyter. |
In this rank, he visited Jerusalem and on the way, with his prayers, he twice tamed the storm, and also resurrected a sailor who had fallen from the mast and died. By a special inspiration of God, he moved to Myra in Lycia and was soon elected bishop for his holy life. The saint was an example of faith, meekness and mercy, and was endowed by God with the gift of miracles. Of the miracles he performed, the most famous was the deliverance from death of three people who were unjustly convicted. The saint boldly approached the executioner and held the sword, already raised over the unfortunates. Through the prayers of the saint, the city of Myra was saved from hunger. The entire life of the saint represents a continuous series of benefits rendered by him to suffering humanity. And not only during his life, but also after death, he does not cease to do good to everyone who turns to him with prayers. Being a faithful servant of the Lord, he fulfilled one of the most important commandments about mercy towards one’s neighbor, setting an example for us to follow. He distributed the rich inheritance left by his parents to the poor and needy. Once he saved two girls whom their father planned to send along a dissolute path so that his daughters could earn a living. Saint Nicholas approached their house at night and threw a bag of gold out the window. The father, seeing the gold in the morning, thanked God for the mercy shown. Thus, the saint saved the family from spiritual fall. The doors of his house were open to everyone, he received everyone with love and cordiality, being a father to orphans, a nourisher to the poor, a comforter to those who weep, and an intercessor to the oppressed. Saint Nicholas died at a ripe old age in 342. The relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker were placed after his death in Myra (then part of the Greek Empire, now a village in Turkey) and were soon glorified by the grace-filled outflow of the healing world, which provided healing from mental and physical illnesses, driving away unclean spirits, which the saint defeated during his lifetime. Saint Nicholas, in a night vision, inspired one presbyter in the city of Bar in southern Italy to transfer his relics to this city. In the Church of John the Baptist V X II V. A temple was built in Bar in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. A particle of the relics of St. Nicholas is kept in the St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Epiphany in St. Petersburg.
People turn to the saint in all mental and physical infirmities, for healing from demonic possession, in all everyday sorrows and material needs, for a successful marriage, for help when traveling.
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Saint Father Nicholas, How we love to praise you! And in our prayers we remember, And we always feel with ourselves! You are fast, fast and rich Come to our aid! Like a sweet and winged angel You solve the problem yourself right away! When you are sick, weak in soul, You're lying on a painful bed, As soon as you ask, he is with you. He has free entry everywhere. You hear us here and there everywhere, So the Lord created everything. You love us and breathe with us, You have enough strength for everyone! |
You are the owner of the temple of God. We see your wonderful image, When someone remembers you a little, You stand before us like family! We see your strength everywhere, You pray with us and live with us. Always friendly and sweet, You won't go anywhere with you! We know you as a miracle worker, It's easy to destroy enemies with you! And in our prayers we remember, Where are you, it’s easy to decide your fate! With you the enemy will not touch us, With you he is always defeated. He who prays will always achieve He who honors you will be saved! |
Great Martyr George the Victorious
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The Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious, originally from Cappadocia (Asia Minor), grew up in a deeply religious Christian family and was raised in strict piety. Having enlisted in the Roman army, Saint George, handsome, courageous and brave in battle, was noticed by the emperor Diocletian and accepted into his army with the rank of comit - one of the senior military leaders. Became a member of the royal retinue. The emperor, a pagan, in the last years of his reign especially intensified the persecution of Christians, giving all rulers complete freedom to deal with Christians. |
But George, still in childhood, having lost his father, who accepted martyrdom for confessing Christ, distributed his inheritance to the poor, freed his slaves and appeared in the Senate, professing himself a Christian and openly opposed the imperial plan. Stunned by the daring speech of the valiant warrior, the emperor, who loved and exalted George, tried to persuade him not to destroy his youth, glory and honor, but to make a sacrifice to the pagan gods, according to the customs of the Romans. Saint George was adamant in his faith, then, by order of the angry Emperor George, they took him to prison, beat his feet with stocks and pressed his chest with a heavy stone. The next day, during interrogation, Saint George answered the emperor: “It is more likely that you will become exhausted, tormenting me, than I, tormented by you.” Then Diocletian ordered George to be subjected to the most sophisticated torture. The Great Martyr was tied to a wheel, under which were placed boards with iron points. As the wheel rotated, sharp blades cut the saint’s body; at first the sufferer loudly called on the Lord, but soon fell silent. Having decided that George was already dead, they removed him from the wheel, but he was alive and