St. Barnabas of Gethsemane, life, spiritual teachings. Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane: “A prophet in his own country. Arrangement of the Iverskaya monastery on Vyk-se

Vasily Ilyich Merkulov (monastic name Varnava) was born on January 24, 1831 in the village. Prudishchi, Tula region, near the places where the founders of our city, the Batashev brothers-breeders, came to Vyksa.

Childhood and adolescence.

Vasily's parents, Ilya and Daria Merkulov, were serfs. Good and God-fearing people, they rejoiced at the birth of their son and named him in honor of Saint Basil the Great.
As the elder recalled his childhood, he was a nimble and active boy. Devout parents sent their boy to a school of psalmists, where he studied the Book of Hours and the Book of Psalms. Some time later, the landowner, the owner of the Merkulovs, sells them to the village of Naro-Fominskoye, Moscow province. The new owner, Prince Shcherbatov, orders the teenager to be taught plumbing.
In his free time from his craft, Vasily visits the nearby Zosimova Hermitage and meets a hermit - a monkGeronti I eat. This forces him to make a decisive change in life - to devote himself to serving God.

Novice of the Gethsemane monastery.

He was especially confirmed in this when in 1850 he visited the Trinity - Sergius Lavra with his mother. A year later, Vasily went there together with Gerondiy, who decided to end his life near the relics of Sergius of Radonezh, and in 1852, with the blessing of the governor of the Lavra, Anthony moved to the Gethsemane monastery, located three west from the Lavra. This monastery lived according to the rules of the Sarov Hermitage, described by the Sarov elder Paisius the Great.
During his stay at the monastery, the monk Daniel (Skhimovsky) had a particularly great influence on the future elder.
On February 17, 1856, Vasily received a letter of release, that is, freedom from the landowner.
On December 23, 1857, he became a novice. And only almost ten years later, after the death of Elder Daniel, Vasily took monastic vows and subsequently carried out the feat of eldership under the name Barnabas (“child of mercy, son of consolation”).
The monk took monastic vows on November 27, 1866, on the day of the celebration of the icon of the Mother of God of the Sign. He was tonsured a hieromonk on January 20, 1872.

People's confessor.

In 1871, Barnabas was ordained as a hierodeacon, on January 10, 1872, as a hieromonk, and some time later, the governor of the Lavra confirmed him in the rank of national confessor of the Caves of the Gethsemane monastery.
From this moment on, Barnabas's fame among believers began. Pilgrims from many parts of Russia come for his blessing. In the testimonies of contemporaries who communicated with him, we find many examples of the Elder’s foresight. In January 1905, the martyr Emperor Nicholas II himself went to confession to Barnabas.

Organizer of the Iveron Monastery on Vyksa.

Eldership in Rus' was a special form of monasticism. The elders left behind not only a purely spiritual, but also a material embodiment of this spirituality - monasteries that lived under their influence.
A lot of effort and work about. Barnabas contributed to the creation of our Iversky convent. The monastery traces its history back to 1863, when the first nuns appeared in the almshouse that was built here.
Thanks to the efforts of the elder, by the beginning of the 20th century the monastery began to flourish.

On February 17, 1906, the elder passed away. And on the 19th, in response to the request of the sisters of the Iveron Monastery to bury the elder within the walls of the monastery, the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod responded with a telegram that the deceased would be buried in the brotherly cemetery of the Gethsemane Skete.
In 1913, the question was raised about renaming the Vyksa Convent Iversky Varnavsky Convent. But his decision was apparently hindered by war and revolution.

Canonization.

In 1989, the Council raised the question of the canonization of Hieromonk Barnabas. After studying the materials, the Chairman of the canonization commission, Metropolitan Yuvenaly, reported to Patriarch Alexy II about the possibility of canonizing Elder Barnabas.
On September 30, 1994, the Patriarch sent a letter to the Viceroy of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Archimandrite Theognost, in which he said that the commission unanimously came to the conclusion about the possibility of canonizing Hieromonk Varnava (Merkulov) among the venerable saints of the Moscow diocese in the host of Radonezh saints.
In 1995, on the day of the Council of Radonezh Saints, in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, His Holiness the Patriarch performed the canonization of Hieromonk Varnava (Merkulov).

(http://vyksa.nne.ru/Varnava.htm)

Elder St. Barnabas of Gethsemane - spiritual father of St. Seraphim Vyritsky (Muravyov)

Elder Varnava blessed Vasily Muravyov to be his spiritual son.

Fr. looked with spiritual joy. Varnava for the spiritual success of Vasily Muravyov and generously shared his spiritual experience with him, preparing him for monasticism. With the blessing of their spiritual father, the Muravyov spouses were to take monastic vows when difficult trials befell Russia. The years spent under the guidance of the elder became the time when a solid foundation was laid on which the further spiritual growth of Vasily Muravyov took place.
...October 26, 1920 Bishop Veniamin blessed to tonsure novice Vasily Muravyov into monasticism at the same time as Olga Muravyova, and on October 29, 1920, the Lavra’s abbot, Archimandrite Nikolai (Yarushevich), tonsured novice Vasily Muravyov into monasticism and gave him the name Varnava (in the schema Seraphim) in honor of the spiritual father, Elder Barnabas of Gethsemane. At the same time, in the Resurrection Novodevichy Monastery in Petrograd, Olga Ivanovna Muravyova was tonsured into monasticism and given the name Christina (in the schema of Seraphim).
It's finished! Vasily Nikolaevich Muravyov’s cherished wish came true. The goal that he had persistently and patiently pursued for almost forty-five years was achieved.

Portrait of St. Barnabas	Cancer with a particle of the relics of St. Barnabas in the Iversky Temple

PRAYER

Saint Barnabas of Gethsemane

O Reverend Father Barnavo, our meek and comforting shepherd, merciful helper and warm prayer for us! You were a child of God's blessing from an early age, and you showed the image of obedience to your parents, obedience to the Lord and service to your neighbors. Having loved the commandments of the Lord, you flowed to the Lavra of St. Sergius, and his faithful disciple appeared. In the monastery of the Mother of God, by the command of the abbot, Abba Anthony, you acquired the spirit of humility, meekness and patience, and you received the gift of reasoning and insight into spiritual thoughts from God. This is the monastery of the spiritual incident, and the creator is the habit of and the abilities of and the devices of the river and all the suffering and more sickly the virgin and the trustee of the minor, letting the laugh for up to the hour, was Yes. After your repose, God showed many mercies to those who honor your memory and granted you faithfulness to the monks. Moreover, we pray to Thee, righteous Father, as first of all, intercede before God with Thy prayers for all people in every rank to acquire a consoling spirit and for everyone to gain: obedience to the young and to the whole Keep your spirit with the fear of God; in the age of existence - the love of God and agreement to acquire; for those who are hungry - not only to be satisfied with their daily bread, but especially to be satisfied with the word of God; for those who cry - be comforted; an exile and a wanderer - to find shelter; in prison for beings - to be freed from bonds; pious - to grow in the Spirit of God and achieve humility. Descend to us in all the paths of our lives, and above all, beg our Lord for the forgiveness of our sins and untruths and direct our feet to the light of God’s commandments, so that with one heart and lips we may glorify The Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Troparion, voice 5:

From your youth you loved God more purely, / you were a son of consolation, like Father Barnabas. / According to your name, your life became: / to whom you have appeared to the afflicted, to the poor, and to the king, / you have appeared as a meek shepherd, a comforter and a healer. / Remember us, gracious father, / and through your warm prayers / God, the Giver of Life, grant us // consolation and great mercy.

