Sergius (Bartholomew) accomplished one of the great deeds: he helped overcome the unrest and schism in Muscovy, recreatedreal Russian Christian Church in contrast to the Roman-Byzantine religion.
These students had their own students, many of whom also founded monastic communities- in the 15th century, Muscovite Rus' became a country of monasteries, and the Russian motto for many centuries remained “God is with us!”
We have collected all (or almost all) preserved and even poorly preserved monasteries founded by Sergius of Radonezh and his disciples.
Ferapontov Monastery, Kirillovsky district, Vologda region
Ferapontov Monastery is much smaller, but ancient (there are no buildings in it younger than the middle of the 17th century), and is included in World Heritage UNESCO thanks to the complex of frescoes of Dionysius in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (1490-1502).
Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Sergiev Posad, Moscow region
Sergius founded the main Russian monastery while still a devout layman Bartholomew: with his brother-monk Stephen he settled on Makovets Hill in the Radonezh Forest, where he built the Church of the Holy Trinity with his own hands.
A couple of years later, Bartholomew became a monk with the name Sergius, and then a monastic community formed around him, which by 1345 had formed into a monastery with a cenobitic charter. Sergius was revered during his lifetime, walked around Rus' and reconciled warring princes, and finally in 1380 he blessed Dmitry Donskoy for the battle with the Horde and gave him two monastic warriors Alexander Peresvet and Rodion Oslyabya to help him.
In the Trinity Monastery in 1392, Sergius reposed, and thirty years later his relics were found, to which the people were drawn. The monastery grew and became more beautiful along with Russia, and survived the devastation of Edigei's horde in 1408, and the siege of Pan Sapieha by the Polish-Lithuanian army in 1608-10.
In 1744, the monastery received the status of a monastery - the second in Rus' after the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Nowadays it is a grandiose architectural complex worthy of the largest Russian Kremlins - about 50 buildings behind an impregnable wall 1.5 kilometers long.
The oldest churches are the Trinity Cathedral (1422-23) and the Holy Spiritual Church-Bell Tower (1476), and it was for the first that Andrei Rublev wrote his great “Trinity”. The Assumption Cathedral (1559-85) is one of the largest and most majestic in Rus'. The bell tower (1741-77) is taller than Ivan the Great, and on it hangs Russia's largest 72-ton Tsar Bell. Temples, residential and service chambers, educational and administrative institutions, relics and graves historical figures, a museum with unique exhibits: the Lavra is a whole city, as well as a “city-forming enterprise” of the rather large city of Sergiev Posad.
Annunciation Kirzhach Monastery. Kirzhach, Vladimir region
Sometimes Sergius left the Trinity Monastery for several years, but wherever he settled, a new monastery arose. So, in 1358, on the Kirzhach River, Sergius and his disciple Simon founded the Annunciation Monastery, where another disciple Roman remained as abbot.
Nowadays it is a small cozy convent on the high bank - on one side the city of Kirzhach, on the other - endless meadows. In the center is the white stone Annunciation Cathedral of the early 16th century and the Church of the All-Merciful Savior (1656).
Bobrenev Monastery. Kolomna, Moscow region
One of the heroes of the Battle of Kulikovo, Dmitry Bobrok-Volynsky, came to Moscow from what is now known as Western Ukraine and became so close to Prince Dmitry that together they prepared a plan for the battle with Mamai. Bobrok was given military cunning: when after 5 hours of battle the Russians began to retreat, his ambush regiment hit the rear of the Tatar army, thereby deciding the outcome of the battle.
Returning victorious, Bobrok, with the blessing of Sergius, founded a monastery near Kolomna. Nowadays it is a small cozy monastery in a field between the Novoryazanskoe highway and the Moscow River with the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (1757-90) and other buildings of the 19th century. The best way to get to the monastery is from the Kolomna Kremlin along the most picturesque path through the Pyatnitsky Gate and the pontoon bridge.
Epiphany Staro-Golutvin Monastery. Kolomna, Moscow region
The large monastery on the outskirts of Kolomna is clearly visible from the railway, attracting attention with the thin false-Gothic turrets of the fence (1778), similar to minarets. Sergius founded it in 1385 at the request of Dmitry Donskoy, and left his student Gregory as abbot.
Until 1929, there was a spring in the monastery, which, according to legend, flowed where Sergius said. In the Middle Ages, the monastery was a fortress on the road to the Steppe, but most of the current buildings, including the Epiphany Cathedral, date back to the 18th century.
Holy Trinity Monastery, Ryazan (Pereslavl-Ryazan)
Chapel "Holy Gates" of the Holy Trinity Monastery
One of Sergius’ missions was a kind of “diplomacy of general authority” - he walked around Rus', reconciling warring princes and convincing them of the unity of the Russian cause. The most rebellious was Oleg Ryazansky: on the one hand,
Ryazan competed with Moscow for leadership, on the other hand, it was open to the attacks of the Horde, and therefore Oleg played a double game on the verge of betrayal. In 1382, he helped Tokhtamysh, seized Kolomna from Dmitry... Things were heading towards a new collapse of Rus', but in 1386 Sergius came to Ryazan (Pereslavl-Ryazansky) and by some miracle prevented the war, and as a sign of peace he founded the small Trinity Monastery.
Nowadays it is a modest city monastery with a decorative fence and churches of the 17th (Troitskaya), 18th (Sergievskaya) and 19th (icon of the Mother of God "Znamenia-Kochemnaya") centuries.
Boris and Gleb Monastery. Pos. Borisoglebsky (Borisogleb), Yaroslavl region
Sergius founded several more monasteries as if “in collaboration” - not with his disciples, but with the monks of his generation. For example, Borisoglebsky is 18 versts from Rostov, where Sergius was born, together with the Novgorodians Theodore and Paul in 1365.
Later, the recluse Irinakh, who lived here, blessed Kuzma Minin for the defense of Rus'. The magnificent architectural complex developed in the 16th-17th centuries, and from the outside, especially when looking at the gates (of which the monastery has two), towers or a three-span belfry, it resembles a slightly simplified Rostov Kremlin. There are several churches inside, including the Cathedral of Boris and Gleb from the 1520s.
Mother of God Nativity Monastery. Rostov Veliky
This monastery was founded by the disciple of St. Sergius, the monk Fyodor, in the teacher’s homeland, and in the fabulous landscape of Rostov it took its place a block from the Kremlin. First stone church founded by Metropolitan Jonah Sysoevich in 1670.
Nowadays it is a large, but at first glance not very spectacular (especially against the background of the Rostov Kremlin!) ensemble of temples, buildings and fences of the 17th-19th centuries. Moreover, it is worth approaching it and taking a closer look.
Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. Zvenigorod, Moscow region
After the death of Sergius, the new abbot of the Trinity Monastery, Nikon, almost immediately went into a six-year retreat, leaving Sergius’s other student Savva as abbot. Immediately after Nikon's return in 1398, Savva went to Zvenigorod and, at the request of the local prince, founded a monastery on Mount Storozhka.
As the name suggests, the place was strategic, and in the 15th-17th centuries the monastery turned into a powerful fortress. But this monastery was especially revered by the Russian tsars, who sometimes retired there for prayer and peace: the road here from Moscow was called the Tsar’s Road, and now it is nothing more than Rublyovka.
The monastery stands in an extremely picturesque place, and behind the impregnable walls hides an exemplary “fairy-tale city” from the time of Alexei Mikhailovich - elaborate chambers, elegant bell towers, kokoshniks, tents, tiles, a white and red palette of the ensemble.
It even has its own Royal Palace, as well as an excellent museum. And in the center is the small white Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, consecrated in 1405, during the life of Savva the Wonderworker.
Nikolo-Peshnoshsky Monastery. Lugovoe village, Dmitrovsky district, Moscow region
One of the most beautiful monasteries in the Moscow region, founded in 1361 by Sergius’s disciple Methodius, was undeservedly forgotten - since 1960, a psychoneurological boarding school, closed to outsiders, lived within its walls.
Hidden inside are St. Nicholas Cathedral from the early 16th century, a very elegant bell tower, and several more churches and chambers. The boarding school is now in the process of moving, and the churches are at the beginning of restoration.
Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery. Vologda
The Vologda region was called the Northern Thebaid for the abundance of secluded and fabulously beautiful monasteries, founded during the heyday of the Russian North - a country of merchants, fishermen and monks. The Prilutsky Monastery on the outskirts of Vologda, with its powerful faceted towers, looks like a Kremlin much more than the Vologda Kremlin itself.
Its founder Dmitry met Sergius in 1354, being the founder and abbot of the Nikolsky Monastery in Pereslavl-Zalessky, and not without the influence of Sergius’ ideas he went to the North, hoping to find solitude somewhere in the wilderness. In 1371, he came to Vologda and built a large monastery there, funds for which were allocated by Dmitry Donskoy himself, and for all subsequent centuries the monastery remained one of the richest in Russia.
From here Ivan the Terrible took shrines on his campaign against Kazan; During the Time of Troubles, the monastery was destroyed three times; in 1812, relics of monasteries near Moscow were evacuated here. The main shrines - the icon of Dmitry Prilutsky with the life and the Cilician cross brought by him from Pereslavl, are now kept in the Vologda museum. Behind the powerful walls of the 1640s is the Spassky Cathedral (1537-42),
Vvedenskaya Church with a refectory and covered galleries(1623), a number of buildings of the 17th-19th centuries, a pond, the grave of the poet Batyushkov, the wooden Assumption Church (1519), brought in 1962 from the closed Kushtsky monastery - the oldest tented church in Russia.
Pavlo-Obnorsky Monastery. Gryazovets district, Vologda region
The monastery in the upper reaches of the Obnora River in the Vologda region was founded in 1389 by Sergius’ disciple Pavel, who had a 15-year retreat behind him. He lived here alone for 3 years in the hollow of an old linden tree.
Once upon a time, the Pavlo-Obnorsky Monastery was one of the largest in Rus', but it was especially unlucky under the Soviets: the Trinity Cathedral (1510-1515) with the iconostasis of Dionysius was destroyed (4 icons survived and were distributed to museums), the Assumption Church was beheaded (1535).
In the surviving buildings there was an orphanage, later a pioneer camp - that’s why the village where the monastery stands is called Yunoshesky. Since the 1990s, the monastery has been revived; on the site of the Trinity Cathedral, a wooden chapel with a shrine of the relics of Pavel Obnorsky was built.
Resurrection Obnorsky Monastery. Lyubimovsky district, Yaroslavl region
A small monastery in deep forests on the Obnor River, 20 kilometers from the town of Lyubim, was founded by Sergius’s disciple Sylvester, who lived in this place for many years in solitude and was accidentally discovered by a lost peasant, after which the rumor about the hermit spread, and other monks flocked there.
The monastery was abolished in 1764; the holy spring of Sylvester of Obnor and the Church of the Resurrection (1825) were preserved.
Spaso-Preobrazhensky Nuromsky Monastery. Spas-Nurma, Gryazovets district, Vologda region
Another monastery on the Nurma River, 15 kilometers from Pavlo-Obnorsky, was founded in 1389 by Sergius of Nuromsky, a student of Sergius of Radonezh. Abolished in 1764, the Spaso-Sergievskaya Church in the “northern baroque” style was built in 1795 as a parish church.
Now monastic life in this abandoned forest monastery is gradually being revived, the buildings are being restored.
Vysoko-Pokrovsky Monastery. Borovsk, Kaluga region
In Kaluga Borovsk, the most famous, of course, is the Pafnutiev Monastery, but its founder came from another, now disappeared Intercession Monastery in the suburb of Vysokoye, founded in 1414 by Sergius’s disciple Nikita, and abolished again in 1764. All that remains is the wooden Church of the Intercession from the 17th century in the monastery cemetery.
Spaso-Andronikov Monastery. Moscow
"Joint project" of Sergius - Andronikov Monastery on the Yauza, now almost in the center of Moscow. It was founded in 1356 by Metropolitan Alexy in honor of miraculous salvation from a storm on the way to Constantinople.
From Sergius he received a blessing and the help of his disciple Andronikos, who became the first abbot. Nowadays the Andronikov Monastery is famous for its white-stone Spassky Cathedral (1427) - the oldest surviving building in all of Moscow.
In those same years, Andrei Rublev was one of the monks of the monastery, and now the Museum of Ancient Russian Art operates here. The second large church of St. Michael the Archangel is an example of Baroque, 1690s; the ensemble also includes walls, towers, buildings and chapels of the 16th-17th centuries, and a few new buildings, or rather, restored buildings.
Simonov(sky) monastery, Moscow
A male monastery founded in 1370 downstream of the Moskva River from Moscow by the student and nephew of Sergius of Radonezh - Fedor, a native of the city of Radonezh on lands donated by the boyar Stepan Vasilyevich Khovrin, who accepted monasticism with the name Simon, from which the name of the monastery comes.
Many key events in Russian history are associated with the Simonov Monastery.
In January 1930, five of the six churches were blown up, including the Assumption Cathedral, the bell tower, the gate churches, as well as the Watchtower and Tainitskaya towers with their adjacent buildings. All the walls of the monastery were dismantled, except for the southern one, and all the graves on the territory of the monastery were wiped off the face of the earth. The ZIL Palace of Culture was built on this site in 1932-1937.