unharmed. In bewilderment, the pagans decided that a miracle had actually happened. Many then believed in the Life-Giving God of Christians and began to openly confess Christ, for which they were beheaded with the sword. Then, the embittered Diocletian threw Saint George into a ditch with quicklime; three days later he was dug up, but found joyful and unharmed. They beat him until he bled with ox sinews, but the courageous sufferer, strengthened by the power of God, remained adamant. He was given poison to drink, but it had no effect on the one who was saving himself by the invocation of Christ and His power. Diocletian asked George what the works of Christ were, to which the saint replied: “To enlighten the blind, to cleanse lepers, to give walking to the lame, to give hearing to the deaf, to cast out demons, to raise the dead.” Then Diocletian ordered him to resurrect the dead man in front of everyone. Saint George cried out to the Lord and the tomb opened, the dead man came to life and came out of it. Seeing with their own eyes the manifestation of the almighty power of Christ, the people wept and glorified the True God. The sorcerer Athanasius, falling at the feet of Saint George, confessed Christ and asked forgiveness for sins committed in ignorance. However, blinded by rage, Diocletian ordered the death of Athanasius and the resurrected man, and again imprisoned George. People burdened with illnesses began to enter the prison and received holy healing; many glorified the Christian God, for which they were beheaded by order of the emperor. Calmly and courageously, the holy Great Martyr George bowed his head under the sword on April 23, 303, he was not even 30 years old. When Syria was conquered by the Muslims, a Saracen entered the temple of the Great Martyr George the Victorious, who, having laughed at the priest, shot at the icon of the saint with a bow. But the arrow turned around and pierced the warrior’s hand. The wound became so painful that no medicine helped, then the Saracen turned to a Christian priest for help. He anointed the wound with oil from the lamp burning in front of the icon of the Great Martyr George, and the Saracen soon received healing. After this, the Saracen, believing in Christ, accepted holy Baptism, for which he was martyred by his military commanders. Of the many miracles performed by the Holy Great Martyr George, the most famous is depicted in iconography. In the saint’s homeland, in the lake there lived a huge snake, which, coming out of the lake, devoured people. When his victim almost turned out to be one believing girl, the Great Martyr George unexpectedly appeared on horseback with a spear in his hand, and, making the sign of the cross, with the words “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” he pierced the serpent’s throat with a spear and trampled it horse More than 25 thousand people were baptized then and a church was built in that place in the name of the Most Holy Theotokos and Victorious George. From that time on, St. George's churches were built everywhere, through prayers to him, miracles and healings began to occur, which the Great Martyr George shows to believers to this day. Saint George the Victorious - a horseman slaying a serpent - became the coat of arms of Moscow and the emblem of the Russian state. Thus, the Lord granted the Holy Great Martyr George an incorruptible eternal crown.
People turn to the saint for healing from all mental and physical weaknesses, for healing from demonic possession. The celebration takes place: May 6 - the day of repose to the Lord in 303.
Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon
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The great martyr and healer Panteleimon (in the world Panteleon) was born in the city of Nicomedia into the family of a noble pagan; his mother was a Christian and wanted to raise her son in the Christian faith, but died when Panteleion, the future great martyr, was still a young boy. The father sent his son to study at a pagan school, after graduating from which he began to study the art of medicine from the famous doctor. One day, the priest of the Nicomedia Church, Ermolai, told the young man about the Christian faith, that the pagan medical art is of little importance, but by believing in the True and Almighty God, the Lord Jesus Christ, one can drive away all sorts of illnesses by just invoking His Holy Name. |
The young man began to visit the priest every day. Once Panteleon saw a dead child on the street, bitten by an echidna that was nearby. Panteleon began to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for the resurrection of the deceased and the killing of the poisonous reptile, firmly deciding that if his prayer was fulfilled, he would become a follower of Christ and accept Baptism. Immediately the child came to life, and the echidna died. Panteleon was baptized by Saint Hermolai. When Panteleon, in the presence of his father, healed a blind man in the name of Jesus Christ, the father believed and was baptized together with the blind man who received his sight. After the death of his father, Panteleon dedicated his life to the suffering, sick, poor and poor. He was also kind in disposition, handsome in face, pleasant to talk to, which is why he was kind to everyone and was revered by everyone as a kind of miracle. He treated free of charge everyone who turned to him in the name of Jesus Christ. He visited prisoners in prison, especially Christians, and treated them for their wounds. Soon the rumor about the gracious doctor spread throughout the city. Leaving other doctors, the residents began to turn only to Saint Panteleon. Out of envy, the doctors reported to the emperor that Saint Panteleon was