Kontakion, voice 2:

To the sorrowful man of the Russian land, the Venerable Sergius, / from his youth you followed, O Saint Barnabas, / and the covenant of your elder, this rekshago: / this is what God wants: / feed with words and bread those who are hungry,/ truly you have fulfilled it to the end. / For this reason, even now we pray to you, / do not abandon us, comforting father, // with your heavenly love.

Good and God-fearing people, they rejoiced at the birth of their son and named him in honor of Saint Basil the Great. As the elder himself recalled his childhood, he was a nimble and active boy. Devout parents sent their boy to a school of psalmists, where he studied the Book of Hours and the Book of Psalms.

Some time later, the landowner, the owner of the Merkulov serfs, sells them to Prince Shcherbatov in the village of Naro-Fominskoye, Moscow province. The new owner orders the teenager to be taught plumbing. In his free time from his craft, Vasily visits the nearby Zosimova Hermitage and meets the hermit - the monk Gerondiy. This forces him to make a decisive change in life - to devote himself to serving God.

He was especially confirmed in this when in 1850 he visited the Trinity-Sergius Lavra with his mother. A year later, Vasily went there together with Gerondiy, who decided to end his life near the relics of Sergius of Radonezh, and in 1852, with the blessing of the governor of the Lavra, Anthony moved to the Gethsemane monastery, located three west from the Lavra.

During his stay at the monastery, the monk Daniil Schimovsky had a particularly great influence on the future elder. On February 17, 1856, Vasily received a letter of release, that is, freedom from the landowner.

On December 23, 1857, he became a novice, and only almost ten years later, on November 20, 1866, after the death of Elder Daniel, he took monastic vows with the name Varnava (child of mercy, son of comfort).

In 1871, Barnabas was ordained a hierodeacon, on January 10, 1872, a hieromonk, and some time later, the governor of the Lavra confirmed him in the title of national confessor of the Caves of the Gethsemane monastery.

From this moment on, Barnabas's fame among believers began. Pilgrims from many parts of Russia come for his blessing. In the testimonies of contemporaries who communicated with him, there are many examples of the elder’s foresight. People began to flock to him from everywhere, and he refused to help and edify anyone. Every day he received from 500 to 1000 people, finding for everyone the necessary words of consolation and reconciliation with God.
The elder became famous throughout Russia. After the events of January 9, 1905, Tsar Nicholas II and his family visited him. The Tsar went to Elder Barnabas of Gethsemane at the Chernigov monastery at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, with two adjutants. Confession and conversation remained secret; the only thing that is reliable in church tradition: and It is known that Nicholas II received the blessing to accept the end of martyrdom.

Father Varnava put a lot of effort and labor into creating the Vyksa Iversky Women's Monastery. The monastery traces its history back to 1863, when there, in the almshouse that was built, the first nuns appeared. Thanks to the efforts of the elder, by the beginning of the 20th century the monastery began to flourish. Assistant to Fr. Barnabas, his spiritual son V.N. became involved in the establishment of the new monastery. Muravyov (Venerable Seraphim Vyritsky) . Today St. Barnabas is considered the heavenly patron of the city of Vyksa, Nizhny Novgorod province.

Predictions about. Barnabas came true with amazing accuracy. Thus, many were warned in advance by him about the coming persecution for the faith that befell the Russian Church during the Soviet period. His further predictions are also known: “And the time of prosperity will come. Temples will begin to be built again.

There will be blossoming before the end.”

His insight was such that he saw the contents of the letter without opening it, so he did not even give his blessing to open some letters, saying: “There is no need to answer this letter.” He looked after mainly the merchants and philistines - the urban middle class. But Barnabas also had Vladimir Solovyov as a spiritual son (until 1892). Vladimir Solovyov was not forgiven for his “friendship” with Catholics, participation in Catholic mass, communion, and so on. He was called to the porch of Barnabas and was told: “Now confess to your priests.”

Secretly, Solovyov converted to Catholicism, he believed that the division of churches was not for him, Solovyov ignored this. His last confession, however, was accepted by an Orthodox priest and his funeral service was performed according to the Orthodox rite, as if “not knowing” about this; Hieromonk Peter Zverev, the future Solovetsky hieromartyr (canonized at the Council of 2000), took part in the funeral service.

The elder's service culminated in his blessed death at the altar in front of the Holy See in 1906 on February 17 (n.s. March 2). He was buried in the Iverskaya cave chapel, where during his life he loved to pray. After the discovery of his relics, a life-giving spring flowed from the grave, bringing healing to many today from various ailments. The old man’s house has miraculously survived to this day and bestows warmth and hospitality on the monastery’s pilgrims.

In 1989, at the Council of Bishops, the question of the canonization of Hieromonk Varnava was raised. After studying the materials, the Chairman of the canonization commission, Metropolitan Yuvenaly, reported to Patriarch Alexy II about the possibility of canonizing Elder Barnabas. In 1995, on the day of the Council of Radonezh Saints, in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Rus' IIThe canonization of Hieromonk Varnava (Merkulov) took place.

Higumen Varnava (Stolbikov), the artistic director of the famous Orthodox choir and ensemble of the Engineering Troops of the RF Armed Forces “For Faith and Fatherland,” was “introduced” to me by Hieromartyr German (Ryashentsev). I collected information about Bishop Herman this fall in Syktyvkar, Moscow and the Moscow region, and thus found out that Abbot Varnava is the great-nephew of the Russian new martyr. And having visited Father Varnava at a service in one of the Moscow churches, she received an invitation to visit the military unit 55591 of the engineering troops of the camouflage regiment of the Krasnogorsk district of Moscow, where he currently lives and works.

Behind the scenes

Taking into account the peculiarities of traffic on the capital's roads, we left Moscow long before the meeting time. Therefore, we arrived in the village of Inzhenerny at the appointed time. While waiting for Father Varnava, we even had time to walk a little and appreciate the beauty of the local landscape. Father himself came out to meet us and immediately took us to the military club. Suddenly finding myself in an active creative atmosphere, I first try to understand what is happening: in one part of the building there is a choir rehearsal, in the other - soldiers are working on painting icons. Military personnel crowd around the stands with books of Orthodox literature and are enthusiastically discussing something.

