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The parents of Sergius of Radonezh were the boyars Cyril and Maria, who lived on the territory of the Principality of Rostov. The family was distinguished by piety. Cyril and Maria had three children - Stefan, Bartholomew, Peter. Soon Rostov was ruined, and the family moved to Radonezh, which was under the rule of the Moscow prince.
Bartholomew was not good at science, he was very worried. But the boy tried and prayed earnestly. One day a monk appeared to him. The monk blessed the boy, and from then on he easily mastered all sciences. When Bartholomew's parents grew old, they went to. Soon Kirill and Maria died. Then Bartholomew left the entire bequeathed parental inheritance to Peter, and together with Stephen they decided to take monastic vows.
Bartholomew and Stefan spent a long time preparing for their tonsure. The brothers built a cell in the Radonezh forest, where they fervently prayed. After some time, living in labor, the brothers erected a small wooden Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Stefan found his solitary life a burden. He said goodbye to Bartholomew and went to the Epiphany Monastery.
Bartholomew decided to continue his secluded lifestyle. He overcame his fear of wild animals and lived in labor. Soon his fame spread to all corners. Metropolitan Theognost of Moscow came to the forest to consecrate the temple built by the brothers. Here Bartholomew was tonsured a monk by the Metropolitan. In monasticism, Bartholomew became Sergius. Various miracles were attributed to Sergius. They say that a monk learned to get along with a bear. People said that a large wild beast lay at the feet of Sergius and obeyed him, taking food from the hands of the Saint.
The spreading fame of Sergius of Radonezh brought many of the most different people. Some came here for a short time to seek solitude and peace, some like Sergius of Radonezh. I wanted to spend my whole life in work and prayer. A little time will pass and around the Trinity Cathedral, many houses will appear in which the monks lived.
Sergius of Radonezh was no different from his brothers. He also carried water, chopped wood, cultivated the land, and prayed. Several times there were difficult years and there was not enough food. Then, to the Radonezh forest, the large Moscow monasteries sent whatever they could: millet, rye...
The monastery, built by Sergius of Radonezh, grew. Soon he was offered the rank of abbot. The monk refused, considering himself unworthy. As a result, circumstances nevertheless forced Sergius of Radonezh, after some time, to become abbot of his own monastery.
Years passed. began to regain its former power. In these difficult years for the state, Sergius of Radonezh became an example for everyone. The monk played a big role in the moral development of society; thanks to him, patriotic sentiments reigned among the people. It was Sergius of Radonezh who blessed the prince who came to him before the Battle of Kulikovo. In addition to the blessing, he sent two of his monks, the Russian heroes Peresvet and Osyablya, to the ranks of the Russian army. Dmitry's army defeated the Tatars on the Kulikovo field. Probably a blessing and God's help, played an important role in this great military victory.
Sergius of Radonezh, after, lived another 20 years. His contribution to the further development of the Russian state is enormous. He managed to smooth out the misunderstandings of the princes and reduce fratricidal strife to almost nothing. Sergius of Radonezh developed a charter for monks. The charter was adopted with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexy. According to this charter, almost all monasteries in Russia lived in the future. Before his death, he blessed his disciple Nikon to become abbot of the monastery. On the site of the monastery built by Sergius of Radonezh and his brothers, today there is the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - one of the most fertile places on Russian soil. Sergius of Radonezh is rightfully considered one of the greatest, canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. The Moscow princes and tsars who ruled after Dmitry Donskoy considered Sergius of Radonezh their heavenly patron.
Years in the village of Varnitsy, near Rostov, in the family of pious and noble boyars Kirill and Maria, he received the name Bartholomew at baptism.
From the first days of his life, the baby surprised everyone by fasting; on Wednesdays and Fridays he did not accept mother’s milk; on other days, if Maria ate meat, the baby also refused mother’s milk. Noticing this, Maria completely refused to eat meat.
At the age of seven, Bartholomew was sent to study with his two brothers - the elder Stefan and the younger Peter. His brothers studied successfully, but Bartholomew lagged behind in his studies, although the teacher worked with him a lot. The parents scolded the child, the teacher punished him, and his comrades mocked him for his stupidity. Then Bartholomew with tears prayed to the Lord to grant him book understanding. One day his father sent Bartholomew to fetch horses from the field. On the way, he met an Angel sent by God in a monastic form: an old man stood under an oak tree in the middle of a field and prayed. Bartholomew approached him and, bowing, began to wait for the end of the elder’s prayer. He blessed the boy, kissed him and asked what he wanted. Bartholomew replied: “With all my soul I wish to learn to read and write, Holy Father, pray to God for me, so that He will help me learn to read and write.” The monk fulfilled Bartholomew's request, raised his prayer to God and, blessing the youth, said to him: “From now on, God gives you, my child, to understand literacy, you will surpass your brothers and peers.” At the same time, the elder took out a vessel and gave Bartholomew a piece of prosphora: “Take, child, and eat,” he said. “This is given to you as a sign of God’s grace and for the understanding of Holy Scripture.” The elder wanted to leave, but Bartholomew asked him to visit his parents’ house. The parents greeted the guest with honor and offered refreshments. The elder replied that first one should taste spiritual food, and ordered their son to read the Psalter. Bartholomew began to read harmoniously, and the parents were surprised at the change that had taken place in their son. Saying goodbye, the elder prophetically predicted about St. Sergius: “Your son will be great before God and people. He will become the chosen abode of the Holy Spirit.” From then on, the holy youth easily read and understood the contents of books. With special zeal, he began to delve deeper into prayer, not missing a single service. Already as a child, he imposed a strict fast on himself, did not eat anything on Wednesdays and Fridays, and on other days he ate only bread and water.
For centuries, the relics of St. Sergius rested in the Trinity Lavra, which he founded, being one of the greatest shrines of the Russian Church. Naturally, they were one of the first targets of the anti-church struggle unleashed by the atheists who came to power after the October Revolution in the year. The closing of the Lavra was preceded by the blasphemous opening of the relics of St. Sergius in the year, which was one of the main links in the authorities’ broad campaign to open the holy relics. When the Lavra was closed in the year, the holy relics were placed in a museum. Before this, priest Pavel Florensky and Count Yuri Alexandrovich Olsufiev, with the blessing of Patriarch Tikhon, secretly hid the honest head of the saint from everyone. Only in the year, after the Lavra, along with the holy relics, was returned to the Church, the honest head was reunited with the body.
Prayers
Troparion to Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, Wonderworker of All Russia, tone 4
As an ascetic of virtues, / like a true warrior of Christ God, / you labored in the passion of great men in the temporal life, / in singing, vigils and fasting, you became your disciple; / In the same way, the Most Holy Spirit dwells in you, / By whose action you are brightly adorned. / But as having the boldness to Holy Trinity, / remember the flock that you have gathered, wise, / and do not forget, as you promised, / visiting your children, / Reverend Sergius, our father.
