Most of us know who the Sergius of Radonezh.His biography is interesting to many people, even those who are far from the church.He founded the Trinity Monastery near Moscow (now it is the Trinity-Sergius Lavra), did a lot for the Russian Orthodox Church.Holy dearly loved his motherland and a lot of effort put on to help his people survive all the disasters.We have learned about the life of St. manuscripts through his associates and students.Work Epiphanius the Wise called "The Life of St. Sergius of Radonezh," he wrote at the beginning of the XV century, is a valuable source of information about the life of the saint.The rest of the manuscript, which appeared later, are for the most part, the processing of his materials.
place and time of birth
not known for certain when and where was born the future saint.His disciple Epiphanius the Wise in the Life of the Reverend talks about it in a very intricate way.Historians are faced with the difficult problem of interpretation of this information.The study of the works of the XIX century church and dictionaries, it was found that the birthday of St. Sergius of Radonezh, most likely - is May 3, 1319.However, some scientists are inclined to other dates.The exact location of the birth of the lad Bartholomew (the name of the saint in the world) is also unknown.Epiphanius the Wise points out that the father of the monk name Cyril, and his mother - Mary.Before moving to Radonezh family lived in Rostov principality.It is believed that he was born St. Sergius of Radonezh in the village Varnitsa in the Rostov region.At baptism boy was given the name Bartholomew.The parents named him in honor of the Apostle Bartholomew.
wonders of childhood and the first in the family
Bartholomew's parents had three sons.Our hero was the second child.Two of his brothers, Stephen and Peter, were children smyshlёnymi.They quickly mastered reading and writing, learned to read and write.But Bartholomew study did not give.No matter how often scolded by his parents, he tried to reason with the teacher, the boy could not learn to read, and holy books were not available for his understanding.And then a miracle happened: suddenly knew letter Bartholomew, the future saint Sergius of Radonezh.His biography revealing how faith in the Lord helps to overcome any of life's difficulties.About nauchenii wonderful lad literacy told in his "Life" Epiphanius the Wise.He says that Bartholomew prayed long and hard, asking God to help him learn to read and write in order to know the scriptures.And one day, when his father sent his son Cyril seek grazing horses, Bartholomew saw under the tree an old man in a black chasuble.The boy tearfully told the saint about his inability to learning and asked to pray for him before the Lord.The old man told him that from this day the boy will know them better than their brethren letter.St. Bartholomew invited to the house of his parents.Before their visit, they went to the chapel, where the boy without hesitation read a psalm.Then he hurried with his guest to his parents, to please them.Cyril and Mary, learning about the miracle began to praise the Lord.On the question to the elder about what these things mean amazing phenomenon, they learned from the visitor that their son Bartholomew was marked by God in the womb.So when Mary came shortly before giving birth to the church, the child in the womb shouted three times, when the saints singing the liturgy.This story Epiphanius the Wise is reflected in the picture of the artist Nesterov's "Vision of Young Bartholomew".
first feats
What has occurred in childhood St. Sergius of Radonezh in the stories Epiphanius the Wise?Disciple of St. reported that before 12 years of age Bartholomew kept strict fasts.On Wednesday and Friday, he ate nothing, and on other days ate only bread and water.At night, the young man often slept, devoting time to prayer.All this was the subject of a dispute between the parents of the boy.Mary was troubled by those early exploits of his son.
Resettlement in Radonezh
Soon the family of Cyril and Mary impoverished.They were forced to move to a house in Radonezh.It happened at about 1328-1330 years.Fame and the reason why the family was impoverished.It was a difficult time in Russia, which was under the rule of the Golden Horde.But not only the Tatars then robbed the people of our long-suffering country, imposing its unbearable tribute and making regular raids on the settlement.Tatar-Mongol Khans themselves choose which of the Russian princes to rule in a certain principality.And it was no less an ordeal for all the people, than the invasion of the Golden Horde.In fact, such "elections" were accompanied by violence against the population.This often told himself Sergius of Radonezh.His biography - a vivid example of the lawlessness going on at the time in Russia.The Principality of Rostov departed Grand Duke of Moscow, Ivan Danilovich.The father of the future saint gathered and moved with his family from Rostov to Radonezh, wanting to protect themselves and loved ones from robberies and needs.