Epiphany-Anastasia Monastery. Kostroma
The brainchild of Sergius's disciple - Elder Nikita - Epiphany Monastery in Kostroma. Not as famous as Ipatievsky, it is older and in the very center of the city, and its shrine is the Fedorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God.
The monastery survived a lot, including devastation by Ivan the Terrible and the Poles during the Time of Troubles, but the fire of 1847 was fatal. In 1863, the temples and chambers were transferred to the Anastasinsky Convent. The cathedral now consists of two parts: white stone old temple(1559) turned into a new red brick altar (1864-69) - this structure has 27 domes!
In place of the corner towers there is the Smolensk Church (1825) and a hipped bell tower. If you manage to look inside, you can see the former refectory (now a seminary) from the 17th century and a very beautiful abbot’s building.
Trinity-Sypanov Monastery. Nerekhta, Kostroma region
The picturesque monastery on Sypanov Hill, 2 kilometers from the town of Nerekhta, was founded in 1365 by Sergius’s student Pachomius - like many other students, and the teacher himself, he went into the forests to seek solitude, dug a cell... and soon the monastery formed around him by itself.
Nowadays it is essentially just the Trinity Church (1675) in a fence (1780) with towers and a chapel - in 1764-1993 it was a parish church instead of the abolished monastery. And now - again a monastery, for women.
Jacob-Zheleznoborovsky Monastery. Village Borok, Buysky district, Kostroma region
The village of Borok near the town of Bui - a large railway junction - in the old days was called Iron Bork, as bog ores were mined here. Founded by Sergius’ disciple Jacob in 1390, the monastery played a role in two Russian Troubles: in 1442, Vasily the Dark made it his “base” in his campaign against Dmitry Shemyaka, and at the beginning of the 17th century, Grishka Otrepyev, the future False Dmitry I, took monastic vows here.
Nowadays, all that remains of the monastery, which was impoverished in the 19th century, are the churches of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (1757) and the Nativity of John the Baptist (1765), the bell tower - a “pencil” between them, a fence and cells.
Avraamiev Gorodetsky Monastery. Nozhkino village, Chukhloma district, Kostroma region
One of the brightest successors of Sergius’ work was the monk Abraham, the founder of four monasteries in the remote Galician side (we are, of course, not talking about Galicia, but about Galich in the Kostroma region).
Only the Avraamiev Gorodetsky Monastery in the village of Nozhkino, where the saint rested, has survived. Temples are visible from Chukhloma and from the Soligalich road beyond the lake surface: the Intercession and St. Nicholas churches of the 17th century and the Cathedral of the Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness” with a bell tower, built by Konstantin Ton in the style of his Moscow “masterpiece”.
The ruins of two churches of another Avraamiev Novozersky monastery have been preserved opposite Galich, in a village with the affectionate name Tenderness.
Cherepovets Resurrection Monastery. Cherepovets
It’s hard to believe that the industrial giant Cherepovets was once a quiet merchant town that grew up in the 18th century near the monastery founded by Sergius’ disciples Theodosius and Afanasy. The monastery was abolished in 1764, but its Resurrection Cathedral (1752-56) remains oldest building, the historical heart of Cherepovets.
Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. Vologda region, Kirillovsky district
In 1397, two monks of the Simonov Monastery - Kirill and Ferapont - came to the Belozersk Principality. The first dug a cell near Lake Siverskoye, the second - between lakes Passky and Borodavsky, and over the years the most famous monasteries of Northern Thebaid grew from these cells.
The Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery is now the largest in Russia, and on an area of 12 hectares there are fifty buildings, including 10 churches, only two of which are younger than the 16th century.
The monastery is so large that it is divided into “districts” - the Great Assumption and Ivanovo monasteries make up the Old Town, adjacent to which is a vast and almost empty New town. All this is protected by powerful walls and impregnable towers, and once the monastery had its own Ostrog citadel, which also served as an “elite” prison.
There are also many chambers here - residential, educational, hospital, economic, also almost entirely from the 16th-17th centuries, one of which is occupied by a museum of icons. In the New Town there is a wooden mill and a very old (1485) Church of the Deposition of the Robe from the village of Borodavy.
Add here a glorious history and a beautiful location - and you get one of the most impressive places in Russia. The Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery gave the most “third-order students”: its monks were the ideologist of “non-covetousness” Nil Sorsky, the founder of the Solovetsky Monastery Savvaty and others.
Luzhetsky Ferapontov Monastery. Mozhaisk, Moscow region
Belozersky Prince Andrei Dmitrievich owned several cities in Rus', including Mozhaisk. In 1408, he asked the monk Ferapont to found a monastery there, and Sergius's disciple returned to the Moscow region.
Nowadays the Luzhetsky Monastery on the outskirts of Mozhaisk is a small but very integral ensemble with the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (1520), a couple of younger churches and a hipped bell tower behind decorative but impressive walls and towers.
Assumption Borovensky Monastery. Mosalsk, Kaluga region
The southernmost monastery of Sergius’ disciples was founded by the namesake of the “northern” Ferapont - the monk Ferapont of Borovensky.
The Kaluga land in those days was a troubled outskirts, which was encroached on by Lithuania and the Horde, and for a defenseless monk to come here to live was already a feat. The monastery, however, survived all the wars... only to close in the 1760s.
Founded in the 1740s, the Assumption Church, one of the most beautiful in the South, was already consecrated as a parish church. Nowadays it stands among the fields, abandoned, but unshakable, and inside you can see paintings made by Ukrainian masters, including " All-seeing eye"on the vaults.
Ust-Vymsky Michael-Arkhangelsk Monastery. Ust-Vym, Komi Republic
Stefan of Perm was born in the merchant Veliky Ustyug in the family of a priest and a baptized Zyryan woman (as the Komi were called in the old days), and went down in history by single-handedly annexing an entire region to Russia - Lesser Perm, the country of the Komi-Zyryans.
Having taken monastic vows and settled in Rostov, Stefan studied the sciences, and more than once talked with Sergius of Radonezh, adopting his experience, and then returned to the North and went beyond the Vychegda
The Komi were then a warlike people; their conversation with the missionaries was short, but when they tied Stefan up and began to cover him with brushwood, his calmness so shocked the Zyryans that they not only spared him, but also heeded his sermons.
So, converting village after village to the faith of Christ, Stefan reached Ust-Vym - the capital of Lesser Perm, and there he met with the pama - the high priest.