Troparion, tone 8
From your youth you received Christ in your soul, reverend, / and most of all you desired to evade worldly rebellion, / you courageously moved into the desert, / and you raised the children of obedience in it, the fruits of humility. / Thus, having lived in the Trinity, / through your miracles you enlightened everyone who came to you with faith, / and abundantly provided healing to everyone. / Our Father Sergius, pray to Christ God to save our souls.
Troparion, voice of the same
In the purity of your life, you have collected the source of your tears, / confessions, and the sweat of labor, / and you have poured out a spiritual font, O holy Sergius, / washing away the defilement of both your soul and body in the depravity that creates love in your memory. / For these sake, thy children, we cry unto thee: / pray, Father, to the Holy Trinity for our souls.
Troparion for the Finding of Relics, Tone 4
Today the reigning city of Moscow shines brightly, / as if we are illuminated by the lightning dawns, lightning of your miracles, / the whole universe is convening / to praise you, God-wise Sergius, / your most honorable and glorious abode, / even in the name of the Holy Trinity you created your many works, Father, / if your disciples have your flocks within you, / you will be filled with gladness and joy. / We, celebrating the glorious discovery of your honorable relics, in the hidden lands, / like the flower is fragrant and the censer is fragrant, / kindly I kiss, various healings are acceptable / and through your prayers we are honored with forgiveness of sins, / Father Reverend Sergius, / pray to the Holy Trinity to save souls our.
Kontakion, tone 8
Having been wounded by Christ’s love, reverend, / and following that irrevocable desire, / you hated all carnal pleasures, / and like the sun of your Fatherland you shone, / with this Christ enriched you with the gift of miracles. / Remember us, who honor your blessed memory, and we call to you: / Rejoice, Sergius the God-Wise.
In kontakion, voice the same
As an equal to the incorporeal, / you have surpassed all the saints through the labors of fasting and vigils of prayer, the wise Sergius, / thus you received from God to heal ailments and drive away demons / and for this reason we cry out to you: / Rejoice, Father Reverend Sergius.
Kontakion for the Finding of Relics, Tone 8
Today, like the sun, your venerable relics have shone forth from the earth, appearing imperishable, / like a fragrant flower, shining with many miracles, / and exuding various healings to all the faithful, / and cheering your favorite the flock, / which you gathered wisely and shepherded well, / for which you now stand before the Trinity, praying, / and we all cry out to you: / Rejoice, O O God-wise Sergius.
Troparion of St. Sergius and Nikon of Radonezh, tone 8
Like the three-bright sun of the luminous stars, / You illuminate the hearts of the faithful with the Trinity light, / the vessels of the Light of the Most Holy Trinity appeared, / and through your wonderful life as a monk, the establishment of the law was quickly established, / and the splendor of the churches, and the faithful, and the saint, and all people, / for all the demonic filth having driven away from here / with your pure teachings and deeds, / kindly shepherd the flock gathered by you, / but even now we pray to you: visit your children, / as they have boldness towards the Holy Trinity, / the wise God, Sergius with his wonderful disciple Nikon, / and pray to Christ May God save our souls.
Kontakion St. Sergius and Nikon of Radonezh, tone 8
In fasting, having joined the Great Anthony / and Euthymius of Jerusalem, jealous of the labors, / like angels, appearing on earth, / enlightening, reverend, faithful hearts / Divine signs and wonders always, / for this sake we joyfully honor you and cry out to you with love: / Rejoice, reverend Fathers Sergius and Nikon, / the fertilization of the fasting man and the entire Russian land is a great affirmation.
Literature
- Life (large)
- Life (large, divided into separate chapter pages)
Used materials
- Life (according to " reference book clergyman"):
- Complete Troparion, Publishing house "Trinity", 2006, vol. 1, p. 71-73, 81, 82.
- Andronik (Trubachev), Abbot, "The Fate of the Head of St. Sergius", ZhMP, 2001, No. 4, p. 33-53.
Most of us know who Sergius of Radonezh is. His biography is interesting to many people, even those who are far from the church. He founded the Trinity Monastery near Moscow (currently the Trinity-Sergius Lavra), and did a lot for the Russian Church. The saint passionately loved his Fatherland and put a lot of effort into helping his people survive all disasters. We became aware of the life of the monk thanks to the manuscripts of his associates and disciples. The work of Epiphanius the Wise entitled “The Life of Sergius of Radonezh,” written by him at the beginning of the 15th century, is a most valuable source of information about the life of the saint. All other manuscripts that appeared later are, for the most part, processings of his materials.
Place and time of birth
It is not known for certain when and where the future saint was born. His disciple Epiphanius the Wise, in his biography of the saint, speaks of this in a very intricate form. Historians face the difficult problem of interpreting this information. As a result of studying church works of the 19th century and dictionaries, it was established that the birthday of Sergius of Radonezh, most likely, is May 3, 1319. True, some scientists are inclined to other dates. The exact place of birth of the youth Bartholomew (that was the name of the saint in the world) is also unknown. Epiphanius the Wise indicates that the father of the future monk was called Cyril, and his mother was Maria. Before moving to Radonezh, the family lived in the Rostov Principality. It is believed that St. Sergius of Radonezh was born in the village of Varnitsa in the Rostov region. At baptism the boy was given the name Bartholomew. His parents named him in honor of the Apostle Bartholomew.
Childhood and first miracles
There were three sons in the family of Bartholomew's parents. Our hero was the second child. His two brothers, Stefan and Peter, were smart children. They quickly mastered literacy, learned to write and read. But Bartholomew’s studies were never easy. No matter how much his parents scolded him or his teacher tried to reason with him, the boy could not learn to read, and the holy books were inaccessible to his understanding. And then a miracle happened: suddenly Bartholomew, the future Saint Sergius of Radonezh, learned to read and write. His biography is indicative of how faith in the Lord helps to overcome any life difficulties. Epiphanius the Wise spoke about the boy’s miraculous learning to read and write in his “Life.” He says that Bartholomew prayed long and hard, asking God to help him learn to write and read in order to know the Holy Scriptures. And one day, when Father Kirill sent his son to look for grazing horses, Bartholomew saw an old man in a black robe under a tree. The boy, with tears in his eyes, told the saint about his inability to learn and asked him to pray for him. before the Lord.
The elder told him that from this day on the boy would understand reading and writing better than his brothers. Bartholomew invited the saint to his parents' house. Before their visit, they went into the chapel, where the youth read a psalm without hesitation. Then he hurried with his guest to his parents to please them. Cyril and Maria, having learned about the miracle, began to praise the Lord. When they asked the elder what this amazing phenomenon meant, they learned from the guest that their son Bartholomew was marked by God in his mother’s womb. Thus, when Mary came to church shortly before giving birth, the child in her mother’s womb cried out three times as the saints sang the liturgy. This story of Epiphanius the Wise was reflected in the painting by the artist Nesterov “Vision to the Youth Bartholomew.”
