The miraculous help of St. Sergius in our days. Saint Sergius of Radonezh, pray to God for us

In Sergiev Posad, the repose of the hegumen of the Russian Land, St. Sergius of Radonezh, is celebrated.

In the early morning of October 8, I went to the village of Annunciation in the courtyard of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra. There are fewer people here, and in the Lavra all the churches are overcrowded. On the way, I take pictures of the Lavra, a good view! After the Divine Liturgy, streams of pilgrims from each Radonezh church flock to the Lavra for the Patriarchal prayer service. I went too. At the Holy Gates I met Archpriest Igor Zavatsky, Dean of the Churches of the Sergiev Posad District, he brought children from the Sunday School. At the Trinity Cathedral, pilgrims who did not fit into the temple crouched against the wall near the shrine with holy relics. They struck the bells and, to the sound of a chime, on Cathedral Square, bishops began to leave the Lavra churches, more than a hundred and fifty of them gathered.

I notice one of the “farthest”, Bishop Innokenty from Vladivostok / nine thousand km from the Lavra! /. The square fills up and under the Blagovest a full-length icon is taken out of the Assumption Cathedral, it feels like St. Sergius himself goes out to the people. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill, also came out, and a prayer service began. And now the Patriarch overshadows everyone with the cross and a stream of bishops flowed into Trinity, to the holy relics. Members of the Committee of Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Union passed, followed by His Beatitude Onufry, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine and the Patriarchal Vicar of the Moscow Diocese, Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna Yuvenaly. The nuns are happy with the camera, they managed to take a good picture!

The Patriarch comes out onto the balcony of the chambers and the First Hierarch's word sounds. That's it, the main services are over. Someone hurries to the Pilgrimage settlement for a meal, today in the Lavra everyone is fed from field kitchens and Orthodox books are distributed. Someone stands in a winding line at the Trinity Cathedral, to the relics of St. Sergius. And at the Spiritual Church over the grave of the ever-remembered Archimandrite Kirill (Pavlov), prayers do not stop, on October 8, the priest would have turned 98 years old ... The celebrations in Radonezh will last for three days. In conclusion, on Wednesday, the pilgrims will commemorate St. schemamonk Kirill and schemamonk Maria, parents of St. Sergius. Their holy relics rest in the Pokrovsky Khotkov Monastery.

Tone 8

Canto 1

Irmos: Pharaoh's charioteer sometimes immerse the miracle-working rod of Moses, striking it crosswise, and dividing the sea, Israel, the fugitive, the pedestrian, save, singing the song of God.

Chorus:

For the sake of Christ, having humbled us by will, even imitating the image of a slave, you loved humility, and with green vigil and prayers, having killed soul-destroying passions, you ascended the mountain of passionlessness, Sergius the richest.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Like a lamp of light, decorating your soul with tear streams, and the other Isaac, like yourself, you lifted up, Reverend, and you sacrificed your heart to God.

Even in the womb of the mother three times by pronouncement, the servant of the Trinity appeared to you, and we illuminate the demonic militia like a spider, thou blessed Sergius.

Bogorodichen: Laws, besides the natural ones, gave birth to the Legislator of God and the former Man, Togo as a good prayer, All-blameless, despise our iniquities, always crying out: let us praise the Lord, gloriously be glorified.

Canto 3

Irmos: Establish at the beginning of Heaven with reason and found the earth on the waters, on the stone of me, Christ, affirm Thy commandments, as if it were not holy, more than You, the One Lover of Man.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Having given you a good image as your disciple, and you have attracted many souls for salvation, those who have departed from earthly addictions, and have improved heavenly pleasure as a consolation.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Like a good-fruited olive tree in the house of God, blessed, thou hast flourished, and anointing the souls with oil, who sing with the love of thee, blessed Sergius, and cry out by faith to Christ: nothing is holy more than You, Lover of mankind.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Thou didst take in the passions of the soul with invigorating vigils, blessed: and for this sake Thou hast settled in the heavenly chamber, the reception of God-wise Sergius, the grace of healing.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Cherubim and Seraphim exceeded Thou, O Mother of God: Thou alone didst receive the incomprehensible God in Thy womb, undefiled. The same Thou all faithful with songs, Pure, we appease.

Lord have mercy, thrice.

Sedalen, voice 4

As if truly perishable leaving the fickle, you followed Christ from the heart, and with illnesses and labors and green abstinence, as if you had lived without a body, blessed Sergius: pray to Christ God, save our souls.

The Cherubim and Seraphim exceeded the Mother of God, the heavens and the earth were more spacious, the visible and invisible creatures appeared to you as an advantageous non-vessel vessel: He was beyond the space of the heavens;

Canto 4

Irmos: You are my fortress, Lord, You are my strength, You are my God, You are my joy, do not leave the bowels of the Father and visit our poverty. To those with the prophet Habakkuk I call Thee: glory to Thy power, Lover of mankind.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

The Temple of the Most Holy Spirit, Father, was thou, and the river of life is filled, the foundation is unshakable of the Church, the monastic affirmation, Sergius is worthy.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Wetting the bed prophetically with teardrops every day, glorious Sergius, until the end of the passions the abyss has dried up: the same we honor your memory, honorable and sacred.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The face of Christ's face, Reverend Sergius, was honored to see you, a mirror truly resolved: this is more and excommunicate you from the world to your beloved desire.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Grant the cleansing of our ignorance, as if you are sinless, and die your world, O God, with the prayers of the One Who gave birth to You.