According to legend, the outcome was decided by a test: a monk and a priest chained to each other had to walk through a burning hut, dive into an ice hole on one bank of the Vychegda and emerge on the other...
In essence, they were heading towards certain death, and the essence of their preparedness for it was: Pama was afraid, retreated and thereby saved Stefan... but immediately lost the trust of his people. This was the year of the Battle of Kulikovo.
On the site of the temple, Stefan built a temple, and now in the center of Ust-Vym there is a small but very landscaped monastery of two churches of the 18th century (and a third from the 1990s) and a wooden monastic monastery, similar to a small fortress
From two other monasteries of Stephen, the current Kotlas and Syktyvkar grew.
Vysotsky Monastery. Serpukhov, Moscow region
The monastery on the outskirts of Serpukhov is one of the main attractions of the ancient city. It was founded in 1374 by the local prince Vladimir the Brave, but to select the place and consecrate it he called Sergius with his disciple Afanasy, who remained as abbot
The monastery is small, but beautiful: walls with towers from the 17th century, an elegant gate bell tower (1831), the Conception Cathedral from the time of Boris Godunov and several other churches and buildings.
But most of all, the monastery is famous for the “Inexhaustible Chalice” icon, which relieves alcoholism, drug addiction and other addictions.
Not everyone knows who Sergei Radonezhsky is, his life and exploits. Ancient chronicles will help you learn about this briefly. According to them, the great wonderworker was born in early May 1314. It is also known when he died - September 25, 1392. You can find out what Sergei of Radonezh is famous for by studying his biography.
Sergei Radonezhsky: short biography:
According to ancient chronicles, the miracle worker became the founder of several monasteries. To this day, one of his most famous creations is known, the Holy Trinity Monastery, located near Moscow.
Sergei of Radonezh, or as he was previously called Bartholomew, lagged behind his peers in the study of sciences. The topic was closer to him Holy Scripture. At the age of fourteen, he and his family moved to Radonezh. There he founded the first church, called the Trinity-Sergius Monastery.
A few years later, the miracle worker decides to become abbot. Since then, he was given a new name - Sergei. After this, he became a respected person among the people. People came to him to bless before the battle and help in reconciliation.
In addition to the Trinity-Sergius, he created more than five more churches. Sergei of Radonezh died on September 25, 1392. Still Orthodox people This date is celebrated as a day of remembrance of the great miracle worker.
Some interesting facts
Several interesting facts are known about Sergei of Radonezh:
- While pregnant, the miracle worker’s mother went to the temple. During the prayer, her child in the womb cried out three times. Each time the volume of crying increased;
- According to sources, Sergei of Radonezh helped the monks. They were forced to go long distances to fetch water. The monk found a few drops left from the rain and said a prayer over them. After some time a source of water appeared;
- The miracle worker also helped ordinary people. A local resident turned to him with a request to save his sick son. The boy died after he was brought to Sergei of Radonezh. But while his father was walking behind the coffin, he incredibly came to life;
- The monk unfailingly helped every person who needed his support. It is known that he healed a possessed nobleman, treated the sick from insomnia and blindness;
- The Wonderworker provided assistance in reconciliation and salvation from debt.
Patriarch Kirill gave an interview about this in 2014. According to him, Sergei Radonezh had extraordinary abilities. He could influence the laws of nature and bring man closer to God. The historian Klyuchevsky stated that the miracle worker was able to raise the spirit of the people.
Life of Sergei of Radonezh
50 years after the death of the founder of successful temples, a life was written. The story of the great wonderworker was written by his disciple Epiphanius the Wise. It aroused the interest of the people, and a few years later it received the status of a valuable source of Muscovite Rus'.
The first life was written based on Epiphanius’s own writings. The student was very developed and educated. From the publication it is easy to guess that he loved to travel and visited places such as Jerusalem and Constantinople. He was forced to live with his mentor for several years. Sergei Radonezhsky singled out his student for his unusual mentality.
By 1380, Epiphanius had already become an experienced chronicler with excellent literacy skills.
After the death of the miracle worker, the student began to write Interesting Facts about it and convey them to people. He did this for several reasons. First of all, he respected the work of his mentor. He was offended that so many years after his death not a single story had been published about him. Epiphanius took the initiative to write his life.
The wise student also believed that his stories would help convey to people the value of life, learn to believe in themselves and cope with difficulties.
Where are the relics of the Saint now?
30 years after the death of Sergei of Radonezh, namely, in 1422, his relics were discovered. This event took place under the leadership of Pachomius Lagofet. According to his glory, despite such a long period, the miracle worker’s body remained intact and bright. Even his clothes remained intact. His relics were moved only twice, in order to preserve them and save them from fire.
This happened for the first time in 1709, and then repeated in 1746. The third and last time the relics were transported was in 1812 during the war with Napoleon.
The re-opening of the grave took place in 1919, by order of the Soviet government. This was done in the presence of a state commission. According to Pavel Florensky, the person in whose presence the autopsy took place, the head of Sergei Radonezhsky was separated from the body and replaced with a head that belonged to Prince Trubetskoy.
The relics of the miracle worker became an exhibit for the museum and are located in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
Sergei Radonezhsky and painting
During the life of Sergei of Radonezh, and for several centuries after his death, a ban on artistic art was introduced. It could only be transmitted to the people in the form of icons. Russian painting first appeared only in the 18th century.
The artist Nesterov succeeded in depicting the image of the miracle worker. In 1889 he completed his painting entitled Motherwort. Sergei Radonezhsky was an idol for the artist from his earliest years. The saint was revered by his loved ones; for them he was an image of purity and innocence. The adult Nesterov created a series of paintings dedicated to the great miracle worker.
Thanks to paintings, lives and chronicles, everyone modern man can find out who Sergei of Radonezh was, his life and exploits. It is impossible to briefly study his life. He was an absolutely unique person with a pure soul, sincerity and selflessness aimed at helping other people.
To this day, people visit churches, pray in front of the icon of Sergei of Radonezh and his relics. Each person sincerely believes that he will help them resolve difficult situation in life.
Video about the Holy Wonderworker
In this video, Father Mikhail will talk about the life and exploits of Sergei of Radonezh:
October 8 is the day of repose of one of the most revered saints in Rus' - St. Sergius Radonezhsky. He is considered the guardian of the Russian land and a great miracle worker. We tell you who Sergius of Radonezh is and why he is so loved in Russia.
Who is Sergius of Radonezh?
Sergius of Radonezh is one of the favorite saints in Rus'. Known as a hermit and miracle worker, the founder of a number of monasteries, including the Trinity-Sergius Lavra near Moscow. He is also called the spiritual collector of the Russian people. He is considered the patron saint of students.
