In February of this year was an important event - to Moscow from Greece was delivered to the right hand of the Great Martyr Demetrius.We reverence it goes back to the first years of Christianity in Russia.This saint is the patron of the armed forces, and therefore, in the seventieth year of the arrival of the relics of the Victory of particular importance.Hand of Demetrius in Moscow for the first time.
childhood and youth Demetrius
Life of Saint tells the story of his birth in the Greek city of Thessaloniki in the III century.Now the city is known as Thessaloniki.In addition, in the literature it is common Slavic name - Solon.From it, and it is this holy - Thessalonica.He was born in the family of the Roman proconsul, a secret Christian.In his home church and the boy she was christened.When he grew older, godly parents instruct him in the truths of faith.However, they had to hide their commitment to Christ's teachings, because the Roman authorities stepped up the persecution of Christians.
When his father died, Dimitri was already an adult and was promoted to his father, because he was educated, intelligent and had noble origins.His new duties were to command a military garrison Thessaloniki and eradicate Christianity.The main threat to the city were the barbarians who moved in a variety of Thessalonica on the peninsula.An interesting detail - among the barbarians were the majority of our ancestors, the Slavs.
preaching activities among the Gentiles
When the newly appointed proconsul took up his duties, the emperor had ordered - executed without mercy all Christians.But Demetrius himself confessed Christ, and instead of the persecution of the brothers in the faith openly engaged in preaching activities and turn to the true faith of multitudes.It is hard to imagine the wrath of the Emperor when he was told about the activities of Dimitry.
During this period, the emperor completed a military campaign in the Black Sea and back to Rome.He changed the route of the army so that the road to go to Thessalonica and deal with a renegade, and along with all Christians.The news of the approaching rebel army reached the proconsul, and he, knowing that no quarter will be, began to prepare to die with dignity.Demetrius ordered to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor.After that, put it on the post, he indulged in prayer, in which he asked God to strengthen his mental strength.
end of the earthly life of St.
Immediately upon arrival in the city demanded to the Emperor himself Dimitri, waiting to hear his excuses, but he boldly declared its commitment to the Christian faith.Pagan emperor ordered to throw him in jail.On this night in prison to St. Demetrius angel came down, strengthening and comforting him.In the morning were the soldiers sent by the emperor and spears pierced the body of the saint.
His faithful servant named Luppos collected blood with a towel, took off his ring from his finger killed, is a sign of power, and sprinkled with his blood.Ring and all the reasons there was blood martyr, acquired miraculous power.They Luppos healed the sick and performed miracles.But soon he was captured and put to death, too.
Finding body
The history of the invention of relics of the saint.Initially, they were in Greece, but in the period of the Crusades have been kidnapped and taken to Italy.For several centuries, there was nothing known about them.Only in our time, in 1978, they were discovered by archaeologists during excavations of the temple in an Italian town.This discovery shocked the Christian world.The relics were returned to Greece, and now the right hand of the Great Martyr Demetrius is stored in the monastery of Panagia Dovre.From there it and brought to Moscow.
relics of a saint on earth Moscow
Ark, in which the hand of Demetrius, was brought to Moscow a delegation of the Greek clergy.Head of the delegation was the Metropolitan Panteleimon (Kalpakidis).This shrine is not the first time in our country.In previous years, she traveled to St. Petersburg, Dimitrov and Lugansk.And then, finally, the right hand of Demetrius in Moscow.Turn it is understandable, because it is a unique case in front of the shrine to pray for the gift of peace and prosperity to our people.This is especially true in our turbulent times.If you recall the history, it is often out of trouble rescued prayers to the saints of God.
in our capital aircraft, which arrived at the right hand of Demetrius, met the governor of the Novospassky Monastery Bishop Savva Resurrection.Since Saint Demetrios is the patron of the defenders of the Fatherland, the number of veterans were welcoming, behind which the smoke of battle, and the young cadets who have yet to join the ranks of the Armed Forces.
Meeting of the Greek delegation to Moscow
Greek delegation, which was delivered to Moscow right hand Demetrius, visited many monasteries of the capital.For them it was an opportunity to venerate the relics of saints stored in the Intercession, Donskoy and Danilov Monastery.Many of them were for the first time in Moscow.Representatives of the Greek clergy were delighted with the piety of the Russian people and his reverence for the relics.Hand of Demetrius arrived in Moscow in the winter, and to pay homage to her, it was necessary to defend the huge queue in the cold.However, the cold did not stop pilgrims.On the first day, about six thousand people come to the holy relics.Moreover, attended by representatives of the Moscow monastery of Mount Athos monastery.Hand of Demetrius was exhibited in the Novospassky Monastery.
In Thessaloniki, in the monastery, where it is usually kept a priceless heirloom, sound bells cast in Russia.It is a gift of the Russian Orthodox Church, delivered to Greece in 2013 during the official visit of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the Greek Orthodox Church.So a return gift to the Greek Church was the right hand of Demetrius in Moscow.Photo shrines in front of you.
cast bells were Tutaev plant.It should be noted that the famous bell Romanovsky Novospassky Monastery, which blows welcomed guests from Greece, was made by the same craftsmen.Hand of Demetrius in Moscow remained until February 18 and then the plane with the great shrine on board headed for Greece.
