Saint Macarius of Nevsky is an amazing archpastor of the Russian Church, an outstanding personality of Russia.
The future Saint Macarius Nevsky was born in 1835 in the Vladimir province, into a poor large family of the priest of the rural church Andrei Parvitsky (the surname “Nevsky” was given to him much later, in the seminary), and was baptized by Michael. After some time, the family moved to Siberia - so the youth Mikhail went to study in Tobolsk: first to the theological school, and then to the local seminary, which he graduated from in 1854. He could be proud of his success, and no one would be surprised if the young man continued his studies at the Theological Academy, but he did not want such a “solution” for his own life.
Enlightener Macarius
His heart had long been burning with the dream of missionary activity. Since 1855, Mikhail Nevsky was included in the Altai spiritual mission. In 1861 he was tonsured a monk with the name Macarius. His thirty years of activity in Altai (from 1855 to 1884, when Archimandrite Macarius was consecrated Bishop of Biysk and he himself headed the Altai mission) is an example of high Christian asceticism: Father Macarius never tired of preaching the Word of God in the farthest corners of this mountainous country, not being afraid to speak out in front of aggressive, inveterate pagans, whom he knew how to convince of his own rightness. He was known everywhere in Altai and loved.
The saint himself, speaking at the naming of him Bishop of Biysk, said:
“For my inexperience, thirty years of life in Altai was the kind of missionary academy that was once supposed to be opened in the center of Russia; only there they wanted to teach missionary work from books, but here life was the teacher.”
He cared a lot about proper education, about the organization of schools, the graduates of which, from foreigners, could bring the light of truth to their native places, about the translation of the Holy Scriptures and liturgical texts into the Altai language...
In 1891, Bishop Macarius had to leave Altai, which had become his home, and he was assigned to be the Bishop of Tomsk and Semipalatinsk with a stay in the “cathedral” city of Tomsk. Bishop of Tomsk and Sempalatinsk (1891), Bishop of Tomsk and Barnaul (1895), Archbishop of Tomsk and Altai (1908) - the titles changed, but not the “content”: and in the new place, Bishop Macarius continued his tireless work in the spiritual field, paying special attention for his favorite educational work. He arranged for a permanent “place of residence” in Tomsk Seminary, helped a lot to the women’s diocesan school... He even managed to send diocesan women on an educational trip around European Russia! Broad charity and education are the main areas of the archpastor’s efforts. Plus “fatherly, selfless love” for people. It must be admitted that the saint thought quite strategically.
Memorable dates
| date | Event |
| October 1, 1835 | Birthday |
| 1854 | Graduated from theological seminary |
| February 22, 1955 | Entered the Altai Spiritual Mission |
| January 25, 1857 | He was tonsured into the ryassophore |
| March 11, 1861 | Took monastic vows |
| March 19, 1961 | Ordained as hieromonk |
| 1867-68 | Work in St. Pererburg |
| 1868-69 | Work in Kazan |
| 1871 | Elevated to the rank of abbot |
| 1883 | Elevated to the rank of archimandrite |
| February 12, 1884 | Ordained bishop |
| May 26, 1891 | Appointed Bishop of Tomsk and Semipalatinsk |
| October 27, 1895 | Honorary member of the Kazan DS |
| May 6, 1903 | Awarded the Diamond Cross |
| May 6, 1906 | Elevated to the rank of archbishop |
| November 25, 1912 | Appointed to the Moscow Metropolis |
| March 20, 1917 | Fired for staff |
| 1917 | Exiled to the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery |
| August 19, 1920 | Awarded the lifelong title of Metropolitan of Altai |
| 1920 | Partially paralyzed |
| 1925 | Moving to the village Kotelniki |
| March 1, 1926 | Blessed death |
| 2000 g | Canonized |
A modern icon of St. Macarius of Nevsky with a piece of his coffin.