When was Sergius of Radonezh born and lived?
The exact date and year of his birth are unknown. The Russian Church traditionally considers his birthday to be May 3, 1314.
The parents of the future saint were called Cyril and Maria. The boy was given the name Bartholomew at birth. Besides him, there were two more children in the family. The eldest is Stefan and the youngest is Peter. The family lived in the village of Varnitsa near Rostov. When Bartholomew was a teenager, his family, fleeing hunger, moved to Radonezh.
How did he become a monk?
As it is said in the life of the saint, while still a child 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.” His parents did not like this behavior of their son, and they made him promise that he would become a monk only after their death. And so it happened. At the age of 23, Sergius invited his brother Stefan to live in the desert. But he did not stay with his brother for long: life in the desert turned out to be too difficult, and Stefan left. Bartholomew called a certain abbot Mitrofan and took tonsure from him, calling himself Sergius, since on that day (October 7) the memory of the martyrs Sergius and Bacchus was celebrated.
Soon students began to join him. Sergius forbade them to beg and introduced the rule that they all live by their own labor. During his life, Sergius founded five monasteries. The most famous is the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, as well as the Annunciation Monastery on Kirzhach, Staro-Golutvin near Kolomna, the Vysotsky Monastery, and the St. George Monastery on Klyazma.
Why is Sergius of Radonezh considered the patron saint of students?
Many miracles are associated with the name of this saint. One of the first is amazing literacy learning. Bartholomew was sent to study at the age of seven. His brothers quickly mastered reading, but Bartholomew still could not learn. The parents argued, the teacher punished, but the boy could not learn and “prayed to God with tears.”
One day in the field, Bartholomew saw a praying monk-monk, “an old man... handsome, like an angel,” told him about his misfortune and asked him to pray to God for him. After the prayer, the elder gave the boy a piece of holy prosphora and ordered him to eat it, predicting that now he would know literacy better than all his peers. And so it happened. Sergius was a very educated man. He spoke several languages, read a lot and knew a lot. He passed on his knowledge to his students. And today he is considered the patron saint of students.
Why is Sergius of Radonezh called the guardian of the Russian land?
It is believed that Sergius reconciled the warring princes. The life says that the saint could act on the hardest and most hardened hearts with “quiet and meek words.” And it was thanks to Sergius that by the time of the Battle of Kulikovo, almost all Russian princes had stopped fighting.
Sergius of Radonezh had the gift of foresight. He blessed Prince Dmitry for the battle with the Tatar Khan Mamai on the Kulikovo Field. When Dmitry came to him for advice, Sergius predicted victory for the Russian army. “If the enemies want honor and glory from us, we will give them; if they want gold and silver, we will give that too; but for the name of Christ, for the Orthodox faith, we must lay down our souls and shed blood,” said Radonezhsky and promised to pray for the victory of the Russian soldiers .
To help the prince, he released two monks - Peresvet and Oslyabya, although in those days monks were forbidden to take part in battles. As a result, the Russian army won.
What miracles did Sergius of Radonezh perform?
He performed a lot of miracles. Let's list just a few:
- Source. In one of the monasteries, the monks were forced to bring themselves water from afar, a murmur arose, and then the monk, “having found some rain water in one ditch, made a fervent prayer over it,” after which a source of water opened.
- Resurrection of a child. One local resident brought Sergius his sick son. But the child died. The grief-stricken father went to pick up the coffin. “But while he was walking, the monk prayed over the deceased, and the child came to life,” says the Life.
- Punishment for greed. The rich neighbor took the poor hog from him and “didn’t want to pay money for it.” When Sergius appealed, the rich man promised to “pay for the pig he took from his poor neighbor, and also to correct his whole life.” He did not fulfill his promise, and the pork carcass, despite the fact that it was frozen, was eaten by worms.
How did Sergius of Radonezh die?
Knowing how to predict the future, Sergius learned about his death six months before and managed to prepare for it. Then he was already a very old man. He appointed a successor in the monastery and on September 25 (October 8, new style) 1392 he passed away. 30 years after his death, people discovered his incorruptible relics. Many miracles were also associated with them, and in 1452 Sergius of Radonezh was canonized. Now the relics are kept in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra; thousands of people come to this temple in the hope of healing and help.
What should you not do on this day?
On this day you should free yourself from worldly worries for at least a few hours, go to church and pray. People believe that it is impossible to celebrate on this day general cleaning and a big wash. Work in the garden is not recommended.
Avoid conflicts and quarrels.
And since Sergius of Radonezh is the patron saint of poultry, today you cannot slaughter chickens or prepare chicken dishes.
Memory of our venerable father Abbot Sergius, Radonezh wonderworker
Memory St. Sergius, Wonderworker of Radonezh, The Church honors October 8 (September 25, old style), the day of his repose. Reverend Sergius of Radonezh is rightfully one of the most revered monks since the time Ancient Rus' and to this day. He is the founder of several monasteries, among which the Trinity-Sergius Lavra became the most famous. It is no coincidence that Sergius of Radonezh often call " abbot of the Russian land».
Feats St. Sergius fell on a difficult era when Rus' was under the yoke of the foreign Mongol-Tatar yoke, but strived to gain independence and build a strong and unified state. Sergius of Radonezh, a man of desert life, who never took up arms, became a spiritual support in the resistance to the Mongol-Tatar yoke, inspired princes and warriors to fight for the independence of Rus'. He blessed the Moscow prince Dimitry Donskoy on Battle of Kulikovo, which took place in 1380. Also, the Radonezh abbot sent two monks, who had once been warriors - Peresvet and Oslyabya, to help the prince. Thus, it became a symbol of the unity of the Church and the people at a time of difficult trial. The victory of rising Moscow over Mamai on the Kulikovo Field significantly strengthened the young principality.
Monasteries founded by Sergius of Radonezh
Besides Trinity Monastery, Sergius founded several more monasteries, which later became monasteries: Blagoveshchensky on Kirzhach (1358), Epiphany Staro-Golutvin (1385) near Kolomna, Vysotsky Monastery (1374), St. George's on Klyazma. Hegumen of Radonezh sent his disciples to these monasteries and monasteries, who became abbots there. In total, the disciples of Sergius of Radonezh created about forty monasteries.
The most famous were such famous ones as Savvo-Storozhevsky (1398) near Zvenigorod, Bogoroditse-Rozhdestvensky Ferapontov (1398), Kirillo-Belozersky (1397), Pavlo-Obnorsky (1414) and many others.