I imagined famous artists, but I saw ordinary guys in military uniform

Father Barnabas, asking us to wait, continued his lesson with the choir. By this time, I was a little familiar with the work of the famous group, but I understood that, through the prayer of the Hieromartyr Herman, I had a rare opportunity - to visit the very heart of a unique creative union, to see, as they say, the unceremonious, everyday life of the choir. Formed in 1993 with the support of the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Chief of the Engineering Troops, Colonel General V.P. Kuznetsov, over the 24 years of its existence, the choir has nine times become a laureate of international competitions and festivals of Orthodox music in Poland, Belarus, Spain, Italy, and Russia. Lieutenant General Yu.M. Stavitsky, who is currently the chief of the Engineering Troops, attaches particular importance to the development of a unique team. Thanks to his direct participation, the choir performs at leading concert venues in Russia and abroad. The Orthodox military team takes part in the Christmas international readings in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, as well as cultural events of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. In a word, on the eve of the meeting, getting acquainted with the track record of the choir, I imagined eminent artists crowned with fame and recognition, but at the rehearsal I saw... ordinary guys in military uniform. Someone, having climbed onto the last row during a rehearsal, gave the soldier’s cat Vaska the opportunity to sleep, someone was unable to sing the chant of the Divine Liturgy “Trisagion” in unison. The explanation for this was simple - the choir “For Faith and Fatherland” consists of soldiers undergoing military service, and the team of the military musical family is constantly changing.

– But how does your choir always stay on top? – I quietly ask the priest.

– This is due to the fact that the backbone of our team has already been formed. After finishing their service, while studying in musical institutions, our students do not lose touch with the choral family - they come, practice with soldiers, and participate in concerts,” explains Father Varnava.

While I am in the military unit, rehearsals follow one after another.

“We are constantly preparing for some events,” says the priest. “Tomorrow, for example, we are waiting for our soldiers to return from exercises, and on this occasion we will have a concert in our unit.

Taking advantage of the opportunity while the priest was busy at choir rehearsal, I decided to explore this unusual army world.

Icon painting works

At that time, Alexander Arkhipov and Sergei Kruglov were working in the icon-painting workshop.

Alexander is from Perm. Graduated from the Orthodox St. Tikhon's Humanitarian University. He studied at the Faculty of Church Arts, at the Department of Icon Painting. I dreamed of getting into this particular unit, so I turned to the Synodal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate for work with the Armed Forces in order to serve without interruption from my main activity - icon painting.

– Now I’m finishing work on drawing the icons for painting. These images will be in the iconostasis of the new temple, you will see it later,” says Alexander.

– You will serve here, and then where? - I ask the young man.

– I hope to get a job at an icon-painting workshop in Moscow or in an artel that paints churches. Before serving in the army, I worked in one of these.

His assistant Sergei is from the city of Khimki, Moscow region.

“I’m now working on gilding the icon - I’m covering it with a solution, onto which I will later apply gold leaf plates,” comments Sergei.

– Where did you learn the basics of icon painting? - I ask.

– For two years I trained as a designer-artist, this helps me a lot in my work now. But before the army, I studied at the institute to become a theater and film actor. And here I do not interrupt my creative life: I sing in the choir, and help in the icon-painting workshop, and take part in concerts. And after completing my military service, I am going to continue studying acting and also engage in my personal creativity in parallel.

Having joined us during a conversation with icon painters, Father Varnava shows a number of ready-made icons and leads us to the house church under construction in honor of the “Sovereign” icon of the Mother of God.

“Here our soldiers strengthened the walls and insulated the roof. While the construction of the temple is underway, services are held in our camp church,” says the priest.

“You have such grandfathers!”

All the time I was communicating with Abbot Varnava, I had the feeling that the priest seemed to be repeating the path of his holy grandfather, the Hieromartyr Herman, who also loved church singing and devoted a lot of time to it. From the biography of Vladyka Herman, I also knew that he was involved in the care of military ranks located in reserve battalions. And he was even seconded to the Mogilev military local church “to perform pastoral duties,” where he spent July and August 1915.

“Circumstances developed in such a way that when the revolution began, Vladika Herman went to the active army,” says Father Varnava. – In terms of difficulty and significance, he compared this trip with the journey of the Apostle Paul.

– Father, did Hieromartyr Herman influence your choice of the monastic path? - I ask.

– My choice of the monastic path, of course, is connected with both Vladika Herman and his brother, Vladyka Varlaam. But the understanding of this did not come immediately... Although my childhood passed in a house built by my grandmother, Vera Stepanovna Ryashentseva, in Sergiev Posad, that is, next to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and Bethany, where Hieromartyr Herman worked as the rector of the Bethany Theological Seminary.

But first I followed the musical path - I studied at the Faculty of History, Theory and Composition of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, then in graduate school. There was a period in my life when I taught at the music school in the city of Tver and even headed the theoretical section. We can say that pursuing scientific work in the field of music led me to choose a spiritual path over time.

Other circumstances that convinced my interlocutor to choose the path of monastic activity were related to the events in the life of his family:

“I was married,” the priest shares his secret, “but my wife and I had no children.” And then one day my wife told me: “You have such grandfathers! Apparently, worldly life is not your path.” And when I came and conveyed my wife’s words to my spiritual father, the elder of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Moses (Bogolyubov), he was surprised and admired her wisdom: “Did she really say that? - Hieroschemamonk Moses exclaimed. “Yes, she’s great!” Then Elder Moses, turning to me, often liked to repeat this phrase: “You have such grandfathers!”

Years of obedience passed for Father Barnabas in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra:

“I was a cell attendant with Elder Moses, I took monastic vows in the Smolensk Zosimova Hermitage in the Vladimir Region, which was located on the territory of a military unit,” the priest recalls the events of his life that occurred more than 20 years ago.

At some point, the question arose about how warriors and monks could interact, and the commander of a military unit raised the question of calling seminary students to military service in the unit adjacent to the monastery.

– The first 13 seminarians were called, but these young men also turned out to be singers. So, in 1993, the choir “For Faith and Fatherland” was born,” says Abbot Varnava.

A year ago, the Orthodox soldiers’ choir of the engineering troops “For Faith and Fatherland,” together with its artistic and spiritual director, Abbot Varnava, was transferred by order of the chief of the engineering troops from the Vladimir region to one of the central parts of the Moscow region, where we met with the priest. Hieromartyr Herman also “moved” here with him.