Canto 5

Irmos: Thou hast thrown me away from Thy face, Light Necessary, and has the alien darkness of the accursed covered me? But turn me, and direct my path to the light of Your commandments, I pray.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

In fasting, you were unbending, wiser, and keeping this dangerously until your departure, you were honored with the revelation of imperishable bliss.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Having a sharp mind to God, thou didst sleep on soulful passions, Father, and thou didst reap the sheaves of goodness, nourishing those who piously praise thee, Reverend Father Sergius.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Your life is bright, Reverend Sergius, and is known to all by the end of your appearance, and Divine kindness is filled, with prayers and forgiveness, and love, even to Christ the Lover of mankind.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

You have the wall of your possessions, and observe Your intercession, boasting in Your Divine glory, We appease You: You, the Most Pure One, exude joy and joy to our souls.

Canto 6

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, many of my iniquities, and from the depths of evils raise, I pray, I cry out to Thee, and hear me, O God of my salvation.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

The memory of your creators is sacred, father, do not stop praying to the Deliverer, to grant forgiveness of sins, and accept the Kingdom of Heaven. Where the voice of the celebrating rejoices all.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

We are strengthened in Christ, all the deceit of the evil one, with a firm mind, Sergius, as if you broke the network, and brightly shone the world, Father, you appeared.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We shine with the Divine Light, and now settling in heaven with the Angels, remember by faith those who honor your memory, Reverend Sergius of ever-memorable.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Thou hast exalted a truly fallen human being, even in the image of the Divine, and the Father by equality, the visible Son of the unchangeable, the Mother of God, without a seed in the womb.

Lord have mercy (thrice). Glory now:

Kontakion, tone 8

Wounded by Christ's love, Reverend, and following this with an irrevocable desire, you hated all carnal pleasure, and you shone like the sun of your fatherland: thus Christ enrich you with the gift of miracles. Remember us, who honor your blessed memory, let us call you: Rejoice, Sergius the Wise.

Ikos

The gospel voice, father, having heard, you left all the carnal wisdom, having imputed wealth and glory like dust, and as if you were incorporeal in passion, and you were worthy of honor without flesh. Thou hast received the gift of reason, and give in songs to those who sing: Rejoice, St. Sergius and God-bearer, heavenly man, earthly angel. Rejoice, abode of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, God-given gift received by prayers. Rejoice, for having glorified the Holy Trinity before birth, glorify thee even in this life and after death. Rejoice, pillar of chastity, who trampled down every passion. Rejoice, as from young nails you followed Christ. Rejoice, advocates of salvation flowing to you. Rejoice, luminary of many light, who raised many monks to Christ. Rejoice, praise to your fatherland. Rejoice, adorned with prophecy, in a hedgehog to prophesy like a real future. Rejoice, as by your prayers resistances are overcome. Rejoice, praise and affirmation to our Orthodox army. Keep it with your prayers from the enemy hatefully, let us call you: Rejoice, Sergius the Wise.

Canto 7

Irmos: God's condescension fire was shamed in Babylon sometimes. For this reason, the children are in the cave, with a joyful foot, as if in a flower garden, rejoicing: blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

In the cave of the temptations of kindling, the Divine grace of watering thee, Reverend, and much bright with the Trinity desire of the show, calling: blessed be the God of our fathers.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Having offended the world, glorious Sergius, thou hast lived on earth as if incorporeal, and thou hast been honored with angelic standing. We honor thee by faith, venerable.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

You entered into a quiet haven, O God-wise, you rejected worldly voyages, and you were agitated by worldly saving nourishment, singing: blessed is the God of our fathers.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

The rod will sprout, Virgin, from the root of Jesse, the all-blessed fruit, bearing the color of salvation, by faith to Your Son, crying out: God bless Thou art our fathers.

Canto 8

Irmos: The cave of seven, the Chaldean tormentor, was passionately kindled by the Godly, by the best power they were saved, seeing this, crying out to the Creator and Redeemer: youths, bless, priests, sing, people, exalt for all ages.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Your light-bearing holiday, blessed Sergius, fill with joy and spiritual joy, fragrance and enlightenment, for those who have an intercessor and monastic rule.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Thou hast risen up to God with unceasing prayer, and from there Thou hast illumined with the three-solar radiance, setting the enemies of the struggle, bringing fasting cathedrals with a new life, crying out to Christ: children bless, priests sing, people exalt Him forever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

In fasting, strong, in prayers, non-lazy patience in temptations, Sergius, you showed on earth, calling: children bless, priests sing, people exalt Him forever.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Pure Mother of God, cleanse my soul of sinful ulcers and temptations, mixing with the source, even from the ribs of Your Nativity, from which flowed streams: I call on You, and I resort to You, and I call on You, God-grace.

Canto 9

Irmos: Heaven was horrified about this, and the ends of the earth were surprised, as if God had appeared as a man in the flesh and Your womb was the most spacious of Heaven. Those are thee, the Mother of God, the Angels and the man of office are called.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Having been filled with spiritual manifestations of light, Reverend Sergius, a shining lamp from afar appeared thou, shedding word dawns on us, and the dwelling of the Most Divine Trinity appeared to you.

Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Truly, you are a great teacher, wise Sergius, Christ is a gift to the Russian countries, ruling his fatherland with an unfalse rule, and pouring out the teachings of the sweetest honey: they, like from the okrin, we, faithfully, draw unenviously.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Having conquered soulful passions, like a true shepherd, you have saved the verbal flock of Christ, and if you take out the grace of the Spirit, like nourishing the flowers of paradise, Reverend.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

We sing Psalms to Thee, O Joyful One, and silently to Thee, rejoice, we cry out: Thou hast exuded joy to all.

Svetilen

Thou flourished, like a phoenix, David, father, and the abode appeared thou art the All-Holy Spirit, even glorious to the universe, pray unceasingly to Christ for us, who honor your most honorable memory with faith, Reverend Sergius.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

We applaud you with silent songs, Virgin, as if from the Trinity of the One, you gave birth to the Mother of God, and wear the Most Rich Word, Non-rotating and Unchanging, in your divine embrace.

Rev. Sergius of Radonezh. Icon with life, 1st third of the 16th century. Workshop Feodosia

Tone 8

Canto 1

Irmos: Pharaoh's charioteer sometimes immerse the miracle-working rod of Moses, striking it crosswise, and dividing the sea, Israel, the fugitive, the pedestrian, save, singing the song of God.

Chorus:

For the sake of Christ, having humbled us by will, even imitating the image of a slave, you loved humility, and with green vigil and prayers, having killed soul-destroying passions, you ascended the mountain of passionlessness, Sergius the richest.

Like a lamp of light, decorating your soul with tear streams, and the other Isaac, like yourself, you lifted up, Reverend, and you sacrificed your heart to God.

Even in the womb of the mother three times by pronouncement, the servant of the Trinity appeared to you, and we illuminate the demonic militia like a spider, thou blessed Sergius.

Bogorodichen: Laws, besides the natural ones, gave birth to the Legislator of God and the former Man, Togo as a good prayer, All-blameless, despise our iniquities, always crying out: let us praise the Lord, gloriously be glorified.

Canto 3

Irmos: Establish at the beginning of Heaven with reason and found the earth on the waters, on the stone of me, Christ, affirm Thy commandments, as if it were not holy, more than You, the One Lover of Man.

Chorus: Our Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Having given you a good image as your disciple, and you have attracted many souls for salvation, those who have departed from earthly addictions, and have improved heavenly pleasure as a consolation.

Like a good-fruited olive tree in the house of God, blessed, thou hast flourished, and anointing the souls with oil, who sing with the love of thee, blessed Sergius, and cry out by faith to Christ: nothing is holy more than You, Lover of mankind.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Thou didst take in the passions of the soul with invigorating vigils, blessed: and for this sake Thou hast settled in the heavenly chamber, the reception of God-wise Sergius, the grace of healing.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Bogorodichen: Cherubim and Seraphim exceeded Thou, O Mother of God: Thou alone didst receive the incomprehensible God in Thy womb, undefiled. The same Thou all faithful with songs, Pure, we appease.

Lord, have mercy, three times. Glory, and now:

Sedalen, voice 4

As if truly perishable leaving the fickle, you followed Christ from the heart, and with illnesses and labors and green abstinence, as if you had lived without a body, blessed Sergius: pray to Christ God, save our souls.

The Cherubim and Seraphim exceeded the Mother of God, the heavens and the earth were more spacious, the visible and invisible creatures appeared to you as an advantageous non-vessel vessel: He was beyond the space of the heavens;

Canto 4

Irmos: You are my fortress, Lord, You are my strength, You are my God, You are my joy, do not leave the bowels of the Father and visit our poverty. To those with the prophet Habakkuk I call Thee: glory to Thy power, Lover of mankind.

Chorus: Our Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

The Temple of the Most Holy Spirit, Father, was thou, and the river of life is filled, the foundation is unshakable of the Church, the monastic affirmation, Sergius is worthy.

Wetting the bed prophetically with teardrops every day, glorious Sergius, until the end of the passions the abyss has dried up: the same we honor your memory, honorable and sacred.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The face of Christ's face, Reverend Sergius, was honored to see you, a mirror truly resolved: this is more and excommunicate you from the world to your beloved desire.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Bogorodichen: Grant the cleansing of our ignorance, as if you are sinless, and die your world, O God, with the prayers of the One Who gave birth to You.

Canto 5

Irmos: Thou hast thrown me away from Thy face, Light Necessary, and has the alien darkness of the accursed covered me? But turn me, and direct my path to the light of Your commandments, I pray.

Chorus: Our Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

In fasting, you were unbending, wiser, and keeping this dangerously until your departure, you were honored with the revelation of imperishable bliss.

Having a sharp mind to God, thou didst sleep on soulful passions, Father, and thou didst reap the sheaves of goodness, nourishing those who piously praise thee, Reverend Father Sergius.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Your life is bright, Reverend Sergius, and is known to all by the end of your appearance, and Divine kindness is filled, with prayers and forgiveness, and love, even to Christ the Lover of mankind.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Bogorodichen: You have the wall of your possessions, and observe Your intercession, boasting in Your Divine glory, We appease You: You, the Most Pure One, exude joy and joy to our souls.

Canto 6

Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, many of my iniquities, and from the depths of evils raise, I pray, I cry out to Thee, and hear me, O God of my salvation.

Chorus: Our Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

The memory of your creators is sacred, father, do not stop praying to the Deliverer, to grant forgiveness of sins, and accept the Kingdom of Heaven. Where the voice of the celebrating rejoices all.