treating Christian prisoners. Maximian persuaded the saint to refute the denunciation and sacrifice to idols, but Saint Panteleon confessed himself to be a Christian and, in front of the emperor’s eyes, healed the paralytic in the Name of Jesus Christ. The fierce Maximian executed the healed man who had glorified Christ, and gave Saint Panteleon over to the most severe torment. The Lord appeared to the saint and strengthened him before suffering. The great martyr was hanged on a tree and torn with iron claws, burned with candles, which were extinguished at the prayer of the saint, stretched on a wheel, thrown into boiling tin, and thrown into the sea with a stone around his neck. In all the tortures, the great martyr remained unharmed and boldly denounced the emperor, by whose command Panteleon was thrown to be torn to pieces by wild animals in the circus. But the animals licked his feet and pushed each other away, trying to touch him. The spectators rose from their seats and began shouting: “Great is the Christian God!” The enraged Maximian ordered the soldiers to cut down with a sword everyone who glorified the Name of Christ, and to cut off the head of the Great Martyr Panteleon. The saint was tied to an olive tree, he prayed, and the sword with which one of the soldiers hit the saint became soft like wax and did not cause any wound. A Voice was heard calling the passion-bearer by name and summoning him to the Kingdom of Heaven. Hearing the Voice from Heaven, the soldiers fell to their knees before the holy martyr and asked for forgiveness and intercession before God. Panteleon not only forgave them himself, but began to ask for mercy from Christ God, then a Voice was heard, confirming the fulfillment of the request, and announcing that now the saint would be called not Panteleon, but Panteleimon, which means the All-Merciful, giving him the grace to have mercy on everyone flowing to him in troubles and sorrows. The executioners refused to continue the execution, but the Great Martyr Panteleimon ordered that the emperor’s order be carried out, by fulfilling which they would become participants in martyrdom, for this was the will of God. The soldiers said goodbye to the saint with tears, kissing him. When the martyr's head was cut off, milk flowed from the wound. The olive tree to which the saint was tied became covered with fruit at the moment of death. Many of those present at the execution believed in Christ. The body of the saint, thrown into the fire, remained undamaged in the fire and was buried by Christians (305). Many stories have been written about the life, suffering and death of the holy great martyr. The Lord did not leave to glorify the holy great martyr even after death, granting him the power of miracles in healing various diseases and first aid to all who, in difficult circumstances of life, resort to him with faith and reverent zeal.
The holy relics of the Great Martyr Panteleimon were dispersed in pieces throughout the Christian world: his venerable head is now located on Mount Athos in the Russian Athos Monastery of St. Panteleimon. The name of the holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon is invoked when performing the sacrament of the Blessing of Unction (Unction), the consecration of water, and in prayer for the weak.
They pray to the saint in all mental and physical weaknesses.
The Saint's Memorial Day, August 9, is the day of the saint's martyrdom; in the Russian monastery on Mount Athos it is a temple holiday and 8 days before the holiday the celebration begins, when prayer canons to the saint are sung every day after Vespers.
holy martyr tryphon
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The Holy Martyr Tryphon was born and lived in Asia Minor, in the village of Kampsada, in a family of righteous, pious parents. From a young age, he managed to acquire the exceptional grace of the Holy Spirit and was awarded many spiritual gifts from God - healing the sick from various diseases, casting out demons. Once the inhabitants of his native village were saved by him from hunger; Saint Tryphon, by the power of his prayer, forced away the harmful insects that were destroying grain crops and devastating the fields. Tryphon became especially famous for expelling a demon from the daughter of the Roman Emperor Gordian, when, at the behest of Saint Tryphon, the demon appeared to people in the guise of a terrible dog. |
Helping all those suffering, he demanded only one payment - faith in Jesus Christ, by whose grace he healed them. When Emperor Decius, a cruel persecutor of Christians, ascended the royal throne, it was reported to Eparch Aquilinus that Tryphon was boldly preaching faith in Christ and leading many to Baptism. The saint was captured and brought in for interrogation, during which he fearlessly confessed his Christian faith. He was subjected to cruel torture: they beat him with sticks, tormented his body with iron hooks, burned his wounds with fire, and drove him around the city with iron nails driven into his legs. Saint Tryphon bravely endured all the tortures. Finally, he was convicted and beheaded with a sword. Before his execution, the holy martyr prayed, thanking God, who strengthened him in his suffering, and asked the Lord for special grace for those who would call on his holy name for help. Before the soldiers raised their sword over the head of the holy martyr, he surrendered his soul into the hands of God. This event took place in the city of Nicaea in 250. Christians wanted to bury the holy body of the martyr in Nicaea, but Saint Tryphon in a vision ordered his body to be transferred to his homeland, to Kampsada, which was done. Subsequently, the relics of Saint Tryphon were transferred to Rome.