Monastic life
When for certain birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh was unknown.But we heard the exact historical information about its children and youth life.It is known that, as a child, he prayed fervently.When he was 12, he decided to take monastic vows.Cyril and Mary did not object.However, they put the son of a condition: he should become a monk until after their death.After Bartholomew eventually became the sole support and support for the elderly.By the time the brothers Peter and Stefan have already started their own families and live separately from their elderly parents.It did not have to wait for the lad soon Cyril and Mary died.Before his death, they were, as usual at that time in Russia, took monastic vows at first, and then the schema.After the death of their parents, Bartholomew went to Hotkovo-Pokrovsky Monastery.It took monastic vows his brother Stephen, had already widowed.Not for long, there were brothers.Striving for "the strictest monastic life", they founded the bank of the river Konchury deserts.There, in the midst of a deaf Radonezh boron in 1335 Bartholomew built a small wooden church, named in honor of the Holy Trinity.Now in its place is the cathedral church of the Holy Trinity.Brother Stephen was soon moved to the Monastery of the Epiphany, unable to withstand the harsh and too ascetic way of life in the forest.At the new place, he will then become abbot.And Bartholomew, left all alone, has called Mitrofan abbot and took vows.Now, he was known as a monk Sergius.At the time of his life he was 23 years old.Soon the monks began to flock to Sergius.At the site of the church of the monastery was formed, which today is called the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.Father Sergius became the second abbot here (the first was Mitrofan).Abbots are his disciples an example of hard work and great humility.The monk Sergius of Radonezh he never took alms from worshipers and monks forbidden to do so, just calling to live the fruits of labor of their hands.The glory of the monastery and its abbot grew and reached the city of Constantinople.Ecumenical Patriarch Philotheus with a special embassy sent a cross to St. Sergius, schema, and the letter paraman, which paid tribute to the abbot of the righteous life, and advised to enter the monastery Kin.Heed these recommendations, abbot of Radonezh introduced into his monastery obschinnozhitelny charter.It was later adopted by many monasteries Russia.
Service to Fatherland
A lot of useful and good for their Motherland did Sergius of Radonezh.700th anniversary of his birth is celebrated this year.Dmitry Medvedev, as president of the Russian Federation, signed a decree on the celebration of this memorable and meaningful for the whole of Russia dates.Why attach such importance to the Life of the saint at the state level?The main condition of invincibility and inviolability of every country - in the unity of its people.It is very well understood at the time Father Sergius.It is also obvious to our politicians today.Well aware of the peacekeeping activities of the saint.So, eyewitnesses claimed that Sergius meek, quiet words could find their way to the heart of any person to act on the most violent and rough heart, calling people to peace and obedience.Often holy had to reconcile the warring parties.Thus, he called on Russian princes to unite, putting aside all differences, and obey the authorities Prince of Moscow.It later became the main condition for exemption from the Mongol-Tatar yoke.Considerable contribution to the Russian victory in the Battle of Kulikov made Sergius of Radonezh.Briefly tell about it impossible.Grand Duke Dmitri, later received the nickname of Don, before the fight came to a saint, to pray and to ask him for advice, whether it is possible to oppose the Russian army godless.Orda Khan Mamai gathered utter army, once and for all to subjugate the people of Russia.The people of our homeland were great fear covered.After all, no one has yet been able to beat the enemy army.St. Sergius asked the prince replied that defend our homeland - it is pleasing to God, and blessed him in the great battle.With foresight, Father Dmitry predicted victory over the Tatar khan and return home safe and sound with the glory of the Liberator.Even when the Grand Duke saw a myriad enemy army, nothing trembled in it.He was confident of future victory, for which he was blessed by St. Sergius.
Monastery of St. Sergius of Radonezh Year celebrated in 2014.Especially great celebrations on this occasion, we should expect them to based in churches and monasteries.In addition to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, the saint raised the following monasteries:
• Annunciation in Kirzhach, Vladimir Region;
• Vysotsky Monastery in Serpukhov;
• Old-Golutvin near the town of Kolomna in the Moscow region;
• George Monastery on the river Klyazma.
In all these monasteries abbots were students of the Holy Father Sergius.In turn, the followers of his teachings was founded more than 40 monasteries.