First exploits
What else was noted in the childhood of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the stories of Epiphanius the Wise? The saint’s disciple reports that even before the age of 12, Bartholomew observed strict fasts. On Wednesday and Friday he did not eat anything, and on other days he ate only water and bread. At night, the youth often did not sleep, devoting time to prayer. All this became the subject of a dispute between the boy’s parents. Maria was embarrassed by these first exploits of her son.
Relocation to Radonezh
Soon the family of Kirill and Maria became poor. They were forced to move to housing in Radonezh. This happened around 1328-1330. The reason why the family became impoverished is also known. It was a difficult time in Rus', which was under the rule of the Golden Horde. But not only the Tatars then robbed the people of our long-suffering homeland, imposing an unbearable tribute on them and carrying out regular raids on settlements. The Tatar-Mongol khans themselves chose which of the Russian princes would rule in a particular principality. And this was no less a difficult test for the entire people than the invasion of the Golden Horde. After all, such “elections” were accompanied by violence against the population. Sergius of Radonezh himself often spoke about this. His biography - shining example the lawlessness that was happening in Rus' at that time. The Principality of Rostov went to the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan Danilovich. The father of the future saint got ready and moved with his family from Rostov to Radonezh, wanting to protect himself and his loved ones from robbery and want.
Monastic life
It is unknown when the birth of Sergius of Radonezh took place for certain. But we have reached accurate historical information about his childhood and youth life. It is known that, while still a child, he prayed fervently. When he turned 12 years old, he decided to take monastic vows. Kirill and Maria did not object to this. However, they set a condition for their son: he should become a monk only after their death. After all, Bartholomew eventually became the only support and support for the old people. By that time, brothers Peter and Stefan had already started their own families and lived separately from their elderly parents. The youth did not have to wait long: soon Kirill and Maria died. Before their death, according to the custom of that time in Rus', they first took monastic vows and then the schema. After the death of his parents, Bartholomew went to the Khotkovo-Pokrovsky Monastery. There his brother Stefan, who by that time was already a widower, took monastic vows. The brothers were not here for long. Striving for “the strictest monasticism,” they founded a hermitage on the banks of the Konchura River. There, in the middle of the remote Radonezh forest, in 1335 Bartholomew built a small wooden church named in honor of the Holy Trinity. Now in its place stands a cathedral church in the name of the Holy Trinity. Brother Stefan soon moved to the Epiphany Monastery, unable to withstand the ascetic and too harsh lifestyle in the forest. In the new place he will then become abbot.
And Bartholomew, left completely alone, called Abbot Mitrofan and took monastic vows. Now he was known as monk Sergius. At that point in his life he was 23 years old. Soon monks began to flock to Sergius. On the site of the church a monastery was formed, which today is called the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. Father Sergius became the second abbot here (the first was Mitrofan). The abbots showed their students an example of great hard work and humility. Monk Sergius of Radonezh himself never took alms from parishioners and forbade monks to do this, calling on them to live only by the fruits of the labor of their hands. The fame of the monastery and its abbot grew and reached the city of Constantinople. Ecumenical Patriarch Philotheus, with a special embassy, sent St. Sergius a cross, a schema, a paraman and a letter, in which he paid tribute to the abbot for his virtuous life and advised him to introduce the monastery in the monastery. Heeding these recommendations, the Radonezh abbot introduced a community-living charter in his monastery. Later it was adopted in many monasteries in Rus'.
Service to the Fatherland
Sergius of Radonezh did a lot of useful and good things for his homeland. The 700th anniversary of his birth is celebrated this year. D. A. Medvedev, being the President of the Russian Federation, signed a decree on the celebration of this memorable and significant date for all of Russia. Why is such importance attached to the life of the saint at the state level? The main condition for the invincibility and indestructibility of any country is the unity of its people. Father Sergius understood this very well in his time. This is also obvious to our politicians today. The saint’s peacemaking activities are well known. Thus, eyewitnesses claimed that Sergius, with meek, quiet words, could find his way to the heart of any person, influence the most bitter and rude hearts, calling people to peace and obedience. Often the saint had to reconcile warring parties. So, he called on the Russian princes to unite, putting aside all differences, and submit to the power of the Prince of Moscow. This subsequently became the main condition for liberation from Tatar-Mongol yoke. Sergius of Radonezh made a significant contribution to the Russian victory in the Battle of Kulikovo. It is impossible to talk about this briefly. Grand Duke Dmitry, who later received the nickname Donskoy, before the battle came to the saint to pray and ask him for advice whether the Russian army could march against the godless. The Horde Khan Mamai gathered an incredible army to enslave the people of Rus' once and for all.
The people of our Fatherland were gripped by great fear. After all, no one has ever managed to defeat an enemy army. Venerable Sergius to the prince’s question he answered that defending the Motherland is a godly matter, and blessed him for great battle. Possessing the gift of foresight, the holy father predicted Dmitry's victory over the Tatar Khan and his return home safe and sound with the glory of a liberator. Even when the Grand Duke saw the countless enemy army, nothing wavered in him. He was confident of a future victory, which St. Sergius himself blessed him with.
Monasteries of the Saint
The Year of Sergius of Radonezh is celebrated in 2014. Particularly large celebrations on this occasion should be expected in the temples and monasteries founded by him. In addition to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, the saint erected the following monasteries:
Blagoveshchensky in the city of Kirzhach in the Vladimir region;
Vysotsky Monastery in the city of Serpukhov;
Staro-Golutvin near the city of Kolomna in the Moscow region;
St. George's Monastery on the Klyazma River.
In all these monasteries, disciples of Holy Father Sergius became abbots. In turn, followers of his teachings founded more than 40 monasteries.
Miracles
The Life of Sergius of Radonezh, written by his disciple Epiphanius the Wise, tells that in his time the rector of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra performed many miracles. Unusual phenomena accompanied the saint throughout his entire existence. The first of them was associated with his miraculous birth. This is the story of the wise one about how the child in the womb of Mary, the mother of the saint, cried out three times during the liturgy in the temple. And all the people in it heard this. The second miracle is the teaching of the youth Bartholomew to read and write. It was described in detail above. We also know about such a miracle associated with the life of a saint: the resurrection of a youth through the prayers of Father Sergius. Near the monastery lived one righteous man who had strong faith in the saint. His only son, a young boy, was mortally ill. The father brought the child in his arms to the holy monastery to Sergius so that he could pray for his recovery. But the boy died while his parent was presenting his request to the abbot. The inconsolable father went to prepare a coffin to put his son’s body in it. And Saint Sergius began to pray fervently. And a miracle happened: the boy suddenly came to life. When the grief-stricken father found his child alive, he fell at the feet of the monk, offering praise.