Once, while hunting with Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible, due to the mistake of the falconer, boyar Trifon Patrikeev, his favorite falcon flew away; The king ordered to find the falcon within three days at all costs, otherwise, threatening the death penalty. The falconer traveled throughout the forest, but the search led to nothing. Exhausted and tired, on the third day he stopped near Marina Grove, fervently prayed to the holy martyr Tryphon, whom he considered his patron, and fell asleep under a tree. And Tryphon Patrikeev sees a dream: a magnificent young man appeared before him on a white horse, holding a royal falcon in his hand. The falconer woke up - the royal falcon was sitting next to him, which he took to Ivan the Terrible, and told him everything. The former anger of the sovereign was replaced by the royal mercy, and the pious boyar Trifon Patrikeev, grateful to God and the saint of God for saving his life, immediately built first a chapel in the place where he found the falcon, and then nearby, with the assistance of the sovereign himself, a stone church in the name of saint
They ask the saint for healing from all mental and physical infirmities, for healing from demonic possession, for protection from harmful insects, and to detect lost items.
The celebration of the holy martyr takes place: February 14 is the day of the saint’s martyrdom.
Holy Equal to the Apostles Mary Magdalene
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Tradition tells us that Mary was young, beautiful and led a sinful life. The Lord Jesus Christ cast out seven demons from her. From the moment of healing, Mary began a new righteous life and became a disciple of the Savior. As the Gospel narrates, Mary, together with the apostles, walked through the cities and villages of Judea and Galilee preaching. Mary Magdalene was on Calvary at the time of the Lord's crucifixion along with the Mother of God and the Apostle John. She was present at the burial of the Lord. On Sunday at sunrise, she was the first to come to the tomb of the Savior in order, together with the Mother of God, according to the custom of the Jews, to anoint His body with funeral aromas. |
She saw the stone near the cave rolled away and the coffin empty. She stood by the cave and cried - and then she saw the Risen Jesus, but at first she did not recognize Him and asked if He had seen the Lord? Then the scales fell from her eyes and she recognized Jesus, and threw herself at the feet of her Teacher to wash them with tears of joy, but the Lord told her not to touch Him, but to go to the apostles and say that “I ascend to My Father and To your Father and to My God and your God.” Mary, filled with joy, ran to the apostles and announced to them, “The Lord is risen!”, “I saw the Lord!” This was the world's first sermon on the Resurrection. Sacred Tradition tells that when the apostles dispersed from Jerusalem to preach to all corners of the world, Mary Magdalene also went. A brave woman, whose heart was full of memories of the Risen Lord, for whom she had deep respect, gratitude and love, left her native land and went to preach in pagan Rome. I traveled all over Italy. When people did not believe in the Resurrection, she repeated: “I saw the Lord.” She also appeared to Emperor Tiberius (14 - 37) and preached to him about the Risen Christ and gave him a red egg with the words “Christ is risen!” Since then, the custom of giving each other Easter eggs on the day of the Holy Resurrection of Christ has spread among Christians all over the world. From Rome, Mary Magdalene, already in old age, moved to Ephesus, where the holy Apostle John worked tirelessly, who, from her words, wrote the 20th chapter of his Gospel. There the saint ended her earthly life and was buried. Her holy relics were transferred to the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople, in the 9th century and placed in the monastery church in the name of the holy risen Lazarus, and during the era of the Crusades they were transferred to Rome and placed under the altar of the Lateran Cathedral. Some of Mary’s relics are located in France near Marseille, where a magnificent temple was erected above them in honor of her. The Orthodox Church sacredly honors the memory of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene - a woman called by the Lord Himself from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Once mired in sin, she, having received healing, sincerely and irrevocably began a new, pure life and never wavered on this path. Mary loved the Lord, who called her to life. She was next to the Lord not only when he, surrounded by enthusiastic people, walked through the cities and villages of Palestine, but also on Golgotha, when all the disciples left Him out of fear. That is why the Lord, knowing her faithfulness, was the first to appear to her, rising from the grave, and it was she who was vouchsafed to be the first preacher of His Resurrection.