Miracles of Sergius of Radonezh
As stated in the Life, Sergius of Radonezh performed many miracles. People came to him from different villages, hamlets and cities to receive spiritual advice, and sometimes even just to see him. As the hagiographers of Sergius write, he often healed the suffering, and once he resurrected a boy who died in his father’s arms when he was carrying the child to the abbot. The fame of Sergius' miracles quickly spread throughout Rus'. Sick people from different areas began to come to him. And none of them left without good advice and healing. But human glory weighed heavily on the ascetic. One day a bishop Stefan Permsky(about 1330-1340 - 1396) was heading from his diocese to Moscow. The road ran not far from the Sergius Monastery. The bishop decided to visit the monastery on the way back and stopped, read a prayer, bowed to Abbot Sergius with the words “Peace be with you, spiritual brother.” At this time, Sergius was at a meal with the brethren. In response to Bishop Stephen, Sergius sent a blessing. Some of the disciples were very surprised by the abbot’s act and hurried to the indicated place, where they saw Bishop Stefan.
Once, during the liturgy, an Angel of the Lord concelebrated with St. Sergius, but in his humility, the abbot forbade anyone to tell about this until the end of his earthly life. For his pious life, Sergius was awarded heavenly vision from the Lord. Once he prayed in front of the icon of the Mother of God and, having finished the prayer, sat down to rest. And suddenly he told his disciple Micah that a miraculous visit awaited them. A moment later, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared, accompanied by the holy apostles Peter and John the Theologian. From the unusually bright light, the abbot fell to the ground, but the Mother of God touched him with her hands and, blessing him, promised to always patronize his monastery.
Repose of Abbot Sergius
At the end of his righteous life, Sergius, having perspicaciously learned about his impending death for six months, called the brethren to him and, after a brief council of the elders, ordered to choose as rector a student experienced in spiritual life and obedience Nikon(1352-1426). Just before his death, the abbot of the Russian land called the brethren to his deathbed and addressed the words of his will:
Take heed, brothers. First have the fear of God, spiritual purity and unfeigned love...
On September 25 (Ol. Art.), 1392, the Monk Sergius reposed. Church historian E.E. Golubinsky wrote that Sergius ordered his body to be laid not in the church, but in the general monastery cemetery. This command greatly upset the brethren. The monks turned for advice to Metropolitan Cyprian, who said to lay the body of Abbot Sergius in the church.
Veneration of Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh
July 5 (O.S.) 1422 were found incorrupt relics of Sergius. This is how Pachomius Logofet wrote about this event: “To when the Holy Council opened the miraculous tomb... everyone saw a wonderful and touching sight: not only the saint’s honest body was preserved whole and bright, but also the clothes in which he was buried turned out to be intact, completely untouched by corruption... Seeing this, everyone glorified God, after all, the body of the saint, which had been in the tomb for so many years, remained unharmed" Since then, the date of the discovery of the relics, July 18 (NS) has been one of the days of remembrance of the saint.
There is no documentary evidence of when the veneration of Sergius began. Already in 1427, five years after the discovery of the relics of St. Sergius, a church was founded in his homeland in Varnitsy. Trinity-Sergius Varnitsky Monastery.
As pointed out by a specialist in the field of hagiology, historian E.E. Golubinsky, the veneration of Sergius of Radonezh obviously has an early origin. However, he indicates that official canonization was possible thanks to the persistent actions of the Moscow Metropolitan Jonah. The relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh were placed in main cathedral laurels - Trinity.
The most popular source of information about Sergius of Radonezh, a famous monument of ancient Russian literature, is the famous “Life” of Sergius, written in 1417–1418 by his student Epiphanius the Wise. Decades later, it was revised by Pachomius Logothetes and supplemented with new facts, including the story of the discovery of the relics.
Troparion and Kontakion to St. Sergius of Radonezh
Troparion, tone 4.
He who is an ascetic of virtue, as if he were truly a warrior of Christ God, labored on great passions, towards the temporal life, in singing, vigils and fasting, being the image of his disciple. This is how the Most Holy Spirit dwells in you, and is brightly adorned by its action. But as having the boldness to Holy Trinity Remember the flock wisely, and do not forget what you promised when visiting your children, O Reverend Father Sergius.
Kontakion, tone 8.
Having been wounded by the love of Christ, the venerable one, and following that irrevocable desire, you hated all carnal pleasure, and like the sun you shone for your Fatherland. With this Christ enriched you with the gift of miracles. Remember us who honor your blessed memory, and we call you, rejoicing to Sergius, God-wise.
Library of Russian Faith
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Venerable Sergius of Radonezh. Icons
The oldest image of St. Sergius is an embroidered cover (1420s). Currently located in the Sacristy of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
The oldest hagiographic icon with 19 hallmarks is known, the authorship of which is attributed to the circle master Dionysius; the icon dates back to around 1480 or 1492. Early full-length images of Sergius come from the Assumption Cathedral (the turn of the 15th-16th centuries) and probably from the gateway church of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius (the beginning of the 16th century).
Also associated with the monk is the image “ Monastery of St. Sergius of Radonezh", a list of the 19th century with an unsurvived ancient icons XVII century, which was once located in the northeastern aisle of the Refectory of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. This icon is famous for the fact that it depicts a detailed plan of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra; it is currently located in Pokrovsky Cathedral Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow.
The image of Sergius of Radonezh in painting
In addition to the icons of St. Sergius of Radonezh, there are also paintings that depict events from the life of the Radonezh abbot. Among Soviet artists we can highlight M.V. Nesterova. The following of his works are known: “The Works of Sergius of Radonezh”, “The Youth of Sergius”, “Vision to the Youth Bartholomew”. Also among the artists who turned to the image of Sergius of Radonezh were V.M. Vasnetsov(image of St. Sergius for the temple in Abramtsevo), E.E. Lisser(“Sergius of Radonezh blessing Dmitry Donskoy before the Battle of Kulikovo”), N.K. Roerich(“St. Sergius of Radonezh”) and others.
Sculptural images of St. Sergius of Radonezh
Sculpture is one of the forms of veneration of saints in Rus'. There are many sculptural images of Sergius of Radonezh. One of them is a high relief depicting Demetrius Donskoy’s visit to Sergius of Radonezh before the massacre on the Kulikovo Field, executed by the sculptor A.V. Loganovsky. This high relief decorated the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, was dismantled before the explosion of the temple and has survived to this day. A bronze copy of this high relief is installed on the restored temple.
There is a known sculptural image of St. Sergius of Radonezh as part of a multi-figure composition on the monument “1000th Anniversary of Russia” in Veliky Novgorod.
At the end of the 20th and 21st centuries, monuments to St. Sergius were erected in places associated with his life: one (sculptor V. Chukharkin, architect V. Zhuravlev) is located in Sergiev Posad “near the walls of the holy monastery he founded,” the other (sculptor V. M. Klykov and architect R.I. Semerdzhiev) - in the village of Radonezh.