And the abbot ordered him to get up from his knees, explaining that there was no miracle here: the boy was simply cold and weak when his father carried him to the monastery, but in the warm cell he warmed up and began to move. But the man could not be convinced. He believed that Saint Sergius showed a miracle. Nowadays there are many skeptics who doubt that the monk performed miracles. Their interpretation depends on the ideological position of the interpreter. It is likely that a person who is far from believing in God will prefer not to focus on such information about the miracles of the saint, finding another, more logical explanation for them. But for many believers, the story of life and all events associated with Sergius has a special, spiritual meaning. For example, many parishioners pray that their children will achieve literacy and successfully pass transfer and entrance exams. After all, the youth Bartholomew, the future Saint Sergius, at first also could not master even the basics of study. And only fervent prayer to God led to a miracle happening when the boy miraculously learned to read and write.
Old age and death of the monk
The life of Sergius of Radonezh shows us an unprecedented feat of service to God and the Fatherland. It is known that he lived to a ripe old age. When he was lying on his deathbed, sensing that he would soon appear at the judgment of God, he called the brethren for the last time for instruction. He called on his disciples, first of all, to “have the fear of God” and bring to people “spiritual purity and unfeigned love.” The abbot died on September 25, 1392. He was buried in Trinity Cathedral.
Veneration of the Reverend
There is no documented data about when and under what circumstances people began to perceive Sergius as a righteous man. Some scientists are inclined to believe that the rector of the Trinity Monastery was canonized in 1449-1450. Then, in the letter of Metropolitan Jonah to Dmitry Shemyaka, the Primate of the Russian Church calls Sergius a venerable one, classifying him among the wonderworkers and saints. But there are other versions of his canonization. The Day of Sergius of Radonezh is celebrated on July 5 (18). This date is mentioned in the works of Pachomius Logothetes. In them he tells that on this day the relics of the great saint were found.
Throughout the history of the Trinity Cathedral, this shrine left its walls only in the event of a serious threat from the outside. Thus, two fires that occurred in 1709 and 1746 caused the removal of the saint’s relics from the monastery. When Russian troops left the capital during the invasion of the French led by Napoleon, the remains of Sergius were taken to the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. In 1919, the atheist-minded government of the USSR issued a decree on the opening of the relics of the saint. After this uncharitable deed was completed, the remains were transferred to the Sergiev Historical and Art Museum as an exhibit. Currently, the relics of the saint are kept in the Trinity Cathedral. There are other dates for the memory of his abbot. September 25 (October 8) is the day of Sergius of Radonezh. This is the date of his death. Sergius is also commemorated on July 6 (19), when all the holy monks of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra are glorified.
Temples in honor of the saint
Since ancient times, Sergius of Radonezh has been considered one of the most revered saints in Rus'. His biography is replete with facts of selfless service to God. Many temples are dedicated to him. In Moscow alone there are 67 of them. Among them are such as the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Bibirevo, the Cathedral of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the Vysokopetrovsky Monastery, the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Krapivniki and others. Many of them were built in the 17th-18th centuries. There are many churches and cathedrals in various regions of our Motherland: Vladimir, Tula, Ryazan, Yaroslavl, Smolensk and so on. There are even monasteries and sanctuaries abroad founded in honor of this saint. Among them are the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the city of Johannesburg in South Africa and the Monastery of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the city of Rumia, in Montenegro.
Images of the Reverend
It is also worth remembering the many icons created in honor of the saint. The oldest image of it is an embroidered cover made in the 15th century. Now it is in the sacristy of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
One of the most famous works Andrei Rublev - “Icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh,” which also contains 17 marks about the life of the saint. Not only icons, but also paintings were written about events related to the abbot of the Trinity Monastery. Among Soviet artists, one can highlight M. V. Nesterov. The following of his works are known: “The Works of Sergius of Radonezh”, “The Youth of Sergius”, “Vision to the Youth Bartholomew”. Sergius of Radonezh. A short biography of him is unlikely to be able to tell about what an extraordinary person he was, how much he did for his Fatherland. Therefore, we dwelled in detail on the biography of the saint, information about which was taken mainly from the works of his disciple Epiphanius the Wise.
According to ancient legend, the estate of the parents of Sergius of Radonezh, the boyars of Rostov, was located in the vicinity of Rostov the Great, on the road to Yaroslavl. The parents, “noble boyars,” apparently lived simply; they were quiet, calm people, with a strong and serious lifestyle.
St. Kirill and Maria. Painting of the Ascension Church on Grodka (Pavlov Posad) Parents of Sergius of Radonezh
Although Cyril more than once accompanied the princes of Rostov to the Horde, as a trusted, close person, he himself did not live richly. One cannot even talk about any luxury or licentiousness of the later landowner. Rather, on the contrary, one might think that home life is closer to that of a peasant: as a boy, Sergius (and then Bartholomew) was sent to the field to fetch horses. This means that he knew how to confuse them and turn them around. And leading him to some stump, grabbing him by the bangs, jumping up and trotting home in triumph. Perhaps he chased them at night too. And, of course, he was not a barchuk.
One can imagine parents as respectable and fair people, religious to a high degree. They helped the poor and willingly welcomed strangers.
On May 3, Maria had a son. The priest gave him the name Bartholomew, after the feast day of this saint. The special shade that distinguishes it lies on the child from early childhood.
At the age of seven, Bartholomew was sent to study literacy in a church school together with his brother Stefan. Stefan studied well. Bartholomew was not good at science. Like Sergius later, little Bartholomew is very stubborn and tries, but there is no success. He's upset. The teacher sometimes punishes him. Comrades laugh and parents reassure. Bartholomew cries alone, but does not move forward.
And here is a village picture, so close and so understandable six hundred years later! The foals wandered somewhere and disappeared. His father sent Bartholomew to look for them; the boy had probably wandered like this more than once, through the fields, in the forest, perhaps near the shores of Lake Rostov, and called to them, patted them with a whip, and dragged their halters. With all Bartholomew’s love for solitude, nature and with all his dreaminess, he, of course, carried out every task most conscientiously - this trait marked his entire life.
Sergius of Radonezh. Miracle
Now he - very depressed by his failures - found not what he was looking for. Under the oak tree I met “an elder of the monk, with the rank of presbyter.” Obviously, the elder understood him.
What do you want, boy?
Bartholomew, through tears, spoke about his sorrows and asked to pray that God would help him overcome the letter.
And under the same oak tree the old man stood to pray. Next to him is Bartholomew - a halter over his shoulder. Having finished, the stranger took out the reliquary from his bosom, took a piece of prosphora, blessed Bartholomew with it and ordered him to eat it.
This is given to you as a sign of grace and for the understanding of the Holy Scriptures. From now on, you will master reading and writing better than your brothers and comrades.
We don’t know what they talked about next. But Bartholomew invited the elder home. His parents received him well, as they usually do with strangers. The elder called the boy to the prayer room and ordered him to read psalms. The child made the excuse of inability. But the visitor himself gave the book, repeating the order.
And they fed the guest, and at dinner they told him about the signs over his son. The elder again confirmed that Bartholomew would now understand the Holy Scripture well and master reading.