The saint is asked for spiritual enlightenment, for healing from demonic possession.
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*** There is solemn silence in the garden Even the singing of birds did not disturb... Maria hurriedly went to look Into one of the dark stone tombs. “He was lying here cold, lifeless, The eyes are dim and the lips are silent... But why is His tomb empty? The stone has been rolled away... The body of Christ is gone!” "Maria!" - Suddenly she heard And the scales fell from her eyes, The Risen Jesus was in front of her! |
Mary hurries to Jerusalem, Brings good news to the apostles, That the Teacher lives, the Son of God is eternal! That He has risen! Truly risen! The way she loved the Lord, No one in the world has ever loved. That's why joy was given to her, That Christ revealed Himself to her first. What kind of happiness will you enjoy? When, having changed everything in your destiny, Among the dead vanity of life The Risen Christ will appear to you... |
Great Martyr Cyprian and Martyr Justina
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In the 3rd century, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Decius, the pagan sage, famous philosopher and sorcerer Cyprian lived in Antioch. Coming from a wicked family, as a child he was initiated by his parents to learn sorcery and demonic wisdom from sorcerers. He appeased the prince of darkness himself with sacrifices, gave him all of himself into power, and he gave him a regiment of demons to serve and promised to make him a prince upon his departure from the body. He learned all the devil's tricks: he comprehended demonic transformations, he could even incarnate in the body of birds and fly over the city, he learned to disturb sea waves, induce winds, harm gardens and fields, cause bloodshed and parricide, sowed enmity between brothers and spouses, ruined human souls . |
Many turned to him in their needs, and he helped them with demonic power. One day a young man named Aglaid, the son of rich and noble parents, turned to him. One day he saw the girl Justina and was struck by her beauty, and from then on he began to seek her favor and love, but she deeply believed in Christ God and answered him with a refusal: “My groom is Christ; I serve Him and for His sake I keep my purity.” . He literally pursued Justina, spoke flattering speeches to her, asked her to become his wife, but she avoided him. Then Aglaid turned to the sorcerer Cyprian, who promised that soon Justina herself would begin to seek communication with him. Calling on unclean spirits for help, Cyprian sent them three times to seduce Justina. They inspired her with evil thoughts, kindled carnal passion in her, tempted her with flattering and crafty speeches, but Justina defeated them with fasting, prayer and the sign of the cross, and, disgraced and frightened by the cross of the Lord, they fled in shame. Cyprian was then indignant and began to take revenge on Justina for his shame. He sent pestilence and plagues to the house of Justina and to the whole city, just as the devil once did to the righteous Job. She prayed earnestly, and the demonic obsession stopped.
Then Cyprian asked the demons why they do not have power over Justina? One answered: “She protects herself with a sign that burns us like fire, which we fear.” Cyprian, seeing how the demons admitted their powerlessness before the power of the Cross, received his sight and said to the devil: “Now I have recognized your weakness, if you are afraid even of the shadow of the cross, then how will you be afraid when the One who is crucified on the cross appears to you?” The devil attacked Cyprian to tear him apart, but he made the sign of the cross, calling on Christ, and remained unharmed. He deeply repented, renounced the works of the devil, burned his witchcraft books and confessed to the local bishop Anfim. Cyprian shed many tears on his knees, repenting, calling on the true God to cleanse his iniquities. Seeing Cyprian's zeal and devotion to the faith of Christ, the bishop performed holy baptism on him in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Cyprian completely changed his life; seven days after baptism he was made a reader, twenty days later a subdeacon, thirty days a deacon, and a year later he was ordained a priest. He was soon made a bishop and in this rank he led such a holy life that he became equal to many great saints. Cyprian installed the holy maiden Justina as a diconess, and then entrusted her with a nunnery, making her abbess. With his instructions, Cyprian converted many pagans to God. Idolatry began to cease in that country, and the glory of Christ increased. Seeing the strict life of Saint Cyprian, his concern for the faith of Christ and the salvation of human souls, the devil prompted the pagans to slander him for his faith. It was a time of persecution of Christians and they put Cyprian and Justina in prison, then they ordered the saint to be hanged and his body trimmed, and Justina to be beaten. They were scorched by fire, and, in the end, condemned to beheading with the sword. At their graves many healings took place of those who turned to them in faith. The Lord, who did not want the death of a sinner, in His mercy, sought out Cyprian, showing that there is no sin in the world that can defeat the great love of God!