We are strengthened in Christ, all the deceit of the evil one, with a firm mind, Sergius, as if you broke the network, and brightly shone the world, Father, you appeared.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

We shine with the Divine Light, and now settling in heaven with the Angels, remember by faith those who honor your memory, Reverend Sergius of ever-memorable.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Bogorodichen: Thou hast exalted a truly fallen human being, even in the image of the Divine, and the Father by equality, the visible Son of the unchangeable, the Mother of God, without a seed in the womb.

Lord, have mercy (three times). Glory now:

Kontakion, tone 8

Wounded by Christ's love, Reverend, and following this with an irrevocable desire, you hated all carnal pleasure, and you shone like the sun of your fatherland: thus Christ enrich you with the gift of miracles. Remember us, who honor your blessed memory, let us call you: Rejoice, Sergius the Wise.

Ikos

The gospel voice, father, having heard, you left all the carnal wisdom, having imputed wealth and glory like dust, and as if you were incorporeal in passion, and you were worthy of honor without flesh. Thou hast received the gift of reason, and give in songs to those who sing: Rejoice, St. Sergius and God-bearer, heavenly man, earthly angel. Rejoice, abode of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, God-given gift received by prayers. Rejoice, for having glorified the Holy Trinity before birth, glorify thee even in this life and after death. Rejoice, pillar of chastity, who trampled down every passion. Rejoice, as from young nails you followed Christ. Rejoice, advocates of salvation flowing to you. Rejoice, luminary of many light, who raised many monks to Christ. Rejoice, praise to your fatherland. Rejoice, adorned with prophecy, in a hedgehog to prophesy like a real future. Rejoice, as by your prayers resistances are overcome. Rejoice, praise and affirmation to our Orthodox army. Keep it with your prayers from the enemy hatefully, let us call you: Rejoice, Sergius the Wise.

Canto 7

Irmos: God's condescension fire was shamed in Babylon sometimes. For this reason, the children are in the cave, with a joyful foot, as if in a flower garden, rejoicing: blessed are you, God of our fathers.

Chorus: Our Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

In the cave of the temptations of kindling, the Divine grace of watering thee, Reverend, and much bright with the Trinity desire of the show, calling: blessed be the God of our fathers.

Having offended the world, glorious Sergius, thou hast lived on earth as if incorporeal, and thou hast been honored with angelic standing. We honor thee by faith, venerable.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

You entered into a quiet haven, O God-wise, you rejected worldly voyages, and you were agitated by worldly saving nourishment, singing: blessed is the God of our fathers.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Bogorodichen: The rod will sprout, Virgin, from the root of Jesse, the all-blessed fruit, bearing the color of salvation, by faith to Your Son, crying out: God bless Thou art our fathers.

Canto 8

Irmos: The cave of seven, the Chaldean tormentor, was passionately kindled by the Godly, by the best power they were saved, seeing this, crying out to the Creator and Redeemer: youths, bless, priests, sing, people, exalt for all ages.

Chorus: Our Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Your light-bearing holiday, blessed Sergius, fill with joy and spiritual joy, fragrance and enlightenment, for those who have an intercessor and monastic rule.

Thou hast risen up to God with unceasing prayer, and from there Thou hast illumined with the three-solar radiance, setting the enemies of the struggle, bringing fasting cathedrals with a new life, crying out to Christ: children bless, priests sing, people exalt Him forever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

In fasting, strong, in prayers, non-lazy patience in temptations, Sergius, you showed on earth, calling: children bless, priests sing, people exalt Him forever.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Pure Mother of God, cleanse my soul of sinful ulcers and temptations, mixing with the source, even from the ribs of Your Nativity, from which flowed streams: I call on You, and I resort to You, and I call on You, God-grace.

Canto 9

Irmos: Heaven was horrified about this, and the ends of the earth were surprised, as if God had appeared as a man in the flesh and Your womb was the most spacious of Heaven. Those are thee, the Mother of God, the Angels and the man of office are called.

Chorus: Our Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for us.

Having been filled with spiritual manifestations of light, Reverend Sergius, a shining lamp from afar appeared thou, shedding word dawns on us, and the dwelling of the Most Divine Trinity appeared to you.

Truly, thee is a great teacher, wise Sergius, Christ is a gift to the Russian countries, ruling his fatherland with an unfalse rule, and pouring out the teachings of the sweetest honey: they, like from the okrin, we, faithfully, draw unenviously.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Having conquered soulful passions, like a true shepherd, you have saved the verbal flock of Christ, and if you take out the grace of the Spirit, like nourishing the flowers of paradise, Reverend.

And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Bogorodichen: We sing Psalms to Thee, O Joyful One, and silently to Thee, rejoice, we cry out: Thou hast exuded joy to all.

Svetilen

Thou flourished, like a phoenix, David, father, and the abode appeared thou art the All-Holy Spirit, even glorious to the universe, pray unceasingly to Christ for us, who honor your most honorable memory with faith, Reverend Sergius.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. And now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

Bogorodichen: We applaud you with silent songs, Virgin, as if from the Trinity of the One, you gave birth to the Mother of God, and wear the Most Rich Word, Non-rotating and Unchanging, in your divine embrace.