Student years

At some point in our conversation, the priest asks the soldier to bring a red folder. As it turned out, behind it was hidden the thesis of the then student of the Orthodox St. Tikhon’s Humanitarian University, Hieromonk Varnava (Stolbikov), “Outstanding hierarchs and ministers of the church in their spiritual and historical connections with the Zosima Hermitage.” And one of the chapters of the diploma was called “Bishop Vyaznikovsky, and Zosimova Monastery.”

From the biography of Bishop Herman it is known that he often visited the Smolensk Zosimov hermitage, where at that time two famous elders became involved - schema-abbot Herman and hieroschemamonk Alexy. Both are now glorified saints. Bishop Herman especially often visited the Gethsemane monastery, with the rector of which, Abbot Israel, he had especially close friendly relations.

The supervisor of Hieromonk Varnava’s diploma was Irina Ivanovna Kovaleva.

Together with his teacher, Father Barnabas prepared the lives of St. Herman and Alexy Zosimovsky and wrote a troparion to Alexy Zosimovsky. The priest also became the author of the troparion and kontakion for his great-uncle, Bishop Herman. The time he worked on his diploma was part of the priest’s army and monastic life:

“I had to negotiate with the leadership of the monastery so that I could serve often and then go to Moscow for a week. Here I worked on my diploma at night and worked in the archives during the day. “Today, my thesis—a weighty work in a red binding—travels everywhere with my father.

– How many rare and unique photographs of the holy martyr do you have in your work! – I cannot contain my surprise, leafing through the scientific work of Abbot Barnabas.

Among the graduates of the Kazan Theological Academy I see young Nikolai Ryashentsev (future martyr Herman) next to his brother, Hieromonk Varlaam (Ryashentsev).

One of the old photos shows Hierodeacon German (Ryashentsev) with Archimandrite Theodore (Pozdeevsky).

“Thanks to Archimandrite Pozdeevsky, Bishop Herman’s transfer to Bethany Seminary was completed,” says Father Varnava. “Together with him they wrote an akathist to Daniil of Moscow, and he, as you know, is the heavenly patron of the engineering troops. This is the connection again with my current life and my work with warriors. We are asking for permission to build part of the cathedral in honor of Daniel of Moscow.

But still, the main goal of working on the chapter of the diploma on the holy martyr Herman, according to the priest, was to capture in memory some unique events from the life of his grandfather, memories of which were kept in his family.

When they shot him, they couldn’t kill him and buried him alive in the ground.

– What events from the life of Vladika Herman were you able to reconstruct? - I ask Father Barnabas.

– So, our relatives told me about my grandfather’s first arrest. Vladyka German was already expecting that he was going to be arrested, and was in great tension in the house of our relatives in Sergiev Posad.

My grandmother communicated with a novice of the Akatov Monastery, Tatyana Kharlamova, who accompanied Bishop Herman on his first exile to Siberia, and she also came to him during his last exile in Syktyvkar. She told horrific information about the execution of the bishop: when they shot him, they could not kill him. And then they buried him alive in the ground. And for a week a groan was heard. These are the details she provided. Although our family has different attitudes towards this information... Novice Tatyana brought and handed over to my grandmother the black monastic shirt of Bishop Herman. In memory of the Hieromartyr Herman, among the special relics in our family there was also a wooden cross made by the Bishop during the years of his numerous exiles.

On the path of the martyr

Father Barnabas even made an attempt to follow the path of the Hieromartyr Herman. Often this work coincided with the touring activities of the “For Faith and Fatherland” choir.

– Not so long ago, the choir and I went to Kazan and sang in the Kazan Cathedral, where Bishops Herman and Varlaam probably visited. In the archives of the Kazan Theological Academy, I was able to get acquainted with the articles of Bishop Herman. I know that the dissertations of Bishops Herman and Varlaam have also been preserved. You just need to make an effort and research this issue...

In 2014, Father Barnabas became seriously ill and was no longer able to continue his work collecting information about Bishop Herman.

– But the Lord is keeping me alive for now... Thank God! - the father shares.

Great joy for Father Barnabas was the news that a series of publications about Bishop Herman in the year of the 80th anniversary of his martyrdom was published on the Pravoslavie.ru portal, and the site of the supposed burial of Hieromartyr Herman in the old cemetery in Syktyvkar was arranged.

“It’s a miracle that this work to perpetuate the memory of the saint has received a new impetus,” my interlocutor admits with excitement.

"An entire military diocese"

The time of our communication with the priest was coming to an end. It so happened that we started the conversation in a small circle, and ended it with a large gathering of the priest’s spiritual children - they came to visit Father Barnabas and quietly waited for their turn, carefully listening to our conversation. Among them I met Natalya Zakharova, a parishioner of Father Barnabas. Natasha attended the services of Hegumen Varnava back in the Zosimova Hermitage and on the day of our meeting she came to ask for the priest’s blessings and prayers before a long pilgrimage trip.

During this time, over 140 former soldiers became clergy

Among our listeners were Maxim Vtyurin and Andrey Makushchenko. According to the young men, after finishing their service in the military unit, they have been visiting the priest for the sixth year now - to hear the advice of their spiritual father in difficult life situations - and once a month they always try to get to him for confession.

Maxim has already graduated from seminary. Andrey has been studying for the last year at the Nikolo-Perervinsky Theological Seminary. Father Barnabas has no doubts about the further fate of the young men:

“During this time, over 140 of our former soldiers became clergy. An entire military diocese! - the priest jokes.

On such a positive note, we said goodbye to the priest, his students and spiritual children. And after returning home, to the North, I began to follow with interest the touring activities of the choir and ensemble “For Faith and Fatherland”, cheering for them at competitions, because this story of my heroes, thanks to the Russian new martyr, has now become a part of my life too .