Temple of the Savior Not Made by Hands, p. Kargasok Preachers, missionaries and everyone who wants to know and establish themselves in the Orthodox faith turn to the saint for help.
Metropolitan Macarius Nevsky at the Moscow See
At the end of 1912, Saint Macarius of Nevsky was elevated to the rank of metropolitan and appointed to the Moscow See. The elder, still vigorous and active, managed to attract to himself the souls of Muscovites who had seen everything, and managed to win the love and veneration of his new flock - just as he had previously won the love of his Altai and Siberian children.
At the same time, Metropolitan Macarius was strict towards clergy who were seen to be indifferent or neglectful of their spiritual duties. Saint Macarius himself has always been an example for the priests under him. Thus, he never spoke at the altar, while others immediately after communion began conversations “on the topic of the day.” If they approached him at that time with a question or conversation, he meekly answered: “Christ is in our midst.” And he didn’t say another word.
But 1917 was already approaching - with its unheard-of deeds that could not fit into the mind. Unheard of and ugly. One of these cases was the brutal dismissal of Metropolitan Macarius (Nevsky) of Moscow and Kolomna.
The “retirement” of the saint shocked everyone. Moreover, it was produced in the crudest form. The Chief Prosecutor of the Synod, Prince V. Lvov, literally forced him to write a petition for his retirement. Having lost his cathedra, the disgraced metropolitan wanted to settle in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, but he was not allowed. Then he went to Zosimov’s Smolensk hermitage, but even here the bishop was not allowed to stay for long. Having identified the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery as his place of residence (or rather, imprisonment), the saint was taken there by a ring road, not even allowing him to enter Moscow to say goodbye to his flock.
How do prayers to a saint help?
There is a lot of evidence that he helped those in need during his lifetime. This could manifest itself both in simple advice and in medical practice. They often turn to him today. The most popular requests concern:
- raising children;
- gifts of mind;
- strengthening faith;
- healing from illnesses and other things.
The best article for you, go to: The icon of the Holy Martyr Tatiana, how it helps, how to pray
Another good help is the letters of Macarius Nevsky to his spiritual daughter. This is a collection of essays, by re-reading which you can find the answer to the question that concerns you. They raise the most pressing questions of spiritual life. Sayings from it will help you find solace in various adversities.
Metropolitan Macarius Nevsky In the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery
The “Apostle of Altai” lived in the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery until 1925 - that is, until the time when it was possible to live there as a monk. Having become accustomed to incessant activity from a young age, Saint Macarius languished from forced rest. But when, three years after his removal from the see, His Holiness Patriarch Tikhon, who treated the saint with great respect, confirmed him as Metropolitan of Altai, it was already clear that this title was only recognition of the merits of one of the oldest hierarchs. The eighty-five-year-old old man could not travel to Altai. In 1920, he suffered from partial paralysis.
At Ugresh they fell in love with Bishop Macarius. And not only monks, but also children - from neighboring villages and from the colony, which for some time shared the monastery with monks. These children often came to the saint.
In the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery, Saint Macarius was visited twice by representatives of the punitive authorities - they searched his modest home and still could not believe that he had neither money nor “products made of precious metals” hidden. But the Metropolitan really had none of this.
Metropolitan Macarius often had guests from Moscow: the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Tikhon came to him several times for a conversation, and other hierarchs, as well as Moscow priests, visited him. One of those who participated in such a trip very accurately defined its meaning:
“It was a difficult time, we all wanted to strengthen ourselves near the lamp of Orthodoxy - Bishop Macarius, in order to stand in the truth if we had to be tested.”
Saint Macarius of Moscow - Memorial Day 1.03 n.st. (16.02 old style)
Macarius (Nevsky) (1835 - 1926), Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, “Apostle of Altai”, saint. Commemorated on February 16 (March 1), in the Cathedrals of Moscow Saints and Moscow Saints.The life of every person is determined by Divine Providence, but in the life of saints, His action is more clear and obvious. The ninety-year earthly journey of Metropolitan Macarius from the first day to his blessed death was marked by miracles and spiritually significant events. The tragic history we experienced of the uprising of the forces of evil against the Holy Church and her children, the destruction of those religious and moral foundations by which Russian society had lived for centuries, shed new bright light on the unremitting zeal for the preservation of Orthodox traditions, which distinguished this ascetic archpastor.