In addition to these monuments, sculptures of the saint were installed in Moscow, Kolomna, Rostov-on-Don, Elista, Samara, many other cities and villages of Russia, as well as in Belarus.
Temples in Rus' in the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh
Venerable Sergius of Radonezh has always been especially revered by the Russian people. Among the churches dedicated to him are famous Sergievsky Temple(1686–1692) in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra; Cathedral of Sergius in the Trinity-Sergius Varnitsky Monastery; the Cathedral of St. Sergius in the Vysokopetrovsky Monastery in Moscow (1690-1694); Church of Sergius of Radonezh in the Kirilo-Belozersky Monastery (1560-1594). Temples are dedicated to the monk in Nizhny Novgorod, Orel, Ufa, Tula and other cities.
In the Tver province, more than 70 altars were consecrated in churches in the name of St. Sergius, but most of them were destroyed during the years of Soviet persecution.
Old Believer churches in the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh
Before the revolution in the Tver province there were two Old Believers Church in the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh: a temple in the village of Dmitrovo, Pogorelsky district, Kalinin region (now Zubtsovsky district, Tver region) and a temple in the village of Matyukovo (Torzhoksky district, Tver region). Both temples were destroyed during the atheistic years. In the Old Believers, there are currently several churches in the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh the Wonderworker. In the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church, today is a temple holiday in the Smolensk region and in the Kirov region. In the name of the saint, the border of the cathedral on Rogozhsky was also consecrated. In the Russian Ancient Orthodox Church, churches in the name of Sergius of Radonezh were consecrated in Kursk region and Orenburg region. Also, a Edinoverie church in the Leningrad region was consecrated in honor of the saint.
In the name of St. Sergius, the lower church of the famous Old Believer Assumption Church on Apukhtinka was also consecrated (now there is a dormitory in the temple building).
The fate of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh and his monastery in the Soviet years
After the death of St. Sergius, the abbots of the Trinity Monastery in different time there were famous Russian ascetics. Of these, the most famous are Saints Nikon and Dionysius of Radonezh, Sava of Zvenigorod, Martinian of Belozersky. During the Time of Troubles, Abbot Dionysius, a native of the city of Rzhev, saved the monastery of Sergius from desecration.
In 1919, the relics of St. Sergius were opened, and then transferred as an exhibit to the Sergius Historical and Art Museum, located in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The relics of the monastery walls were abandoned before the threat of fascist occupation. In 1946, after the Great Patriotic War and the opening of the Lavra, the relics were returned. Currently, the relics of St. Sergius are in the Trinity Cathedral of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
Anti-church terror during the Soviet period also affected the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. In 1920, by decree of the Council of People's Commissars, by personal order of V.I. Lenin, Trinity-Sergius Lavra was closed and transformed into a historical and art museum. The Lavra buildings housed a pedagogical institute, residential premises and other institutions.
After the end of the Great Patriotic War, the revival of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra began. Today the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius has the status of stauropegial monastery. The Lavra has a unique library of handwritten and early printed books.
Little is known about the life of Sergius of Radonezh, hieromonk of the Russian Church, reformer of monasticism in northern Rus' and founder of the Holy Trinity Monastery. Everything we know about the “great old man,” canonized, was written by his disciple, the monk Epiphanius the Wise.
Later, the life of Sergius of Radonezh was edited by Pachomius the Serb (Logothetus). From it our contemporaries draw information about the main milestones of the biography church leader. In his biography, Epiphanius managed to convey to the reader the essence of the teacher’s personality, his greatness and charm. The earthly path of Sergius recreated by him makes it possible to understand the origins of his glory. His life path is indicative in that it makes it clear how easily any difficulties in life can be overcome with faith in God.
Childhood
The date of birth of the future ascetic is not precisely known, some sources call 1314, others - 1322, others are inclined to believe that Sergius of Radonezh was born on May 3, 1319. At baptism, the baby received the name Bartholomew. By ancient legend, Sergius’s parents were boyar Kirill and his wife Maria, who lived in the village of Varnitsa in the vicinity of Rostov.
Their estate was located not far from the city - in the places where the Trinity Varnitsky Monastery was subsequently built. Bartholomew had two more brothers, he was the middle one. At the age of seven the boy was sent to study. Unlike the smart brothers who quickly grasped literacy, the training of the future saint was difficult. But a miracle happened: in an amazing way the boy learned to read and write.
This event is described in his book by Epiphanius the Wise. Bartholomew, wanting to learn to read and write, prayed for a long time and with zeal, asking the Lord to enlighten him. One day an old man in a black robe appeared before him, to whom the boy told about his trouble and asked him to pray for him and ask God for help. The elder promised that from that moment the boy would write and read and surpass his brothers.
They entered the chapel, where Bartholomew confidently and without hesitation read the psalm. Then they went to their parents. The elder said that their son was marked by God even before giving birth, when she came to church for the service. During the singing of the liturgy, the child, being in his mother’s womb, cried out three times. Based on this story from the life of the saint, the painter Nesterov painted the painting “Vision to the Youth Bartholomew.”
From that moment on, books about the lives of saints became available to Bartholomew. While studying the Holy Scriptures, the youth developed an interest in the church. From the age of twelve, Bartholomew devoted a lot of time to prayer and observed strict fasting. On Wednesdays and Fridays he fasts, on other days he eats bread and drinks water, and prays at night. Maria is worried about her son's behavior. This becomes a subject of controversy and disagreement between father and mother.
In 1328-1330 the family faced serious material problems, impoverished. This was the reason that Kirill and Maria and their children moved to Radonezh, a settlement on the outskirts of the Principality of Moscow. These were difficult, troubled times. The Golden Horde ruled in Rus', lawlessness arose. The population was subjected to regular raids and subjected to excessive tribute. The principalities were ruled by princes appointed by the Tatar-Mongol khans. All this caused the family to move from Rostov.
Monasticism
At the age of 12, Bartholomew decides to become a monk. His parents did not interfere, but set the condition that he could become a monk only when they were gone. Bartholomew was their only support, since the other brothers lived separately with their children and wives. Soon my parents died, so I didn’t have to wait long.
According to the tradition of those times, before their death they took monastic tonsure and schema. Bartholomew goes to the Khotkovo-Pokrovsky Monastery, where his brother Stefan is located. He was widowed and took monastic vows before his brother. The desire for a strict monastic life led the brothers to the bank of the Konchura River in the Makovets tract, where they founded a hermitage.