ELDER BARNABAS - GETHSEMANE WONDERWORKER. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" December 23, 1857 young Vasily (that was the name of the elder in the world) became a novice of the Gethsemane monastery of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and only almost ten years later, on November 20, 1866, he took monastic vows under the name Barnabas. In 1871, Barnabas was ordained as a hierodeacon, on January 10, 1872. as a hieromonk, and some time later, the governor of the Lavra confirmed him in the title of national confessor of the Caves of Gethsemane. From that moment, Barnabas’s fame among believers began to come for his blessing. He called all the men who came “My sons.” women “My daughters.” People called him “The Wise Simpleton”! Among the “sons” of Elder Barnabas was the last Russian Emperor, Nicholas the Second. In January 1905, literally a year before the death of Elder Barnabas, Emperor Nicholas II came to the monastery. visited the famous elder. Elder Barnabas received Emperor Nicholas in his cell. Of course, it remains unknown what the holy-king-passion-bearer Nicholas was talking about with the holy venerable elder. It will only become known that the elder predicted the king’s martyrdom and blessed the king for this martyrdom. For almost 20 years, the holy Venerable Seraphim of Vyritsky himself was under the spiritual guidance of Elder Barnabas, and thanks to Elder Varnava, Hieromonk Seraphim grew into a great saint of God. The testimonies of contemporaries who communicated with Elder Barnabas contain many examples of the elder’s foresight. Father Barnabas predicted the abbess to one of the visitors, and consoled another, who was crying about his son, who, out of unreasonable jealousy, rushed to Africa to help the Boers: “Well, why are you crying? Your son will be brought to Moscow tomorrow with other comrades to such and such a station.” The third he lovingly convicted of hidden sin: “Good lady, stop smoking your tobacco, and you will be golden to me.” And one day he sat a young man down next to him and suddenly hugged him in a fatherly way: “You are my dear, an ascetic, you are a confessor of God.” Years later, his visitor Ilya Chetverukhin will become the rector of the Moscow Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi, and after persecution, arrests and exile, he will receive the crown of martyrdom in one of the Perm camps. On some days, the visitors waiting to be received by Father Barnabas closed their ranks so tightly that even his mother, the meek, humble elder schema-nun Daria, after several unsuccessful attempts to squeeze through the crowd of people, quietly retreated to a corner and hid behind them. And a minute later, as an admonition to the ladies who pushed her aside, the high, clear voice of the priest was heard: “Where is the “nun”? Skip the “nun”... Mother, are you really waiting in line? Why are you abandoning your son! I’m not giving up on you!” The elder loved to pray every free minute. He also prayed during his labors mentally or in a whisper. He constantly repented of his sins and fasted daily throughout his life. But the elder carefully hid all these exploits from the world, from human eyes. Before his death in 1906, he predicted the persecution of the godless authorities against the Church: “There will be terrible persecutions against our Church and there will be destruction of churches.” Persecution against faith will continually increase. Grief and darkness unheard of until now will cover everything and everyone, and churches will be closed. But when it becomes unbearable to endure, liberation will come. The time will come to flourish. Temples will begin to be built again. There will be an unprecedented flourishing of the Church of Christ. Before the end there will be this blossoming. Elder Varnava founded another monastery, the Vyksa Women's Monastery, in honor of the Iverskaya Icon of the Mother of God in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The site for the future monastery was marked with a twig by the Monk Barnabas of Gethsemane in the fall of 1863. In 1864, an almshouse for 12 people was built on this site at the expense of merchants. The community grew, new buildings appeared, and the Monk Barnabas sent the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, blessing the community to be called Iveron. At the beginning of the 20th century, a list measuring one and a half by two meters was made in the icon-painting workshop of the monastery. The copy from the icon became famous as miraculous; the icon given by Father Barnabas has not survived. In the city of Vyksa, a monument to Elder Barnabas was erected. On March 2, (and according to the old style on February 17), 1906, Elder Barnabas died in the altar of the temple right at the altar after he performed the sacrament of confession in the temple. They buried him in the cave of the very Gethsemane skete in which he served, and his holy relics now rest in the temple there. In 1989, the Russian Orthodox Church raised the issue of canonizing the holy elder Barnabas. For six years, materials about the elder and testimonies of spiritual help and healing from those people who revered the elder were collected. In 1995, Elder Barnabas was canonized as one of the holy reverend fathers. PRAYER TO REVEREND BARNABA O Reverend Father Barnabas, our meek and comforting shepherd, merciful helper and warm prayer book for us! You were a child of God's blessing from an early age, and you showed the image of obedience to a parent, obedience to the Lord and service to others. Having loved the commandments of the Lord, you flocked to the Lavra of St. Sergius, and you appeared as his faithful disciple. While staying in the monastery of the Mother of God by the command of Abbot Anthony, you acquired the spirit of humility, meekness and patience, and you received the gift of reasoning and insight into spiritual thoughts from God. For this reason, you were a spiritual mentor to the monastics, the creator of the nuns of the Iverskaya monastery on Vyksa River, and to all the suffering and sick, you were a healer and merciful guardian even until the hour of death. After your repose, God will show many mercies to those who honor your memory, and the monk teacher of you will be faithful to you. In the same way, we pray to Thee, righteous Father, as before, intercede before God with Thy prayers for all people in every rank to acquire the spirit of comfort and gain for everyone: for the young, to preserve obedience and chastity through the fear of God; in the age of existence - the love of God and the consent to acquire; for those who are hungry to be satisfied not only with their daily bread, but especially with the word of God; for those who cry - to be comforted; an exile and a wanderer - to find shelter; in prison beings - to be freed from bonds; for the pious - to grow in the Spirit of God and achieve humility. Descend to us in all the paths of our life, and moreover, beg our Lord for the forgiveness of our sins and untruths and direct our feet to the light of God’s commandments, so that with one heart and mouth we glorify the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

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Kontakion 1

The chosen saint of Christ and the wonderful wonderworker, the great teacher of the ascetics of the Russian land and our intercessor, we praise you with love, Rev. Father Barnavo. But you, who have great boldness towards the Lord, free us from all troubles with your prayers, and let us call to you:

Ikos 1

The Creator of angels and Creator of all creation, the Lord, having foreseen your life as equal to the angels, O Reverend, from your youth chose you to serve Him in reverence and truth, and see to adorn you with many heavenly gifts: drive away demons, heal ailments, comfort the afflicted, soften hardened hearts. Also from us, unworthy, receive praise and make a prayer for the salvation of the souls of all who honor your memory with love, may we magnify you:

Rejoice, living for the glory of God; Rejoice, illuminated by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, thou who countest earthly vanity for nothing; Rejoice, beloved heavenly treasure. Rejoice, zealot of the exploits of the venerable fathers; Rejoice, spiritual successor of the wondrous elders and mentors. Rejoice, kind and long-suffering shepherd; Rejoice, diligent worker of Christ’s grapes. Rejoice, thou blessed with the gift of miracles; Rejoice, wonderful imitator of the life of the angels. Rejoice, O God-given prayer book for the whole Russian land; Rejoice, thou crowned with the crown of glory from the Lord.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 2

Seeing the Lord, your soul was prepared to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit, as if you were following the path of piety by your will, in which you were instructed by your Christ-loving parents, who from your youth kept you in illness and adversity. From your small years you glorified the All-Bountiful God, the Physician of souls and bodies, singing to Him the song: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Having had a mind illuminated by the grace of God from youth, you, Reverend Father, came to the elder Gerontius, may he direct you to the path of true life and bless you for spiritual deeds. You found in him the monastic work of a good mentor, obeying his fatherly advice and putting aside all worldly cares, you learned prayer and humility. Moreover, honoring your memory, we call you this:

Rejoice, God-given consolation to the parents of the pious Elijah and Daria; Rejoice, you who were well brought up by them in the faith and passion of God. Rejoice, wonderfully preserved from death by the power of God; Rejoice, you who have been drunk from childhood with the teachings of piety. Rejoice, loving the Lord with all your heart; Rejoice, having tasted the sweetness of prayer from a young age. Rejoice, you who direct your soul towards God; Rejoice, having acquired Christian virtues from your youth. Rejoice, adorned with faith, hope and love from childhood; Rejoice, you who have received the good yoke of Christ upon yourself. Rejoice, for through obedience to the elder you cultivated humility in yourself; Rejoice, for from your youth you prepared yourself for monasticism.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 3

The power of God strengthened you, reverend father, when you followed the advice of Elder Gerontius, you left your fatherland and home and moved into the monastery of the Trinity-Sergius, where you continued in fasting, prayer, tireless work and vigil and conquered all temptations of the world, singing to the only God : Hallelujah.