Its founder, Reverend Sergius (in the world Bartholomew) was the son of the Rostov boyars Cyril and Mary, who moved closer to Moscow in the village of Radonezh. At the age of seven, Bartholomew was given to learn to read and write. He longed for learning with all his heart, but the letter was not given to him. Grieving over this, he prayed day and night to the Lord to open the door of bookish understanding for him. One day, looking for lost horses in the field, he saw an unfamiliar old man-chernoriz under an oak tree. The monk prayed. The lad approached him and told his grief. Having listened sympathetically to the boy, the elder began to pray for his enlightenment. Then, taking out the ark, he took out a small particle of prosphora and, blessing Bartholomew with it, said: “Take, child, and eat: this is given to you as a sign of the grace of God and the understanding of the Holy Scriptures.” This grace really descended on the lad: the Lord gave him memory and understanding, and the lad began to easily assimilate book wisdom. After this miracle, young Bartholomew's desire to serve only God grew even stronger. He wanted to retire, following the example of the ancient ascetics, but love for his parents kept him in his own family. Bartholomew was modest, quiet and silent, he was meek and affectionate with everyone, never irritated and showed perfect obedience to his parents. Usually he ate only bread and water, and on fasting days he completely abstained from food. After the death of his parents, Bartholomew granted an inheritance to his younger brother Peter and, together with his older brother Stefan, settled 10 miles from Radonezh, in a deep forest near the Konchura River. The brothers cut wood with their own hands and built a cell and a small church. The priest, sent by Metropolitan Theognost, consecrated this church in honor of the Holy Trinity. This is how the famous monastery of St. Sergius arose.

Soon Stefan left his brother and became rector of the Epiphany Monastery in Moscow and confessor of the Grand Duke. Bartholomew, who was tonsured a monk with the name Sergius, labored alone in the forest for about two years. It is impossible to imagine how many temptations the young monk endured at that time, but patience and prayer overcame all difficulties and diabolical misfortunes. Whole packs of wolves ran past the cell of St. Sergius, bears also came, but not one of them harmed him. One day the holy hermit gave bread to a bear that came to his cell, and from then on the beast began to constantly visit St. Sergius, who shared his last piece of bread with him.

No matter how hard Saint Sergius tried to conceal his exploits, the fame of them spread and attracted other monks to him, who wished to be saved under his guidance. They began to ask Sergius to take the rank of priest and abbot. Sergius did not agree for a long time, but seeing in their relentless request a calling from above, he said: “I would rather obey than rule, but I fear the judgment of God and betray myself to the will of the Lord.” This was in 1354, when Saint Alexei entered the chair of the Moscow Metropolitan.

The life and labors of St. Sergius in the history of Russian monasticism are of particular importance, because he laid the foundation for the life of hermits, having arranged a monastery outside the city with community life. Built on new principles, the monastery of the Holy Trinity at first suffered extreme poverty in everything; the vestments were of simple krashenina, the sacred vessels were wooden, in the temple a torch shone instead of candles, but the ascetics burned with zeal. Saint Sergius gave the brethren an example of the strictest abstinence, the deepest humility and unshakable hope in God's help. In labors and deeds, he went first, and the brethren followed him.

One day the supply of bread was completely exhausted in the monastery. The abbot himself, in order to earn a few pieces of bread, built a vestibule in the cell of one brother with his own hands. But in an hour of extreme need, through the prayers of the brethren, generous help was unexpectedly given to the monastery. A few years after the founding of the monastery, peasants began to settle around it. Not far from it there was a big road to Moscow and to the north, thanks to which the monastery's funds began to increase, and, following the example of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, it began to generously distribute alms and take care of the sick and wanderers.

The rumor about St. Sergius reached Constantinople, and Patriarch Filofey sent him his blessing and a letter, which approved the new rules of desert community life, instituted by the founder of the Holy Trinity Monastery. Metropolitan Alexei loved St. Sergius as a friend, instructed him to reconcile the warring princes, assigned important powers to him and prepared him for his successors. But Sergius refused this election.

Once, Metropolitan Alexei wanted to place a golden cross on him as a reward for his labors, but Sergius said: “From my youth I have not worn gold on myself, in my old age I want to be in poverty all the more” - and resolutely rejected this honor from himself.

Grand Duke Dimitri Ivanovich, nicknamed Donskoy, honored the Monk Sergius as a father, and asked his blessing to fight the Tatar Khan Mamai. “Go, go boldly, prince, and hope for God’s help,” the holy elder told him and gave him two of his monks as associates: Peresvet and Oslyabya, who fell heroes in the Battle of Kulikovo.

Even during his lifetime, St. Sergius performed miracles and was rewarded with great revelations. Once the Mother of God appeared to him in marvelous majesty with the apostles Peter and John and promised protection of his monastery. On another occasion, he saw an extraordinary light and many birds filling the air with harmonious singing, and received a revelation that many monks would gather in his monastery. 30 years after his blessed death (September 25, 1392), his holy relics were revealed.
available for worship at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

Epiphanius the Wise

From the "Life of St. Sergius of Radonezh"

"The Life of Sergius of Radonezh" was written by an outstanding Russian writer of the late XIV - early XV centuries. Epiphanius the Wise. From 1380 he was a monk of the Trinity Monastery, knew its founder, observed the life and work of St. Sergius until his death in 1392. Personal impressions, as well as numerous stories and legends about St. Sergius, whose records were constantly kept by Epiphanius, served as the basis for the creation around 1418 of the Life of Sergius of Radonezh, one of the best works of Russian hagiography.