[After the death of his parents, Bartholomew himself went to the Khotkovo-Pokrovsky Monastery, where his widowed brother Stefan had already been monasticized. Striving for “the strictest monasticism”, for living in the wilderness, he did not stay here long and, having convinced Stefan, together with him he founded a hermitage on the banks of the Konchura River, on the Makovets hill in the middle of the remote Radonezh forest, where he built (about 1335) a small wooden church in the name of Holy Trinity, on the site of which now stands a cathedral church also in the name of the Holy Trinity.
Unable to withstand the too harsh and ascetic lifestyle, Stefan soon left for the Moscow Epiphany Monastery, where he later became abbot. Bartholomew, left completely alone, called upon a certain abbot Mitrofan and received tonsure from him under the name Sergius, since on that day the memory of the martyrs Sergius and Bacchus was celebrated. He was 23 years old.]
Having performed the rite of tonsure, Mitrofan introduced Sergius of Radonezh to St. Tyne. Sergius spent seven days without leaving his “church”, prayed, did not “eat” anything except the prosphora that Mitrofan gave. And when the time came for Mitrofan to leave, he asked for his blessing for his desert life.
The abbot supported him and calmed him down as much as he could. And the young monk remained alone among his gloomy forests.
Images of animals and vile reptiles appeared before him. They rushed at him with whistling and gnashing of teeth. One night, according to the story of the monk, when in his “church” he was “singing matins,” Satan himself suddenly entered through the wall, with him a whole “regiment of demons.” They drove him away, threatened him, advanced. He prayed. (“May God rise again, and may His enemies be scattered…”) The demons disappeared.
Will he survive in a formidable forest, in a wretched cell? The autumn and winter snowstorms on his Makovitsa must have been terrible! After all, Stefan couldn’t stand it. But Sergius is not like that. He is persistent, patient, and he is “God-loving.”
He lived like this, completely alone, for some time.
Sergius of Radonezh. Tame bear
Sergius once saw a huge bear, weak from hunger, near his cells. And I regretted it. He brought a piece of bread from his cell and served it - since childhood, like his parents, he had been “strangely accepted.” The furry wanderer ate peacefully. Then he began to visit him. Sergius always served. And the bear became tame.
The youth of St. Sergius (Sergius of Radonezh). Nesterov M.V.
But no matter how lonely the monk was at this time, there were rumors about his desert life. And then people began to appear, asking to be taken in and saved together. Sergius dissuaded. He pointed out the difficulty of life and the hardships associated with it. Stefan's example was still alive for him. Still, he gave in. And I accepted several...
Twelve cells were built. They surrounded it with a fence for protection from animals. The cells stood under huge pine and spruce trees. The stumps of freshly cut trees stuck out. Between them the brothers planted their modest vegetable garden. They lived quietly and harshly.
Sergius of Radonezh set an example in everything. He himself chopped down cells, carried logs, carried water in two water carriers up the mountain, ground with hand millstones, baked bread, cooked food, cut and sewed clothes. And he was probably an excellent carpenter now. In summer and winter he wore the same clothes, neither the frost nor the heat bothered him. Physically, despite the meager food, he was very strong, “he had the strength against two people.”
He was the first to attend the services.
Works of St. Sergius (Sergius of Radonezh). Nesterov M.V.
So the years passed. The community lived undeniably under the leadership of Sergius. The monastery grew, became more complex and had to take shape. The brethren wanted Sergius to become abbot. But he refused.
The desire for abbess, he said, is the beginning and root of the lust for power.
But the brethren insisted. Several times the elders “attacked” him, persuaded him, convinced him. Sergius himself founded the hermitage, he himself built the church; who should be the abbot and perform the liturgy?
The insistence almost turned into threats: the brethren declared that if there was no abbot, everyone would disperse. Then Sergius, exercising his usual sense of proportion, yielded, but also relatively.
I wish, - he said, - it is better to study than to teach; It is better to obey than to command; but I am afraid of God's judgment; I don’t know what pleases God; the holy will of the Lord be done!
And he decided not to argue - to transfer the matter to the discretion of the church authorities.
Father, they brought a lot of bread, bless you to accept it. Here, according to your holy prayers, they are at the gate.
Sergius blessed, and several carts loaded with baked bread, fish and various foodstuffs entered the monastery gates. Sergius rejoiced and said:
Well, you hungry ones, feed our breadwinners, invite them to share a common meal with us.
He ordered everyone to hit the beater, go to church, and serve a thanksgiving prayer service. And only after the prayer service he blessed us to sit down for a meal. The bread turned out to be warm and soft, as if it had just come out of the oven.
Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius (Sergius of Radonezh). Lissner E.
The monastery was no longer needed as before. But Sergius was still just as simple - poor, poor and indifferent to benefits, as he remained until his death. Neither power nor various “differences” interested him at all. A quiet voice, quiet movements, a calm face, that of a holy Great Russian carpenter. It contains our rye and cornflowers, birches and mirror-like waters, swallows and crosses and the incomparable fragrance of Russia. Everything is elevated to the utmost lightness and purity.
Many came from afar just to look at the monk. This is the time when the “old man” is heard throughout Russia, when he becomes close to Metropolitan. Alexy, settles disputes, carries out a grandiose mission to spread monasteries.
The monk wanted a stricter order, closer to the early Christian community. Everyone is equal and everyone is equally poor. Nobody has anything. The monastery lives as a community.
The innovation expanded and complicated the activities of Sergius. It was necessary to build new buildings - a refectory, a bakery, storerooms, barns, housekeeping, etc. Previously, his leadership was only spiritual - the monks went to him as a confessor, for confession, for support and guidance.
Everyone capable of work had to work. Private property is strictly prohibited.
To manage the increasingly complex community, Sergius chose assistants and distributed responsibilities among them. The first person after the abbot was considered the cellarer. This position was first established in Russian monasteries by St. Theodosius of Pechersk. The cellarer was in charge of the treasury, deanery and household management - not only inside the monastery. When the estates appeared, he was in charge of their life. Rules and court cases.
Already under Sergius, apparently, there was its own arable farming - there are arable fields around the monastery, partly they are cultivated by monks, partly by hired peasants, partly by those who want to work for the monastery. So the cellarer has a lot of worries.
One of the first cellarers of the Lavra was St. Nikon, later abbot.
The most experienced in spiritual life was appointed as confessor. He is the confessor of the brethren. , founder of the monastery near Zvenigorod, was one of the first confessors. Later this position was given to Epiphanius, the biographer of Sergius.
The ecclesiarch kept order in the church. Lesser positions: para-ecclesiarch - kept the church clean, canonarch - led “choir obedience” and kept the liturgical books.
This is how they lived and worked in the monastery of Sergius, now famous, with roads built to it, where they could stop and stay for a while - whether for ordinary people or for the prince.