Ikos 3

Have the elders-mentors of the godly wise Gregory and Daniel, you received the prophecy from them, reverend, as you will guide many to salvation. You served faithfully as your mentor until their very death, patiently pursuing an ascetic life and ascending from strength to strength. Likewise, we, marveling at your faithfulness and obedience as an elder, cry out to you like this:

Rejoice, filled with Divine zeal; Rejoice, despising the vanity of this world and all its blessings. Rejoice, for you have loved purity and silence from your youth; Rejoice, for from the years of adolescence you desired the monastic life. Rejoice, for the sake of love for the Lord you left your father’s house; Rejoice, you who have taken up residence in the Lavra of St. Sergius. Rejoice, having preserved obedience to your elder and in the monastery; Rejoice, faithful executor of your blessings. Rejoice, you who imitated the ascetic elder Gregory and Daniel in their labors; Rejoice, having served them well until their blessed death. Rejoice, having subdued your flesh through fasting and abstinence; Rejoice, having prepared your heart for the abode of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 4

Avoiding the storm of temptation from the more crowded monastery, you moved into the monastery of Gethsemane, O Reverend Father, desiring to spend your life in silence and converse with God freely, offering prayers for all people to the Savior of the world and singing to Him the song: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing about your godly life, reverend, those who came to you from all ends of the Russian land, near and far, and you accepted them with love, guided you to salvation. In the same way, your elder schemamonk Gregory handed you two prosphoras, saying: hereby feed the hungry - with words and bread, as God wants, and bless you for the feat of eldership and priesthood. We, glorifying the Lord who strengthened you, joyfully cry out to you:

Rejoice, called by God to a holy monastery; Rejoice, you have received the blessing of the elders on the monastic path. Rejoice, image of true obedience; Rejoice, decoration of the monks of the monastery of St. Sergius. Rejoice, lover of vigil and prayer; Rejoice, having cleansed yourself from passions through exploits. Rejoice, having astonished everyone with meekness and humility; Rejoice, immaculate worker of Christ’s commandments. Rejoice, you who diligently served those who want salvation; Rejoice, for you received those who came to you with love. Rejoice, good helper to those seeking spiritual salvation; Rejoice, for you have led many to a truer faith.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 5

You, the servant of God, were like a God-flowing star with rays of grace illuminating the people of Russia, when you were honored with the image of monasticism and the priesthood, and from that hour you led many to the Sun of Truth, Christ, with your gracious word and the example of your life, which was all devoted to the service of God and your neighbors. And just as people saw you at the throne of the temple of God, praying for everyone and everything to the Savior of the world, now offer up your prayers for the Church of the Saints, our Fatherland and for all who honor you and sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

The people of Orthodoxy have seen your angelic life, Father Barnavo, your depth of humility, meekness, unfeigned love, mercy for those who mourn, complacent patience with illnesses, abstinence and great spiritual gifts, they were amazed and glorified the Lover of Mankind, God, who gave them such an intercessor and comforter. For this reason, we, motivated by love, bring you songs of praise and prayerfully call on you for help:

Rejoice, you who have been named the son of consolation in monasticism; Rejoice, loving father of those who come running to you. Rejoice, imitating your heavenly patron, the holy Apostle Barnabas; Rejoice, tireless preacher of the Gospel of Christ. Rejoice, chosen by God for sacred service; Rejoice, priesthood, for you have received the gift of God. Rejoice, you who offered the Bloodless Sacrifice with reverence and fear of God; Rejoice, faithful intercessor at the throne of God for people. Rejoice, shepherd, who raised his flock in faith and piety; Rejoice, inexhaustible source of mercy. Rejoice, guide to a pure and immaculate life; Rejoice, prayer book for our souls to God.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 6

You appeared as a preacher of the power and glory of God, Father Barnavo, for you illuminated our land with wondrous miracles and received deep grace to heal ailments, comfort the afflicted, drive away demons. From every corner of our land, suffering people - men and women with babies, old men with young men, rich and poor, have flowed to you and through your intercession I have found health of souls and bodies, crying out to the Giver of all good things to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

You have shone in the lands of Russia, Father Barnavo, like a multi-bright light, illuminating with the light of truth every person who comes to you. You were a mentor to monks and the worldly, and you increased many ascetics of the faith, imbuing them with piety. Illuminate the rays of your virtues and all of us who love you and pray to you:

Rejoice, you who created your heart as a vessel of grace; Rejoice, illuminated by miraculous faith. Rejoice, God-wise teacher of fasters and monks; Rejoice, wonderful helper to those living in the world. Rejoice, free physician of mental and physical illnesses; Rejoice, faithful guide to salvation. Rejoice, you covered everything with your love; Rejoice, reject anyone who comes to you. Rejoice, adorned with many spiritual gifts from God; Rejoice, educator of the ascetics and elders of Russia. Rejoice, rule of faith and piety; Rejoice, true shepherd of human souls.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 7

Wanting to show Your love for the children of God, the Most Merciful Mother of the Lord, bless you, Reverend Varnavo, on the river Vyksa to erect a maiden monastery in the name of the Iveron Icon of Her, from which there would be a restful haven for many Russian virgins and wives. But you, reverend, appeared as a good father and mentor to all the nuns gathered in it, and as a good helmsman, you guided the sisters of the monastery to salvation, instructing with the word and example of your life to sing to God with one heart and one mouth: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

You, Reverend Father, took up new labors and exploits for the establishment of the monastery of Iverstey, and the nuns labored in their zealous service to Christ God, and you were their gracious and righteous teacher. Then I raised up a campaign of persecution against the monastery, trying to turn you away from these labors. But you, strengthened by grace from above, have overcome many sorrows and temptations and entrusted the fate of the sisters to the providence of God, urging them to earnestly pray to the Most Holy Lady Theotokos. Moreover, we glorify your holy memory and cry out to you:

Rejoice, faithful and beloved child of the Mother of God; Rejoice, invisibly overshadowed by Her Protection. Rejoice, Zealous Intercessor, reverent admirer; Rejoice, you who tearfully offered prayers to Her day and night. Rejoice, having erected a monastery in the name of the Most Holy Theotokos; Rejoice, for in it you have gathered a multitude of nuns. Rejoice, not afraid of great labors and sorrows; Rejoice, having placed all your trust in the Most Pure Mother of God. Rejoice, you humbly praying to the Lady to direct your path; Rejoice, you who received heavenly help from Her. Rejoice, you who have established the temple of the Goalkeeper of Athos in the monastery of the Lady; Rejoice, thou who faithfully served the Most Holy Theotokos.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 8

We see a strange miracle in you, Reverend Barnavo, how God glorified you on earth and enriched you with great gifts of grace: insight, prophecy, love, prayer, healing. You, like another Elijah, brought down the rain from heaven, for this sake all people of Orthodoxy, who were delivered from disaster, gratefully cried out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

Having been completely filled with Divine grace, Reverend Father Barnavo, you foresaw the clairvoyant eyes of the future, as if it were real, and you foretold the mystery of lawlessness to the faithful, as if the devil would raise a storm of persecution against the Russian Orthodox Church. Afterwards, the sorrow of the children of God will turn into spiritual joy, and throughout the Russian land, like villages, churches and monastic monasteries will flourish. We, who have now seen the fulfillment of these prophecies in vain, say to you:

Rejoice, illuminated by the spirit of wisdom and reason; Rejoice, filled with the spirit of counsel and strength. Rejoice, enlightened by the spirit of knowledge of the present and future; Rejoice, radiant with the gift of insight. Rejoice, venerable gift of reasoning; Rejoice, you who have been awarded the gift of Divine knowledge. Rejoice, foreseeing the coming disaster on the Church of God; Rejoice, having prepared the true servants of God for the crown of confession. Rejoice, you have become like the great prophet of God Elijah; Rejoice, for through your prayers the rain was brought down to the earth in good time. Rejoice, thou who bestowed childbearing on a childless parent; Rejoice, God-gracious helper of man.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 9

You were all in God, Holy Barnabas, when with prayer on your lips you gave up your righteous soul in the hand of God, peacefully and serenely, kneeling at the altar before the throne of the temple of God. Death is truly your repose from great labors and unceasing deeds. Rejoicing in your blessed dormition, let us sing a song to our Creator: Hallelujah.

Ikos 9

The branches of multi-proclamation will not be able to utter an abundance of spiritual joy, which will fill the hearts of the faithful about your glorification, Father Barnabas, in the person of the saints, as a great elder and wonderworker of the Russian Church. Moreover, as we sing your glorification, we pray to you: do not forget your children who honor your name and cry out to you gratefully:

Rejoice, you who have filled the cities and towns of Russia with the glory of your exploits; Rejoice, glorified in miracles from God. Rejoice, having prepared yourself for death with tears and prayers; Rejoice, you who have received a blessed death from God. Rejoice, you who foresaw the nearness of your departure to the Lord; Rejoice, teach us through your life and outcome. Rejoice, having demonstrated by your righteous death the holiness of your life; Rejoice, you who have entered into the joy of your Lord. Rejoice, new triumph for the Russian Orthodox Church; Rejoice, bright lamp of all Russian lands. Rejoice, heir of the Kingdom of Heaven; Rejoice, sorrowful and prayerful for the whole world.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 10

Desiring the salvation of all, the good shepherd Father Barnavo, until the end of his days, taught and strengthened many people burdened with worldly affairs, giving them joy with your care and easing the burdens of labor. Likewise, after your departure, you provide help and intercession in all needs and trials to those who pray to you and sing a song of gratitude to God for you: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

As a wall of intercession for the Orthodox people of our country, your miraculous relics appear, O Reverend Barnavo, for from them you give healing to incurable passions, you give light to the blind, to the deaf hearing, to the weakened health, to those suffering from cancerous ulcers healing, and you pour out grace to all, illuminating with joy those who come to the race of your relics and those who sing to you with love this:

Rejoice, thou art willing to reveal thy holy relics, like a great treasure; Rejoice, you who have sanctified your monastery. Rejoice, gloriously exalted by God through the incorruption of your relics; Rejoice, vessel of grace, flowing healing myrrh to the sick. Rejoice, rejoicing through miraculous healings from the relics of your faithful; Rejoice, for all those who come to them receive abundant blessings from the giver. Rejoice, healer of severe and incurable bodily ailments; Rejoice, healer of the infirmities and passions of the soul. Rejoice, give ambulance to those praying at the shrine of your relics; Rejoice, great miracle worker, given to us for consolation. Rejoice, thou who lookest upon our earthly sorrows and needs; Rejoice, fill us with spiritual joy.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 11

We bring you all-contrite singing according to our heritage about the many miracles that came from your relics, Father Barnavo, by whose grace your holy monastery shines, devastated by the godless. Moreover, the multitude of monks gathered here, together with all those who honor your memory with love, sing to God, wondrous in His saints, the song: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The luminous lamp of the grace-filled eldership appeared and you lived like an Angel on earth, Reverend Father Barnavo. For this sake, you have raised many ascetics of piety and elders, so that the fragrant flower of eldership in the Russian land will not fade. Now, being in heaven with your disciples in the host of the saints of our land, remember us, crying out to you with love like this:

Rejoice, you who enlighten our land with the radiance of your virtues; Rejoice, lamp of Divine grace. Rejoice, having illuminated your earthly Fatherland with the brilliance of miracles; Rejoice, having confirmed many in the Orthodox faith. Rejoice, seer of human destinies; Rejoice, you have raised perfect ascetics through your instructions and prayers. Rejoice, you who saw the light in the young novice of the future elder Zacharias; Rejoice, merchant Vasily, the future elder Seraphim Vyritsky, who directed him on the path of spiritual achievement. Rejoice, for you helped the future Optina elder Barsanuphius to leave the world; Rejoice, future ascetic and elder Bishop Tikhon of Cherepovets, spiritual teacher. Rejoice, great saint Metropolitan Tryphon, spiritual father and mentor; Rejoice, Tsar-Passion-Bearer Nicholas II blessed the feat of his service.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 12

Great grace was bestowed upon you by the Lord, wonderful servant of God, just as in your earthly life you prophesied and performed wondrous and many miracles, so to this day you have not ceased to work miracles and bring healing to all who honor you. In the same way, heal us with your prayer, be a quick helper and a spiritual doctor for us, so that through repentance we will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and there with you and with all those who please God we will sing to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your glorification in the face of the saints of our land, we praise, glorify and bless you with love, Reverend Our Father Barnabas, as an intercessor and prayer book for us before the Lord. With the grace given to you, sanctify, enlighten and guide us sinners on the path of salvation; Hear us, the sorrowful, the ailing, the suffering, crying out to you, the great All-Russian elder-comforter:

Rejoice, earthly angel and heavenly man; Rejoice, great servant of God. Rejoice, for you burned with seraphic fiery love for God; Rejoice, for with the Angels you now stand before the Most Holy Trinity. Rejoice, in your monastic labors and labors you became like your ancient father; Rejoice, shining star in the face of the saints. Rejoice, under the roof of the monastery of St. Sergius you accomplished the monastic feat; Rejoice, for those who labor in her for the eternal intercession of salvation. Rejoice, for you have renewed the devastated Iveron monastery with your prayers; Rejoice, for you stand before God with prayers for her sisters. Rejoice, you who have acquired great boldness before God; Rejoice, our vigilant prayer book to the Mother of God.