Saint Sergius was born of noble and faithful parents: from a father whose name was Cyril and a mother named Maria, who were adorned with all sorts of virtues.

And a miracle happened before his birth. When the child was still in the mother's womb, one Sunday his mother entered the church during the singing of the holy liturgy. And she stood with other women in the porch, when they were supposed to start reading the holy Gospel and everyone stood silently, the baby began to cry in the womb. Before they began to sing the Cherubic Hymn, the baby began to scream a second time. When the priest proclaimed: “Let us listen, holy to the holy!” The baby screamed for the third time.

When the fortieth day after his birth came, the parents brought the child to the church of God. The priest christened him with the name Bartholomew.
The father and mother told the priest how their son, still in the womb, in the church shouted three times: “We don’t know what this means.” The priest said: "Rejoice, for there will be a child, the chosen vessel of God, the abode and servant of the Holy Trinity."

Cyril had three sons: Stefan and Peter quickly learned to read and write, but Bartholomew did not quickly learn to read. The lad prayed with tears: “Lord! Let me learn to read and write, enlighten me.

His parents were sad, his teacher was upset. Everyone was sad, not knowing the highest destiny of Divine Providence, not knowing what God wants to create. At the discretion of God, it was necessary that he received bookish teaching from God. Let's say how he learned to read and write.

When he was sent by his father to look for cattle, he saw a certain black-bearer standing and praying in the field under an oak tree. When the elder finished praying, he turned to Bartholomew: “What do you want, child?” The lad said: “The soul desires to know the letter. I'm learning to read and write, but I can't beat it. Holy Father, pray that I may learn to read and write.” And the elder answered him: “About literacy, child, do not grieve; From this day on, the Lord will grant you the knowledge of literacy.” From that hour he knew the letter well.

The servant of God Kirill used to have a great name in the Rostov region, he was a boyar, he owned great wealth, but towards the end of his life he fell into poverty. Let's also talk about why he became impoverished: because of frequent trips with the prince to the Horde, because of Tatar raids, because of heavy Horde tributes. But worse than all these troubles was the great invasion of the Tatars, and after it violence continued, because the great reign went to Prince Ivan Danilovich, and the reign of Rostov went to Moscow. And many of the Rostovites gave their property to Muscovites involuntarily. Because of this, Kirill moved to Radonezh.

Cyril's sons, Stefan and Peter, got married; the third son, the blessed young man Bartholomew, did not want to marry, but strove for a monastic life.

Stephen lived with his wife for a few years, and his wife died. Stefan soon left the world and became a monk at the Monastery of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God in Khotkovo. The blessed young man Bartholomew, having come to him, asked Stephen to go with him to look for a deserted place. Stefan obeyed and went with him.
They went around many places through the forests and finally came to one deserted place, in the thicket of the forest, where there was also water. The brothers looked around the place and fell in love with it, and most importantly, it was God who instructed them. And having prayed, they began to cut down the forest with their own hands, and on their shoulders they brought the logs to the chosen place. First they made a bed and a hut for themselves and built a roof over it, and then they built one cell, and they allotted a place for a small church and cut it down.
And the church was consecrated in the name of the Holy Trinity. Stefan lived for a short time in the desert with his brother and saw that life in the desert is difficult - in everything there is need, deprivation. Stefan went to Moscow, settled in the monastery of the Epiphany and lived very well in virtue.

And at that time Bartholomew wanted to take monastic vows. And he called to his hermitage a priest, hegumen rank. The hegumen tonsured him on the seventh day of the month of October, in memory of the holy martyrs Sergius and Bacchus. And the name was given to him in monasticism, Sergius. He was the first monk to be tonsured in that church and in that wilderness.

Sometimes he was frightened by demonic intrigues and horrors, and sometimes by attacking animals - after all, many animals lived in this desert then. Some of them passed in flocks and with a roar, and others not together, but two or three, or one after the other, passed by; some of them stood in the distance, while others came close to the blessed one and surrounded him, and even sniffed him.
Among them, one bear used to come to the reverend. The monk, seeing that it was not out of malice that the beast came to him, but in order to take something from food to feed himself, he took out a small piece of bread for the beast from his hut and put it on a stump or on a log, so that when the beast comes as usual I found food ready for myself; and he took her into his mouth and went away. When there was not enough bread and the beast that came as usual did not find the usual piece prepared for it, then it did not leave for a long time. But the bear stood looking back and forth, stubborn, like some cruel creditor who wants to get his debt. If the monk had only one piece of bread, then even then he divided it into two parts, in order to keep one part for himself and give the other to this beast; After all, then Sergius did not have a variety of food in the desert, but only bread and water from the source that was there, and even then little by little. Often there was no bread for the day; and when this happened, then they both remained hungry, the saint himself and the beast. Sometimes the blessed one did not take care of himself and remained hungry himself: although he had only one piece of bread, he threw that to this beast. And he preferred not to eat that day, but to starve, rather than to deceive this beast and let him go without food.

The blessed one endured all the trials that were sent to him with joy, thanked God for everything, and did not protest, did not lose heart in difficulties.
And then God, seeing the great faith of the saint and his great patience, took pity on him and wanted to lighten his labors in the desert: the Lord put a desire in the hearts of some God-fearing monks from the brethren, and they began to come to the saint.