Two metropolitans, both remarkable, fill the century: Peter and Alexy. Hegumen of the army Peter, a Volynian by birth, was the first Russian metropolitan to be based in the north - first in Vladimir, then in Moscow. Peter was the first to bless Moscow. In fact, he gave his whole life for her. It is he who goes to the Horde, obtains a letter of protection from Uzbek for the clergy, and constantly helps the Prince.
Metropolitan Alexy is from the high-ranking, ancient boyars of the city of Chernigov. His fathers and grandfathers shared with the prince the work of governing and defending the state. On the icons they are depicted side by side: Peter, Alexy, in white hoods, faces darkened by time, narrow and long, gray beards... Two tireless creators and workers, two “intercessors” and “patrons” of Moscow.
Etc. Sergius was still a boy under Peter; he lived with Alexy for many years in harmony and friendship. But St. Sergius was a hermit and a “man of prayer”, a lover of the forest, silence - his life path other. Should he, since childhood, having moved away from the malice of this world, live at court, in Moscow, rule, sometimes lead intrigues, appoint, dismiss, threaten! Metropolitan Alexy often comes to his Lavra - perhaps to relax with a quiet man - from struggle, unrest and politics.
The Monk Sergius came into life when the Tatar system was already breaking down. The times of Batu, the ruins of Vladimir, Kyiv, the Battle of the City - everything is far away. Two processes are underway, the Horde is disintegrating, the youth is growing stronger Russian state. The Horde is splitting up, Rus' is uniting. The Horde has several rivals vying for power. They cut each other, are deposited, leave, weakening the strength of the whole. In Russia, on the contrary, there is an ascension.
Meanwhile, Mamai rose to prominence in the Horde and became khan. He gathered the entire Volga Horde, hired the Khivans, Yases and Burtases, came to an agreement with the Genoese, the Lithuanian prince Jagiello - in the summer he founded his camp at the mouth of the Voronezh River. Jagiello was waiting.
This is a dangerous time for Dimitri.
Until now, Sergius was a quiet hermit, a carpenter, a modest abbot and educator, a saint. Now he faced a difficult task: blessings on the blood. Would Christ bless a war, even a national one?
St. Sergius of Radonezh blesses D. Donskoy. Kivshenko A.D.
Rus' has gathered
On August 18, Dimitri with Prince Vladimir of Serpukhov, princes of other regions and governors arrived at the Lavra. It was probably both solemn and deeply serious: Rus' really came together. Moscow, Vladimir, Suzdal, Serpukhov, Rostov, Nizhny Novgorod, Belozersk, Murom, Pskov with Andrei Olgerdovich - this is the first time such forces have been deployed. It was not in vain that we set off. Everyone understood this.
The prayer service began. During the service, messengers arrived - the war was going on in the Lavra - they reported on the movement of the enemy, and warned them to hurry up. Sergius begged Dimitri to stay for the meal. Here he told him:
The time has not yet come for you to wear the crown of victory with eternal sleep; but many, countless of your collaborators are woven with martyr’s wreaths.
After the meal, the monk blessed the prince and his entire retinue, sprinkled St. water.
Go, don't be afraid. God will help you.
And, leaning down, he whispered in his ear: “You will win.”
There is something majestic, with a tragic connotation, in the fact that Sergius gave two monks-schema monks as assistants to Prince Sergius: Peresvet and Oslyabya. They were warriors in the world and went against the Tatars without helmets or armor - in the image of a schema, with white crosses on monastic clothes. Obviously, this gave Demetrius’s army a sacred crusader appearance.
On the 20th, Dmitry was already in Kolomna. On the 26th-27th, the Russians crossed the Oka and advanced towards the Don through Ryazan land. It was reached on September 6th. And they hesitated. Should we wait for the Tatars or cross over?
The older, experienced governors suggested: we should wait here. Mamai is strong, and Lithuania and Prince Oleg Ryazansky are with him. Dimitri, contrary to advice, crossed the Don. The way back was cut off, which means everything is forward, victory or death.
Sergius was also in the highest spirit these days. And in time he sent a letter after the prince: “Go, sir, go forward, God and the Holy Trinity will help!”
According to legend, Peresvet, who had long been ready for death, jumped out at the call of the Tatar hero, and, having grappled with Chelubey, struck him, he himself fell. A general battle began, on a gigantic front of ten miles at that time. Sergius correctly said: “Many are woven with martyr’s wreaths.” There were a lot of them intertwined.
During these hours the monk prayed with the brethren in his church. He talked about the progress of the battle. He named the fallen and read funeral prayers. And at the end he said: “We won.”
Venerable Sergius of Radonezh. Demise
Sergius of Radonezh came to his Makovitsa as a modest and unknown young man Bartholomew, and left as a most illustrious old man. Before the monk, there was a forest on Makovitsa, a spring nearby, and bears lived in the wilds next door. And when he died, the place stood out sharply from the forests and from Russia. On Makovitsa there was a monastery - the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of the four laurels of our homeland. The forests cleared up around, fields appeared, rye, oats, villages. Even under Sergius, a remote hillock in the forests of Radonezh became a bright attraction for thousands. Sergius of Radonezh founded not only his monastery and did not operate from it alone. Countless are the monasteries that arose with his blessing, founded by his disciples - and imbued with his spirit.
So, the young man Bartholomew, having retired to the forests of “Makovitsa,” turned out to be the creator of a monastery, then monasteries, then monasticism in general in a huge country.
Having left no writings behind him, Sergius seems to teach nothing. But he teaches precisely with his whole appearance: to some he is consolation and refreshment, to others - a silent reproach. Silently, Sergius teaches the simplest things: truth, integrity, masculinity, work, reverence and faith.
Sergius of Radonezh; Venerable Sergius, abbot of Radonezh, wonderworker of all Russia (in the world Bartholomew). Born May 3, 1314 or May 1322 - died September 25, 1392. Monk of the Russian Church, founder of the Trinity Monastery near Moscow (now the Trinity-Sergius Lavra), transformer of monasticism in Northern Rus'. He is revered by the Russian Orthodox Church as a saint and is considered the greatest ascetic of the Russian land.
Memorial Days:
September 25 (October 8) - repose (death);
July 5 (18) - discovery of relics;
July 6 (19) - Cathedral of Radonezh Saints.
The main primary source of information about St. Sergius is “the life written by his disciple Epiphanius the Wise,” which is one of the “peaks of Russian hagiography” and “is the most valuable source of information about the life of Muscovite Rus' in the 14th century.” One of the features of this primary source is the absence of direct indications of the year of birth of the future saint, another is its abundance of miracles.
« Reverend Father our Sergius was born from noble and faithful parents: from a father whose name was Cyril, and a mother named Maria", - reports Epiphanius the Wise.
Epiphanius’ narrative does not indicate the exact place of the saint’s birth; it only says that before the resettlement from the Rostov principality, the saint’s family lived “in a village in the region that is located within the Rostov Principality, not very close to the city of Rostov”. It is generally accepted that we are talking about the village of Varnitsy near Rostov. The future saint received the name Bartholomew at baptism in honor of the Apostle Bartholomew.