Saints are asked for healing from demonic possession.
Venerable Sergius of Radonezh
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The great saint of the Russian land, the Venerable Sergius of Radonezh (in the world Bartholomew) was born in 1314 into the family of pious boyars Cyril and Mary, who lived near Moscow, in the village of Radonezh. From early childhood he loved to pray, but he was very sad that he could not read and write. The Lord heard his prayer, and soon he met an old monk, to whom he told about his grief. The elder listened to the boy’s story, prayed for his enlightenment, blessed Sergius and gave him a piece of prosphora with the words: “This is given to you as a sign of God’s grace and understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Do not look that this part is so small, the sweetness will be great when you taste from it,” and he predicted the future spiritual greatness of the youth, a servant of the Most Holy Trinity. |
The parents were greatly surprised when their son began to read psalms in order before the meal. Bartholomew was modest, quiet and silent, he was meek and friendly with everyone, he never got irritated and completely obeyed his parents. After the death of his parents, he and his brother Stefan retired to a deep forest a hundred miles from Radonezh and founded a small church there in the Name of the Holy Trinity. Soon, 12 brethren gathered to the monk, who took monastic vows with the name Sergius, - this was the beginning of the greatest shrine of Orthodoxy, the spiritual center of our Fatherland - the Holy Trinity-Sergius Lavra. It is impossible to imagine how many temptations the young monk endured at this time, but patience and prayer overcame all difficulties and devilish misfortunes. Whole flocks of wolves and bears ran past the cell of St. Sergius, but did not harm him. During his lifetime, Saint Sergius performed miracles and received great revelations from Above. One day the Mother of God appeared to him with the apostles and promised the protection of his monastery. Saint Sergius set an example for the brethren of the strictest abstinence, deepest humility and unshakable trust in God's help. We must remember the case when St. Sergius worked all day hungry to build the entryway of one monk and took payment for them (a basket of moldy crusts) when he finished the work. In an hour of extreme need, through the prayers of the brethren, generous help was unexpectedly given to the monastery. The monastery of St. Sergius became a school of monastic life, a source of tradition in ascetic work. The saint's disciples founded many monasteries in Northwestern Rus'. Saint Sergius himself, with his deepest humility, became known even outside the Russian land. He contributed to the reconciliation of the warring princes; with his blessing, the blessed prince Dmitry Donskoy set out for the Battle of Kulikovo with the Mongol-Tatars in 1380. St. Sergius reposed in the Lord in 1392. 30 years after his death, St. Sergius appeared to one pious man and said: “Tell the abbot and the brethren, why are they leaving me for so long under the cover of the earth in a tomb, where water surrounds my body?” When the coffin of St. Sergius was opened, not only were his holy relics found incorruptible, but the robe itself was intact. Holy relics of St. Sergius is still in the Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra he founded. After finding St. relics, St. Sergius more than once appeared in vision to those who were sick and grieving. He also appeared to Kozma Minin with an order to gather people to defend the Fatherland. And to this day, the Guardian Angel of the Russian land does not cease to provide help to everyone who turns to him with faith.
They ask the saint for healing from all mental and physical weaknesses, for admonition to scripture, teaching, for healing from demonic possession.
The celebration of the saint takes place: July 18 - the day of the discovery of St. relics of the saint and October 8 - the day of his blessed dormition.
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov
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The great saint of the Russian land, the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, is one of the few saints about whom the Most Holy Theotokos said: “This is from our generation.” Moreover, She called him “My beloved.” The saint was born on July 19, 1759 in Kursk, into an ordinary merchant family of the Moshins. The grace of God that rested on the future ascetic surprised his relatives. Having fallen from a high bell tower, the child remained safe and sound. From a serious illness he receives instant healing from the Kursk Icon of the Queen of Heaven. Since childhood, he dreamed of a monastic life and in 1778 he went to the Sarov Hermitage (in the territory of the present Nizhny Novgorod region), |
Where he spent his entire subsequent ascetic life, prayerful works and feats of monastic work, in the Sarov forest, where only wild animals witnessed the extraordinary feats of the blessed elder. Many began and begin this way, but few are worthy of the grace of acquiring the Holy Spirit, the great gifts of God - high spiritual purity, insight and the gift of miracles. Having begun his service as a deacon, for seven years he did not miss a single service, so that his legs began to swell from standing for a long time, for such diligence he was honored during the Liturgy with the sight of the holy Angels and Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself coming through the air surrounded by the Heavenly Powers (ikos 6), then twelve years of seclusion and silence and he no longer spoke anything on his own, only God’s or at the behest of the “Mistress,” as he called the Most Holy Theotokos. The devil sent robbers against the monk, who, demanding money, beat him half to death: “his head was broken, his ribs were broken, his chest was trampled, his body was covered with mortal wounds...”, but the Mother of God appeared and healed him for the third time (ikos 5) , however, St. Seraphim remained bent all his life.