But the monk not only did not accept them, but also forbade them to stay, saying: “You cannot survive in this place and you cannot endure hardships in the desert: hunger, thirst, inconvenience and poverty.” They answered: “We want to endure the difficulties of life in this place, and if God wants, then we can.” The monk again asked them: “Will you be able to endure the hardships of life in this place: hunger, and thirst, and all sorts of hardships?” They answered: “Yes, honest father, we want and we can, if God helps us and your prayers support us. Only one thing we pray to you, reverend: do not remove us from your presence and from this place, dear to us, do not drive us away.
The Monk Sergius, convinced of their faith and zeal, was surprised and said to them: “I will not drive you out, for our Savior said: “I will not cast out the one who comes to me.”

And they built each separate cell and lived for God, looking at the life of St. Sergius and imitating him to the best of their ability. The Monk Sergius, while living with his brothers, endured many hardships and accomplished great deeds and labors. He lived a harsh fasting life; his virtues were as follows: hunger, thirst, vigil, dry food, sleep on earth, purity of body and soul, silence of the mouth, careful mortification of carnal desires, bodily labors, unfeigned humility, unceasing prayer, good mind, perfect love, poverty in clothes, the memory of death, meekness with gentleness, constant fear of God.

Not very many monks gathered, no more than twelve people: among them was a certain elder Vasily, nicknamed Sukhoi, who was among the first to come from the upper reaches of Dubna; the other monk, named Jacob, nicknamed Yakut, he was a messenger, he was always sent on business, for especially necessary things, without which it was impossible to do; another was named Anisim, who was a deacon, the father of a deacon named Elisha. When the cells were built and fenced with a fence, not very large, a gatekeeper was also placed at the gate, while Sergius himself built three or four cells with his own hands.

And in all the other monastic affairs that the brethren needed, he participated: sometimes he carried firewood on his shoulders from the forest and, breaking it and chopping it, cutting it into logs, carried it around the cells. But why do I remember firewood? Indeed, it was truly amazing to see what they had then: there was a forest not far from them - not like now, but where the cells under construction were set up, here above them and the trees were, overshadowing them, rustling over them. Around the church there were many logs and stumps everywhere, but here various people sowed seeds and grew garden greens.
But let us return again to the abandoned story about the feat of St. Sergius, he, without the laziness of the brethren, served as a bought slave: he chopped firewood for everyone, and crushed grain, and baked bread, and cooked food, sewed shoes and clothes, and water in two buckets on his he carried them uphill on his shoulders, and put each one by the cell.

For a long time the brethren forced him to become hegumen. And finally heeded their pleas.

It was not by his own will that Sergius received the hegumenship, but from God he was entrusted with the administration. He did not strive for this, did not wrest the dignity from anyone, did not promise promises for this, did not give payment, as some ambitious people do, who snatch everything from each other. And Saint Sergius came to his monastery, to the monastery of the Holy Trinity.

And the blessed one began to teach the brethren. Many people from various cities and places came to Sergius and lived with him. Little by little the monastery grew, the brethren multiplied, cells were built.

The Monk Sergius multiplied his labors more and more, tried to be a teacher and performer: he went to work before anyone else, and he was the earliest to go to church singing, and he never leaned against the wall during the service.
This was the custom of the blessed one at first: after late Compline or very deep in the evening, when night was already falling, especially on dark and long nights, having completed the prayer in his cell, he left it after the prayer in order to go around all the cells of the monks. Sergius took care of his brethren, not only thought about their bodies, but also cared about their souls, wanting to know the life of each of them, and strove for God. If he heard that someone was praying, or making bows, or doing his work in silence with prayer, or reading holy books, or crying and complaining about his sins, he rejoiced for these monks, and thanked God, and prayed for them God, so that they bring their good undertakings to the end. “The one who endures,” it is said, “to the end, will be saved.”

If Sergius heard that someone was talking, having gathered two or three together, or laughing, he was indignant about this and, not enduring such a thing, would strike with his hand on the door or knock on the window and leave. In this way he let them know about his coming and visit, and by an invisible visit stopped their idle conversations.
Many years have passed, I think more than fifteen. During the reign of the great Prince Ivan, Christians began to come here, and they liked living here. They began to settle on both sides of this place, and built villages, and sowed fields. They began to visit the monastery often, bringing various necessary things. And the monk hegumen had a commandment for the brothers: do not ask the laity for food, but sit patiently in the monastery and wait for mercy from God.

The dormitory is installed in the monastery. And the blessed shepherd distributes the brethren according to the services: he appoints one cellarer, and the others in the kitchen for baking bread, he appoints another one to the weak to serve with all diligence. All this is wonderful that man arranged well. He commanded to firmly follow the commandment of the holy fathers: do not own anything of your own to anyone, do not call anything your own, but consider everything common; and the other positions were all surprisingly well arranged by the prudent father. But this is a story about his deeds, and one should not talk much about this in his life. Therefore, we will shorten the story here, and return to the previous story.

Since the wonderful father arranged all this well, the number of disciples multiplied. And the more they became, the more valuable contributions they brought: and as far as contributions increased in the monastery, so much hospitality increased. And none of the poor who came to the monastery left empty-handed. The blessed one never stopped charity and ordered the servants in the monastery to give shelter and help the needy to the poor and strangers, saying this: “If you keep this commandment of mine meekly, you will receive recompense from the Lord; and after my departure from this life, this abode of mine will grow greatly, and for many years it will stand indestructible by the grace of Christ.