The first biography of the future saint, Epiphanius the Wise, indicated the year of his birth, using a characteristic intricate formulation: “I also want to say about the time and year when the monk was born: during the reign of the pious, glorious and powerful Tsar Andronik, the Greek autocrat, who reigned in Constantinople, under the Archbishop of Constantinople Callistus, the Ecumenical Patriarch; He was born in the Russian land, during the reign of the Grand Duke of Tver Dmitry Mikhailovich, under Archbishop Peter, Metropolitan of All Rus', when the army of Akhmyl came".
As a result, researchers are faced with the difficult problem of interpreting these data, and the date of the reverend's birth, as opposed to his place of birth, is the subject of considerable controversy. In the literature there are several different dates for his birth. In particular, V. E. Rudakov in the Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron indicates: “Neither in the life of Sergius nor in other sources is there an exact indication of the year of birth of the saint, and historians, for various reasons, fluctuate between 1313, 1314, 1318, 1319 and 1322. The most probable date seems to be 1314.”.
The date May 3, 1319 appeared in the writings of church historians of the 19th century. Modern options His life gives May 3, 1314 as his birthday. Modern secular researchers, as noted by K. A. Averyanov, are also not unanimous on the issue of the date of birth of Sergius of Radonezh: “According to N.S. Borisov, this event occurred on May 3, 1314, according to V. A. Kuchkin - on May 3, 1322, and in the opinion of B. M. Kloss - at the end of May of the same 1322.”.
Considering this problem, K. A. Averyanov comes to the conclusion that “the future saint was born on May 1, 1322.”
Cyril and Maria, the saint’s parents, had three sons: “the first Stefan, the second this Bartholomew, the third Peter...” At his due date (although it is not indicated by Epiphanius, some modern biographies speak of the age of seven) young Bartholomew was sent to learn to read and write, but his studies didn't progress: “Stephen and Peter quickly learned to read and write, but Bartholomew did not quickly learn to read, but somehow slowly and not diligently”.
The teacher’s efforts did not bear fruit: “The boy did not listen to him and could not learn”. Bartholomew was scolded by his parents, the teacher punished him, his comrades reproached him, but he “prayed to God with tears.”
The encyclopedic dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron describes Bartholomew's training as follows: “At first, his learning to read and write went very unsuccessfully, but then, thanks to patience and work, he managed to familiarize himself with Holy Scripture and became addicted to the church and monastic life".
As Epiphanius reports, even before reaching the age of twelve, Bartholomew “began to fast strictly and abstained from everything, on Wednesday and Friday he ate nothing, and on other days he ate bread and water; at night he often stayed awake and prayed,” which was the source of some disagreements between the son and the mother, who was worried about such exploits of her son.
After some time, Bartholomew's greatly impoverished family was forced to move to the city of Radonezh. Epiphanius indicates in his life how the saint’s father lost his wealth: “Let’s also talk about how and why he became impoverished: because of frequent trips with the prince to the Horde, because of frequent Tatar raids on Rus', because of frequent Tatar embassies, because of many heavy tributes and fees from the Horde, because for the frequent shortage of bread".
But the worst disaster was “the great invasion of the Tatars, led by Fedorchuk Turalyk, and after it the violence continued for a year, because the great reign went to the great prince Ivan Danilovich, and the reign of Rostov also went to Moscow.” It was not easy for “the city of Rostov, and especially the princes of Rostov, since their power was taken away, and the principality, and property, and honor, and glory, and everything else went to Moscow.” The appointment and arrival of the Moscow governor Vasily in Rostov was accompanied by violence and numerous abuses by Muscovites. This prompted Cyril to move: “he gathered with his whole house, and went with all his relatives, and moved from Rostov to Radonezh.”
It remains to add that historians (for example, Averyanov) do not question the reliability of this story.
Various opinions were expressed about when the resettlement took place: either around 1328, or around 1330 (according to the “Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron”). According to Averyanov, the resettlement occurred much later, in 1341.
Even during the life of his parents, the desire to devote himself to monastic life arose and strengthened in Bartholomew’s soul; Having reached the age of twenty, he decided to become a monk. The parents did not object, but asked to wait for their death: “brothers Stefan and Peter lived separately with their families, and Bartholomew was the only support of their parents in the years of painful old age and poverty.” He did not wait long: two or three years later he buried his father and mother, who, following the then widespread custom in Rus' of accepting monasticism in old age, shortly before his death, also took first monastic tonsure, and then the schema in the Khotkovo-Pokrovsky Monastery, which was located three miles from Radonezh and at that time was both male and female.
After the death of his parents, Bartholomew himself went to the Khotkovo-Pokrovsky Monastery, where his widowed brother Stefan had already been monasticized. Striving for “the strictest monasticism”, for living in the wilderness, he did not stay here long and, having convinced Stefan, together with him he founded a hermitage on the banks of the Konchura River, on the Makovets hill in the middle of the remote Radonezh forest, where he built (about 1335) a small wooden church in the name of Holy Trinity, on the site of which now stands a cathedral church also in the name of the Holy Trinity. Unable to withstand the too harsh and ascetic lifestyle, Stefan soon left for the Moscow Epiphany Monastery, where he later became abbot. Bartholomew, left completely alone, called upon a certain abbot Mitrofan and received tonsure from him under the name of Sergius, since on that day the memory of the martyrs Sergius and Bacchus was celebrated. He was 23 years old.
The year 1342 is considered the date of formation of the monastery (later the Trinity-Sergius Lavra); Sergius was its second abbot (the first was Mitrofan) and presbyter (since 1354). Having forbidden begging, Sergius made it a rule that all monks should live from their labor, himself setting an example for them in this.
From the beginning of the 1370s, the position of the monastery changed: around 1374, the widow of Ivan Kalita, Princess Ulyana, whose inheritance included the monastery, died, and Radonezh went to Prince Vladimir Andreevich, becoming his “patrimony”. From that time on, Prince Vladimir often visited the monastery and organized its supply with everything necessary (previously, monks often had to go hungry).
To the period 1364-1376, researchers attribute the introduction of a hostel in the monastery - instead of the monastery charter (private residence). This reform is associated with the message of the Ecumenical Patriarch Philotheus, who also sent the abbot a cross, a paraman and a schema. The implementation of the communal reform met with active opposition: part of the brethren had the thought “as if they did not want Sergius’ eldership”; Sergius’s elder brother Stefan, a supporter of singular living, presented his rights: “And who is the abbot in this place? Was it not I who sat before in this place?” (words spoken, according to the Life, by Stephen). As a result of the conflict, Sergius temporarily left the monastery and founded a small monastery on the Kirzhach River (now the Annunciation Monastery).
In addition to the Trinity Monastery and the Annunciation Monastery on Kirzhach, the Monk Sergius founded several more monasteries: Staro-Golutvin near Kolomna, Vysotsky Monastery, St. George's Monastery on Klyazma, in all of these monasteries he appointed his disciples as abbots.