As a spiritual doctor, he healed the souls of many people who came to him with gentle words, instructions, and love and joy that emanated from him. He addressed everyone with tenderness: “My joy!” Many soldiers who received blessings from St. Seraphim testified that through his prayers they remained unharmed on the battlefield. His whole life was filled with the words he himself said to one of the monks of the monastery: “My joy, I pray you, acquire a peaceful spirit, and then thousands of souls will be saved around you.” Being the fourth universal inheritance of the Queen of Heaven, Diveevo, where the monk founded the ditch, has for many years attracted everyone seeking a way of salvation. The Most Pure Virgin herself said the words transmitted through the Monk Seraphim: “Whoever at least once visits Diveyevo (Nizhny Novgorod region) and walks with faith along the ditch with the prayer “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice...” will not lose his reward in Heaven.” Not long before his death, the monk was honored with the appearance of the Mother of God, whom he deeply revered throughout his life. On the day of the Annunciation, the Mother of God appeared to the monk in the hermitage with a witness, the nun Agathia, and said: “Soon, My beloved, you will be with us.” I kissed the Queen of Heaven Herself hand in hand, like a simple priest! The Monk Seraphim peacefully reposed in the Lord on January 2, 1833. And then - miracles, pilgrims, and in 1903 glorification and canonization at the insistence of the Emperor himself, and now the passion-bearer Nicholas (Romanov). Then war, devastation, disappearance of the relics. And, finally, a joyful resurrection, the revival of the monastery and, even more joyfully, the second discovery of the relics in 1991. Nowadays the holy relics of St. Seraphim rest in the Diveyevo monastery of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese, which he founded. Here the Queen of Heaven makes Her procession once a day, as it should be in paradise. And we, sinners, ask Her for mercy through the prayers of St. Seraphim.
They ask the saint for healing from all mental and physical weaknesses, back pain, and healing from demonic possession.
The celebration of the saint is held: January 15 - the day of the saint's death and August 1 - in memory of the discovery of the relics of the saint in 1993.
priest Georgy Kossov
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A true confessor of the faith of Christ, Archpriest Georgy Alekseevich Kossov (April 4, 1855 - September 8, 1928) in the village of Androsovo, Oryol region, was brought up in a family of pious parents and was named in honor of St. George the Victorious - the conqueror of the dark forces. From an early age he loved to visit the temple of God, and then entered the Oryol Theological Seminary. Georgy Kossov was distinguished by spiritual purity, humility and the manifestation of unfeigned love for people. He diligently studied the Holy Scriptures, the works of the Holy Fathers, reverently devoted himself to prayers and the singing of psalms. He felt an irresistible desire to devote himself entirely to serving the Lord. |
In 1884, Georgy was ordained a priest and assigned to serve in the poorest parish in the village of Spas-Chekryak, Bolkhovsky district, in a dilapidated empty church, in which there was severe cold in winter, and the iconostasis was half covered with snow. The hearts of the villagers were then very far from the church and from God. Father George spent more than one sleepless night in thought. And when it became unbearable from hopelessness, he went to Optina Pustyn to Father Ambrose for a blessing to move to another parish, but the elder told him not to despair, but to build a new church in that place, stone, warm, and with wooden floors, “ they will bring the sick... so that they can be warm.” Father George's fears disappeared, and a zealous desire arose to serve in his church. The temptations he endured developed humility in him, the grace of God enlightened his mind, the Lord rewarded Father George with the gift of foresight, and he took upon himself the difficult feat of healing the souls and bodies of all those who suffer, coming with faith. The temple grew for truly popular sacrifices, for the sake of love for the shepherd, for the sake of faith in his prayerful intercession before God. Then, Father George built an orphanage for one hundred and fifty peasant orphans, and helped with funds to the hospital and schools. Father instructed that children are sick for the sins of their parents and called on them to repent of hidden sins and spoke sacred words: “Don’t live with your mind, but live with your heart. Our evil mind will lead us anywhere. Don’t look for benefits in life and don’t dream of an easy and beautiful life - these are all tricks of the crafty enemy. Always remember that all the pleasures and pleasures with which the enemy seduces us are fleeting and destroy the soul. Do not reject eternal life for the sake of momentary prosperity. Do not strive for fame and honors, all this passes without a trace, like smoke. And strive to win God’s favor with your prayers and your deeds. Always remember Him in all your deeds, intentions and actions.”