So his hand was opened to those in need, like a full-flowing river with a calm current. And if someone found himself in the monastery in the winter, when the frosts are severe or the snow is swept by a strong wind, so that it is impossible to leave the cell, no matter how long he stays here because of such bad weather, he received everything he needed in the monastery. Wanderers and the poor, and especially the sick among them, lived for many days in complete peace and received food, as much as anyone needed, in abundance according to the order of the holy elder; and it still holds up to this day.
And since the roads here passed from many places, the princes, and governors, and countless warriors - all received the sufficient sincere help they needed, as from inexhaustible sources, and, setting off on a journey, they received the necessary food and sufficient drink. All this was served in abundance by the servants in the monastery of the saint. So people knew exactly where everything needed was in the temples, food and drink, and where bread and jam, and all this multiplied because of the goodness of Christ and his miraculous saint, St. Sergius.

It became known that by God's allowance for our sins, the Horde prince Mamai gathered a great force, the entire horde of godless Tatars, and goes to the Russian land; and all the people were seized with great fear. The great prince, who held the scepter of the Russian land, was then the famous and invincible great Dmitry. He 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 possessed the gift of prophecy.
The saint, when he heard about this from the Grand Duke, blessed him, armed him with prayer and said: “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. The Grand Duke replied: “If God helps me, father, I will establish a monastery in honor of the Most Pure Mother of God.” And, having said and received a blessing, he left the monastery and quickly set off.

Gathering all his warriors, he spoke out against the godless Tatars; seeing the very numerous Tatar army, they stopped in doubt, many of them were seized with fear, thinking what to do. And suddenly, at that time, a messenger appeared with a message from the saint, saying: “Without any doubt, sir, boldly enter the battle, with their ferocity, not at all afraid, God will surely help you.”

Then the great prince Dmitry and all his army, filled with great determination from this message, went against the filthy ones, and the prince said: “Great God, who created heaven and earth! Be my helper in the battle against the opponents of your holy banner. So the battle began, and many fell, but God helped the great victorious Dmitry, and the filthy Tatars were defeated, and they were completely defeated: after all, they saw the wrath and God's indignation sent against themselves, cursed by God, and everyone fled.

The crusading banner drove the enemies for a long time. Grand Duke Dmitry, having won a glorious victory, came to Sergius, bringing gratitude for good advice, glorified God and made a great contribution to the monastery.
Sergius, seeing that he was already departing to God, in order to pay off his debt to nature, to transfer his spirit to Jesus, called on the brotherhood and led a proper conversation, and, having made a prayer, he committed his soul to the Lord in the year 6900 (1392) of the month of September on the 25th day.

Notes:

1. This story from the "Life of Sergius of Radonezh" served as the plot of the famous painting by M.V. Nesterov "Vision to the youth Bartholomew."

2. In the XIII-XIV centuries. Rostov princes, like many other rulers of North-Eastern Russia, were forced to travel regularly to the Horde, to seek confirmation of their rights to reign. It cost them considerable expenses, including gifts for the khan and his close associates.

3. We are talking about the invasion of the Tatar army in response to the uprising in Tver in 1327, after which Ivan Kalita received a label for a great reign and annexed part of the Rostov principality to his possessions.

4. Radonezh - a city in the Moscow principality in the XIV-XV centuries, subsequently fell into decay and was no longer referred to as a city. At present, there is a village on the site of ancient Radonezh (4 km east of the Abramtsevo station, not far from Sergiyev Posad, where the Trinity-Sergius Lavra is located).

5. One of the oldest monasteries in the Moscow region. Known since the beginning of the 14th century. The buildings of the monastery have survived to this day in the city of Khotkovo (8 km south of Sergiev Posad).

6. The Epiphany Monastery was founded at the end of the 13th century. east of the Moscow Kremlin. The cathedral of the monastery of the 17th century has been preserved.

7. Sergius and Bacchus - dignitaries of the Roman emperor Maximus (286-310), who, having learned that they were Christians, sent them to the ruler of Syria, Antiochus, known for his harshness towards the adherents of Christ. There they were tortured and beheaded. In memory of one of them, Sergius of Radonezh adopted his monastic name, which was very rare in contemporary Russia.

8. Reverend - we are talking about Sergius.
9. Here is Vespers, a church service celebrated in the evening.

10 This refers to the reign of Ivan Kalita (1325-1340).

11. The communal charter existed in a number of ancient monasteries of the Orthodox East. In accordance with it, the monks gave all their property to the monastery, led a common household, had a common meal. The community was adopted in the first monasteries in Russia, in particular in the Kiev-Pechersk. However, in the XIV century. in Russian monasteries, the “special life” of monks spread, when each of them lived separately, kept property, ate separately, etc. Sergius of Radonezh introduced a dormitory in the Trinity Monastery founded by him. The same charter was introduced in other monasteries founded by him and his students.

12. Love for strangers, pilgrims, the poor, the desire to give them alms.

13. The most detailed description of the blessing of Dmitry Donskoy by Sergius of Radonezh before the Battle of Kulikovo is described in the “Tale of the Battle of Mamaev”. It also says that Sergius sent with Dmitry two warrior monks, Peresvet and Oslyabya, who became the heroes of the Battle of Kulikovo.