miracles
Life of St. Sergius of Radonezh, written by his disciple Epiphanius the Wise, tells us that at one time rector of Trinity-Sergius Lavra performed many miracles.Unusual phenomena accompanied the saint throughout his life.The first one was related to his miraculous birth.This is the story of the wise as a child in the womb of Mary, the mother of a saint during the liturgy in the temple shouted three times.And it heard all the people who are in it.The second miracle - learning to read and write the lad Bartholomew.More about it has been told above.Once aware of such divas associated with the life of the saint: the resurrection of the prayers servant Father Sergius.Near the monastery there lived a righteous man who had strong faith in the saint.Only his son, a minor boy was fatally ill.The father at the hands of a child brought to the monastery to Sergius, that he prayed for his recovery.But the boy died before his parents made his request abbot.The inconsolable father went to prepare the coffin, to put it in the body of his son.A saint Sergius began to pray fervently.And a miracle happened: the boy suddenly came to life.When heartbroken father found his child alive, he fell at the feet of the monk, offering up praise.And the abbot told him to rise from his knees, saying that there is no miracle: a young man was cold and weak, when his father carried him to the monastery, and in a warm cell warmed up and began to move.But the man was not persuaded.He believed in what Saint Sergius revealed miracle.Nowadays there is a lot of skeptics who doubt that the monk worked miracles.Their interpretation depends on the ideological position of interpreter.It is likely that the person far from faith in God chooses not to dwell on such information about the miracles of the saint, they found another, more logical explanation.But for many of the faithful narrative of life and all events related to Sergius, it has a special spiritual significance.For example, many parishioners pray for their children to comprehend the letter, translated and successfully passed the entrance exams.After all, the boy Bartholomew, the future of St. Sergius, first as he could not overcome even the basics of learning.Only fervent supplication to God led to the fact that the miracle happened when the boy learned to read a marvelous way.
Aging and Smer
Reverend Sergius of Radonezh Life for us is an unprecedented feat of serving God and Fatherland.It is known that he lived to a ripe old age.As he lay on his deathbed, sensing that soon will be on the judgment of God, the last time he called his brethren for instruction.He called his disciples first of all, "to have the fear of God" and to give people "purity of soul and love unfeigned."Abbot died September 25, 1392.He was buried at Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Honoring Reverend
There is no documented evidence as to when and under what circumstances people began to perceive Sergius as the righteous.Some scholars are inclined to believe that the rector of Holy Trinity Monastery was canonized in 1449-1450 years.Then literacy Metropolitan Jonah to Dmitry Shemyaka Primate of the Russian Church calls Reverend Sergius, classify it to the Priory, and the saint.But there are other versions of his canonization.Day of St. Sergius of Radonezh celebrated 5 (18) of July.On this date referred to in the writings of Pachomius Logofet.In it he tells the story of that day were relics of the great saint.In the history of the Trinity Cathedral of the shrine left its walls only in case of serious threats from the outside.So, two fires that occurred in 1709 and 1746, caused the removal of the relics of the saint of the monastery.When the Russian troops left the capital at the time of the French invasion led by Napoleon, the remains were taken to St. Sergius of Cyril-Belozersky Monastery.In 1919, a customized atheistic Soviet government issued a decree on the opening of the relics of the saint.After it is not pleasing to God had been committed, the remains were transferred Sergievskaya historical and art museum as an exhibit.Currently, the saint's relics are kept in the Holy Trinity Cathedral.There are other dates the memory of his abbot.September 25 (October 8), - the day of St. Sergius of Radonezh.This is the date of his death.Also commemorated Sergius 6 (19) of July, when all the holy monks are famed Trinity-St.
Temples in honor of St.
One of the most revered saints in Russia since ancient times considered Sergius of Radonezh.His biography is replete with facts selfless service to God.He dedicated many temples.In Moscow alone, they number 67. Among them, such as the temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Bibirevo, Cathedral of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Vysokopetrovsky monastery Temple Sergius of Radonezh in Wren and others.Many of them are built in the XVII-XVIII centuries.There are many churches and cathedrals in different areas of our homeland: Vladimir, Tula, Ryazan, Yaroslavl, Smolensk, and so on.There are even abroad, and the sanctuary of the monastery, founded in honor of the saint.Among them, the church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Johannesburg in South Africa and in the monastery of St. Sergius of Radonezh city Rumija in Montenegro.
Images Reverend
worth remembering as many icons created in honor of the saint.The oldest of his image - it is embroidered veil, made in the XV century.Now he is in the sacristy of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.One of the most famous works by Andrei Rublev - "Icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh", which also contains 17 stamps of the Life of the saint.They wrote about the events connected with the rector of Holy Trinity Monastery is not only icons but also pictures.Among Soviet artists here can distinguish Mikhail Nesterov.Known his work: "Proceedings of St. Sergius of Radonezh", "Youth of St. Sergius," "Vision of Young Bartholomew".
Sergius of Radonezh.Brief biography of him can hardly tell how extraordinary man he was, did much to their homeland.Therefore, we elaborated on the lives of saints, details of which are taken mostly from the work of his disciple Epiphanius the Wise.