Rejoice, Venerable Barnabas of Gethsemane, God-wise and glorious miracle-working shepherd.

Kontakion 13

O venerable and God-bearing Father Barnavo, you have appeared in our Fatherland as a pillar of piety, the rule of abstinence, an image of humility, an intercessor, a comforter and a guardian to all who come running to you. Forget not us, your children, save and intercede from evils that find us, so that through your prayers we may be honored with the Kingdom of Heaven in Christ Jesus our Lord, singing to Him the victorious song: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos: “Creator of Angels...” and the 1st kontakion: “The chosen saint of Christ...”.)

Prayer to St. Barnabas of Gethsemane

O Reverend Father Barnavo, our meek and comforting shepherd, merciful helper and warm prayer book for us! You were a child of God's blessing from an early age, and you showed the image of obedience to your parents and service to your neighbors. Having loved the commandments of the Lord, you flocked to the Lavra of St. Sergius, and you appeared as his faithful disciple. While you were in the monastery of the Mother of God, you acquired the spirit of humility, meekness and patience, and you received the gift of reasoning and insight from God. For this reason, you were a spiritual mentor to the monastics, the creator of the nuns of the Iverskaya monastery on Vykserets, and to all those who suffer and are sick, you were a merciful healer and caretaker even until the hour of death. After your repose, God will show many mercies to those who honor your memory and your faithful teacher as a monk.

In the same way, we pray to you, righteous father, as before, to intercede before God with your prayers for all people in every rank to acquire the spirit of comfort and for everyone to find: to preserve obedience and chastity for the young through the fear of God; in the age of existence - the love of God and the consent to acquire; for those who are hungry - not only to be satisfied with their daily bread, but especially to be satisfied with the word of God; for those who cry - to be comforted; an exile and a wanderer - to find shelter; in prison beings - to be freed from bonds; for the pious - to grow in the Spirit of God and achieve humility. Descend to us in all the paths of our life, and moreover, beg our Lord for the forgiveness of our sins and untruths and direct our feet to the light of God’s commandments, so that with one heart and one mouth we glorify the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Vasily Ilyich Merkulov (monastic name Varnava) was born on January 24, 1831 in the village. Prudishchi, Tula region, near the places where the founders of our city, the Batashev brothers-breeders, came to Vyksa.

Childhood and adolescence

Vasily's parents, Ilya and Daria Merkulov, were serfs. Good and God-fearing people, they rejoiced at the birth of their son and named him in honor of Saint Basil the Great.
As the elder recalled his childhood, he was a nimble and active boy. Devout parents sent their boy to a school of psalmists, where he studied the Book of Hours and the Book of Psalms. Some time later, the landowner, the owner of the Merkulovs, sells them to the village of Naro-Fominskoye, Moscow province. The new owner, Prince Shcherbatov, orders the teenager to be taught plumbing.
In his free time from his craft, Vasily visits the nearby Zosima Hermitage and meets the hermit - the monk Gerondiy. This forces him to make a decisive change in life - to devote himself to serving God.

Novice of the Gethsemane Skete

He was especially confirmed in this when in 1850 he visited the Trinity-Sergius Lavra with his mother. A year later, Vasily went there together with Gerondiy, who decided to end his life near the relics of Sergius of Radonezh, and in 1852, with the blessing of the governor of the Lavra, Anthony moved to the Gethsemane monastery, located three west from the Lavra. This monastery lived according to the rules of the Sarov Hermitage, described by the Sarov elder Paisius the Great.
During his stay at the monastery, the monk Daniel (Skhimovsky) had a particularly great influence on the future elder.
On February 17, 1856, Vasily received a letter of release, that is, freedom from the landowner.
On December 23, 1957, he became a novice. And only almost ten years later, on November 20, 1866, after the death of Elder Daniel, Vasily took monastic vows and subsequently carried out the feat of eldership under the name Barnabas (“child of mercy, son of consolation”).

People's confessor

In 1871, Barnabas was ordained as a hierodeacon, on January 10, 1872, as a hieromonk, and some time later, the governor of the Lavra confirmed him in the title of national confessor of the caves of the Gethsemane monastery.
From this moment on, Barnabas's fame among believers begins. Pilgrims from many parts of Russia come for his blessing. In the testimonies of contemporaries who communicated with him, we find many examples of the elder’s foresight. In January 1905, the martyr Emperor Nicholas II himself went to confession to Barnabas.

Organizer of the Iveron Monastery on Vyksa

Eldership in Russia was a special form of monasticism. The elders left behind not only a purely spiritual, but also a material embodiment of this spirituality - monasteries that lived under their influence.
A lot of effort and work about. Barnabas contributed to the creation of our Iversky convent. The monastery traces its history back to 1863, when the first nuns appeared in the almshouse that was built here.
Thanks to the efforts of the elder, by the beginning of the 20th century the monastery began to flourish.

On February 17, 1906, the elder passed away. And on the 19th, in response to the request of the sisters of the Iveron Monastery to bury the elder within the walls of the monastery, the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod responded with a telegram that the deceased would be buried in the brotherly cemetery of the Gethsemane Skete.
In 1913, the question of renaming the Vyksa Convent to the Iversky Varnav Convent was raised. But his decision was apparently hindered by war and revolution.

Canonization

In 1989, the Council raised the question of the canonization of Hieromonk Barnabas. After studying the materials, the chairman of the canonization commission, Metropolitan Yuvenaly, reported to Patriarch Alexy II about the possibility of canonizing Elder Barnabas.
On September 30, 1994, the Patriarch sent a letter to the abbot of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, Archimandrite Theognost, in which he said that the commission unanimously came to the conclusion about the possibility of canonizing Hieromonk Varnava (Merkulov) among the venerable saints of the Moscow diocese in the host of Radonezh saints.
In 1995, on the day of the Council of Radonezh Saints, the canonization of Hieromonk Barnabas (Merkulov) was carried out by His Holiness the Patriarch in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.