In a remote forest, the brothers built a wooden cell made of logs and a small church, on the site of which the Holy Trinity Cathedral currently stands. The brother cannot stand the hermit life in the forest and moves to the Epiphany Monastery. Bartholomew, who was only 23 years old, takes monastic vows, becomes Father Sergius and remains to live in the tract in all alone.
A little time passed, and monks flocked to Makovets, a monastery was formed, which over the years became the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, which still exists today. Its first abbot was a certain Mitrofan, the second abbot was Father Sergius. The abbots of the monastery and students did not take alms from believers, living on the fruits of their labor. The community grew, peasants settled around the monastery, fields and meadows were reclaimed, and the former abandoned wilderness turned into a populated area.
The exploits and glory of the monks became known in Constantinople. From the Ecumenical Patriarch Philotheus, St. Sergius was sent a cross, a schema, a paraman and a letter. On the advice of the Patriarch, the monastery introduced the konoviya - a communal charter, which was subsequently adopted by many monasteries in Rus'. This was a bold innovation, since at that time the monasteries lived according to a special charter, according to which the monks arranged their lives as their means allowed.
Cenovia presupposed equality of property, food from one cauldron in a common refectory, identical clothes and shoes, obedience to the abbot and the “elders.” This way of life was an ideal model of relationships among believers. The monastery turned into an independent community, whose residents were engaged in prosaic peasant work, praying for the salvation of the soul and the whole world. Having approved the charter of “common life” in Makovets, Sergius began to introduce life-giving reform in other monasteries.
Monasteries founded by Sergius of Radonezh
- Trinity-Sergius Lavra;
- Staro-Golutvin near Kolomna in the Moscow region;
- Vysotsky Monastery in Serpukhov;
- Annunciation Monastery in Kirzhach, Vladimir region;
- St. George's Monastery on the river. Klyazma.
Followers of the saint's teachings founded more than forty monasteries on the territory of Rus'. Most of them were built in the wilderness. Over time, villages appeared around them. “Monastic colonization”, begun by Radonezh, made it possible to create strongholds for the development of lands and the development of the Russian North and Trans-Volga region.
Battle of Kulikovo
Sergius of Radonezh was a great peacemaker who made an invaluable contribution to the unity of the people. With quiet and meek speeches, he found his way to the hearts of people, calling for obedience and peace. He reconciled the warring parties, calling for submission to the Prince of Moscow and the unification of all Russian lands. Subsequently, this created favorable conditions for liberation from the Tatar-Mongols.
The role of Sergius of Radonezh in the battle on the Kulikovo field was great. Before the battle, the Grand Duke came to the saint to pray and ask for advice on whether it was a godly thing for a Russian man to fight against the atheists. Khan Mamai and his huge army wanted to enslave the freedom-loving, but fear-ridden Russian people. The Monk Sergius gave the prince his blessing for the battle and predicted victory over the Tatar horde.
Sergius of Radonezh blesses Dmitry Donskoy for the Battle of Kulikovo Together with the prince, he sends two monks, thereby violating church canons, forbidding monks to fight. Sergius was ready to sacrifice the salvation of his soul for the sake of the Fatherland. The Russian army won the Battle of Kulikovo on Christmas Day Holy Mother of God. This was another evidence of special love and patronage Mother of God on Russian soil. The prayer of the Most Pure One accompanied the saint’s entire life; his favorite cell icon was “Our Lady Hodegetria” (Guide). Not a day passed without singing an akathist - a hymn of praise dedicated to the Mother of God.
Miracles
The ascetic’s ascent along the path of spiritual perfection was accompanied by mystical visions. He saw angels and birds of paradise, heavenly fire and divine radiance. The name of the saint is associated with miracles that began even before birth. The first miracle mentioned above took place in the womb. Everyone in the church heard the baby's cry. The second miracle is associated with unexpectedly revealed abilities for knowledge.
The pinnacle of spiritual contemplation was the appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos, which the holy elder was honored with. One day, after selfless prayer in front of the icon, he was illuminated by a dazzling light, in the rays of which he saw Blessed Virgin Mary accompanied by two apostles - Peter and John. The monk fell to his knees, and the Most Pure One touched him and said that she had heard the prayers and would continue to help. After these words, she became invisible again.
The appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos was a good omen for the monastery and all of Rus'. A big war with the Tatars was coming, people were in a state of anxious anticipation. The vision became a prophecy, good news about a successful outcome and impending victory over the horde. The theme of the appearance of the Mother of God to the abbot has become one of the most popular in icon painting.
Death
The decline of Sergius, who lived to a ripe old age, was clear and quiet. He was surrounded by numerous disciples, he was revered by great princes and the last beggars. Six months before his death, Sergius handed over the abbess to his disciple Nikon and renounced everything worldly, “began to remain silent,” preparing for death.
When the illness began to overcome him more and more, in anticipation of his departure, he gathers the monastic brethren and addresses them with instructions. He asks to “have the fear of God,” to maintain like-mindedness, purity of soul and body, love, humility and love of hospitableness, expressed in caring for the poor and homeless. The elder passed away into another world on September 25, 1392.
Memory
After his death, the Trinity monks elevated him to the rank of saints, calling him a venerable, miracle worker and saint. A stone cathedral, called Trinity Cathedral, was built over the saint’s grave. The walls of the cathedral and the iconostasis were painted by an artel under the leadership. The ancient paintings were not preserved; new ones were created in their place in 1635.
According to another version, the canonization of Radonezh took place later, on July 5 (18), when the relics of the saint were found. The relics are still in the Trinity Cathedral. They left its walls only when there was a severe threat - during fires and the Napoleonic invasion. When the Bolsheviks came to power, the relics were opened, and the remains were kept in the Sergiev Historical and Art Museum.
The modest Radonezh abbot gained immortality in the memory of his followers, all believers and in the history of the state. The Moscow kings, who attended pilgrimages in the Trinity Monastery, considered the saint their intercessor and patron. His image was turned to during difficult times for the Russian people. His name became a symbol of the spiritual wealth of Russia and the people.
The dates of commemoration of the saint are the day of his death on September 25 (October 8) and the day of glorification of the holy monks of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra on July 6 (19). The saint’s biography contains many facts of selfless service to God. Many monasteries, temples and monuments were built in his honor. There are 67 churches in the capital alone, many were built in the 17th-18th centuries. They also exist abroad. Many icons and paintings with his image were painted.
The miraculous icon “Sergius of Radonezh” helps parents when they pray for their children to study well. In a house where there is an icon, children are under its protection. Schoolchildren and students resort to the help of the saint when they experience difficulties in their studies and during exams. Prayer before the icon helps in court cases, protects against mistakes and offenders.
Virgo