The ascetic was highly revered by Saint John of Kronstadt, who reprimanded the Oryol pilgrims why they came to him when they had their own gracious Saint Father George. Father George lived on earth for 73 years, and on his deathbed he said: “That’s it, I’ll leave you. Trust in God. And with your troubles, come to my grave as if I were alive. As before, I will pray for you and help you.” They buried St. George near his church. In August 2000, at the anniversary Council of Bishops, Georgy Kossov was canonized to the rank of priest. The Oryol clergy found the relics of the holy confessor Georgy Kossov on December 9, 2000. The holy relics were transferred to the Transfiguration Cathedral in Bolkhov, where they remain to this day.
They ask the saint for healing from all mental and physical weaknesses, for healing from demonic possession.
The memory is celebrated on September 8 - the saint's birthday and December 9 - the day of the discovery of the relics.
Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk
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Saint Tikhon was born in 1724 into a poor family of a sexton. From a young age, Saint Tikhon was hired as a farm laborer to rich people for hard work. As a youth he was enrolled in the Novgorod Seminary, after graduating from which he became its teacher, and then the rector of the Tver Seminary. In 1961 he received the rank of bishop of the Voronezh diocese. Despite his rank, the saint lived in the simplest surroundings: he slept on straw, covering himself with a sheepskin coat. The entire life of this amazing ascetic of holiness is an example of Christian virtue, achieved through harsh labor, and sometimes hardship and sorrow. |
In 1767, due to health reasons, Saint Tikhon retired. The relics of the saint, after a sixty-year stay in a damp place, were found incorrupt. It is known that in the last years of his life in the Zadonsk monastery the saint was often oppressed by feelings of melancholy and unaccountable grief. This was facilitated by both internal (enemy attacks) and external circumstances - oppression from the abbot and brethren. But his unshakable faith, fervent prayer, and humility helped him endure all sorrows and temptations. He said: “You cannot speak a word of joy to those who suffer anything for Christ’s sake...”. As someone who conquered these passions within himself, Saint Tikhon was granted the gift from the Lord to help people overwhelmed by the passions of despair, despondency and sadness. He helped many people recover from demonic possession. Through prayers to Saint Tikhon, miracles are performed even today.
They ask the saint for healing from all mental and physical weaknesses, in despair, despondency, sadness, and for healing from demonic possession.
Venerable Anthony the Great
The Monk Anthony is the greatest ascetic, the founder of desert living and the father of monasticism. He was born into a pious noble family, where he was raised in the rules of the holy faith. When he was about 20 years old, he distributed his estate to the poor and retired to the desert, where he founded a feat unknown to him - a hermitage, and lived in complete solitude. One of the most famous Orthodox prayers, “May God rise again and His enemies be scattered...”, belongs to St. Anthony the Great. His whole life was an example of selfless service to God, and all of Christianity from ancient times gave Anthony the highest praise. St. Anthony is the ideal of monastic achievement, Christian teaching and Christian love. Fighting demons, staying awake at night and not eating food for several days. The demons, trying to intimidate him, took the form of predatory animals and reptiles, and inflicted injuries at night. In the morning the Lord healed him and strengthened him in battle. Rev. Anthony possessed the gift of a special, non-carnal and non-bookish prudence. Monks and laymen, philosophers and rulers came to him in the desert. The monk healed the sick, drove away demons, and knew how to shame arrogant philosophers and give them edification.
From the instructions of Rev. Anthony the Great: “Love work, and soon peace will be sent to you from God. Don't wear clothes that make you vanity. Don’t bend your ears to hear evil about your neighbor. Let your lips always speak the truth. Don’t offer anything to anyone, don’t teach anyone anything that you haven’t put into practice before. Prayer performed with carelessness and laziness is idle talk.”
The Monk Anthony lived to be 105 years old, maintaining physical health and strength. Feeling the approach of death, he ordered himself to be buried in secret and fell asleep with a joyful face with the words: “ Always breathe Christ. Believe him."
They ask the saint for healing from all mental and physical weaknesses, for healing from demonic possession.
The celebration takes place: January 30 – the day of the saint’s death.