The disciples and spiritual children of St. Sergius founded (both during his life and after his death) up to forty monasteries; from these, in turn, came the founders of about fifty more monasteries.
Metropolitan Alexei, who highly respected the Radonezh abbot, before his death, persuaded him to be his successor, but Sergius resolutely refused.
After the death of Saint Alexy, Sergius proposed that Grand Duke Dmitry elect Suzdal Bishop Dionysius to the metropolitan see. But Dmitry wanted to have his confessor of Spassky Archimandrite Mikhail (Mitya) as metropolitan. By order of Prince Mikhail, a council of bishops in Moscow elected him Metropolitan of Moscow. Saint Dionysius boldly opposed the Grand Duke, pointing out to him that the installation of a high priest without the will of the Ecumenical Patriarch would be illegal. Mityai was forced to go to Constantinople. Dionysius wanted to get ahead of Mityai and go to Constantinople himself, but was detained and taken into custody by the Grand Duke. Wanting to free himself, Dionysius promised not to go to Constantinople and presented the sanction of the Monk Sergius for himself. But as soon as he received his freedom, at the call of the patriarch, he hurried to Greece following Mityai. By his actions he caused a lot of trouble for Sergius.
According to one contemporary, Sergius “with quiet and meek words” could act on the most hardened and hardened hearts; very often he reconciled princes warring among themselves, persuading them to obey the Grand Duke of Moscow (for example, the Rostov prince in 1356, the Nizhny Novgorod prince in 1365, Oleg of Ryazan, etc.), thanks to which by the time of the Battle of Kulikovo almost all Russian princes recognized the supremacy of Dmitry Ioannovich.
As the first biography of St. Sergius reports, the battle with Mamai was preceded by a meeting between Prince Dimitri and St. Sergius: “It became known that by God’s remission for our sins, the Horde prince Mamai had gathered a great force, the entire horde of godless Tatars, and was going to the Russian land; and all the people were seized with great fear". Grand Duke Dimitri, later known as Dmitry Donskoy, “came to Saint Sergius, because he had great faith in the elder, and asked him if the saint would order him to speak out against the godless: after all, he knew that Sergius was a virtuous man and had the gift of prophecy.” . The Monk Sergius, according to Epiphanius, replied: “You should, sir, take care of the glorious Christian flock entrusted to you by God. Go against the godless, and if God helps you, you will win and return unharmed to your fatherland with great honor.”
Having received a blessing from St. Sergius, Grand Duke“left the monastery and quickly hit the road.” Let us note the fact that Sergius, according to Epiphanius, with his answer (contrary to popular belief) did not predict an unconditional victory and salvation from death for the Grand Duke, since this answer contained the words “if God helps you” and for this reason was not a prophecy. Only later, when the Russian soldiers, who set out on a campaign, saw the “Tatar very numerous” army and “stopped in doubt,” “thinking about what to do,” suddenly “a messenger appeared with a message from the saint,” which said: “Without any doubts, sir, boldly oppose their ferocity, without being at all afraid - God will definitely help you.”
The above-mentioned battle with Mamai is traditionally identified with the Battle of Kulikovo (among other sources, this is stated in the dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron). There is also a version (which was expressed by V.A. Kuchkin), according to which the story of “The Life of Sergius of Radonezh” about Sergius of Radonezh’s blessing of Dmitry Donskoy to fight Mamai does not refer to the Battle of Kulikovo, but to the battle on the Vozha River (1378) and is associated with The Battle of Kulikovo as a larger-scale event later, in later texts (“The Tale of Mamaev's massacre»).
According to the “Tale of the Massacre of Mamaev,” Sergius sent two monks of the princely family, who were well-versed in weapons, Peresvet and Oslyabya, to battle. After the Battle of Kulikovo, the Grand Duke began to treat the Radonezh abbot with even greater reverence and invited him to seal the spiritual testament, legitimizing the new order of succession to the throne from father to eldest son.
In 1382, when Tokhtamysh’s army approached Moscow, Sergius left his monastery for some time “and fled from Takhtamyshov to Tver” under the protection of Prince Mikhail Alexandrovich of Tver.
According to Epiphanius the Wise, the life of St. Sergius was accompanied by numerous miracles.
In particular, as Epiphanius reports, one of these miracles preceded the birth of the future saint: “When the child was still in the womb, one day - it was on Sunday - his mother entered the church, as usual, during the singing of the holy liturgy,” and before reading the Gospel, “suddenly the baby began to scream in the womb.” Before the singing of “Like the Cherubim,” the cry was repeated: “suddenly the baby began to scream loudly in the womb a second time, louder than the first time,” and for the third time the baby screamed loudly after the priest’s exclamation: “Let us take in, holy of holies!”.
According to life, Sergius of Radonezh performed many miracles. Church historian E. E. Golubinsky in his work lists the following miracles of the saint:
Reproducing the source. Since “the monks found themselves forced to bring themselves water from afar,” a murmur arose, and then the monk, “having found some rainwater in one ditch, made a fervent prayer over it,” after which an abundant source of water opened.
Resurrection of the Youth. One local Having a seriously ill son, he took him to St. Sergius. But when he entered the monk’s cell and asked for prayers for the sick man, his son died. Heartbroken, he left to pick up the coffin. “But while he was walking, the monk prayed over the deceased - and through his prayer the child came to life.”
Healing a possessed nobleman.
Healing a patient with insomnia, who “did not eat or sleep for twenty days.”
Punishment of the covetous, who “forced one of his poor neighbors to give him a hog” and “did not want to pay money for it.” Sergius turned to the offender with reproof and heard in response a promise not only to “pay for the pig taken from a poor neighbor, but to correct his whole life,” which he soon forgot about, and pork carcass was eaten away by worms, “even though it was winter.”
Healing of the Greek Bishop. “Hearing many stories about St. Sergius, he did not want to believe them...” But when he met the monk, “blindness attacked him,” “and involuntarily he confessed his unbelief to the monk,” after which St. Sergius restored his sight.
As Epiphanius the Wise reports, through work, abstinence and prayer, the monk reached a very old age and warned the brethren of the monastery about his death.
Just before his death, Sergius of Radonezh “took communion of the body and blood of the Lord.” His death occurred on September 25, 1392.
Church historian E.E. Golubinsky wrote about Sergius that “he ordered his body to be laid not in the church, but outside it, in the general monastery cemetery, along with all the others.” This order of his greatly upset the monastery brethren. As a result, “she turned with demand and for advice to Metropolitan Cyprian,” who, “according to reasoning ... ordered it to be placed in the church on the right side.”
Modern researcher A.G. Melnik believes that it was precisely the desire to “establish the veneration of Abbot Sergius” that was the reason for the reluctance of the “monastic brethren to bury him outside the church” and that the burial of Sergius in the church was the beginning of his veneration.