Saint Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, Apostle of Altai (in the world Mikhail Andreevich Parvitsky-Nevsky) was born on October 1, 1835, on the celebration of the Intercession of the Mother of God, in the village of Shapkino, Vladimir province. The child was very weak and did not give up hope of staying alive. Therefore, he was immediately baptized with the name Michael and, wearing a white baptismal robe, was placed under the holy icons awaiting death. But the baby survived. This was the first miracle in his life. The gracious help of God and the Protection of the Mother of God never left him. The first hours became, as it were, a prototype of his earthly journey. His father, Andrei Ivanovich, served as a clerk at the rural Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From childhood, his mother taught little Mikhail to pray. Young Michael’s favorite reading was the works of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, Ephraim the Syrian and the life of St. Seraphim of Sarov.
In 1854, he graduated from the Seminary (here he was given the surname Nevsky), and, in accordance with his desire to serve the cause of preaching the Gospel, he went to the Altai mission as an ordinary employee, although due to his brilliant success he could have continued his studies at the Academy. An example of missionary service for him was the Venerable Archimandrite Macarius (Glukharev, commemorated May 18), the founder of the Altai Mission, about whose life and works he heard from eyewitnesses. At first, the future Saint served as a reader, taught at the Catechetical School, accompanied missionaries to remote, inaccessible wild places, and studied the Altai language.
On March 16, 1861, he took monastic vows with the name Macarius, in honor of the Monk Macarius the Great. The next day he was ordained a hierodeacon, and on March 19 - a hieromonk. Now his independent missionary service begins. First in the Chemal camp, and then in Chulyshman. The success of the sermon could only be if the word of God was brought to the people in their native language. Therefore, Father Macarius perfectly mastered the Altai language and its dialects. And he devotes many years to translating liturgical books into the Altai language, working on this in St. Petersburg and Kazan. In 1875, Father Macarius was appointed assistant to the head of the Altai Mission.
In 1883, Father Macarius was elevated to the rank of Bishop of Biysk and he became the head of the Altai mission. Vladyka served in this position for eight years. During this time, the number of baptized people increased to 19,216 people (during the founding of the mission under the Rev. Archimandrite Macarius (Glukharev), the number of baptized souls was 675), the number of parish churches increased to 49, and the same number of schools and colleges were opened with the number of students up to 1,168 people.
During the 36 years of his missionary service, Vladyka Macarius acquired all-Russian fame. In 1891 he was appointed Bishop of Tomsk. Bishop Macarius believed that a shepherd must be ready “at all times to bring from the treasury of his soul consolation for some, instruction for others, encouragement for others, and reproof for others.” He was also involved in trusteeship: by the end of his tenure at the Tomsk department in Tomsk there were eleven parish trustees involved in collecting funds for the poor, six shelters for children, a shelter, and five almshouses. During his service in the diocese, 217 new parishes, two convents, 229 parochial schools, and 442 parish trustees were opened.
Saint Macarius foresaw the coming events in Russia. In one of his teachings, he said: “We are going through troubled times. There were hard times in Rus', but then it was not as bad as now. Then everyone was for God, everyone wanted to know what He wanted; but now it’s not the same. Then they were for the Tsar. Now it’s not the same again. Now we hear voices blasphemous against God and plans against His Anointed... In anonymous letters and their leaflets we read that they, like messengers of hell, thirst for destruction, disorder... Their desire is to turn everything upside down, so that the head is below and the feet are above; so that an honest person expects mercy from the hands of a tramp, whom they want to make the distributor of their loot...” The Bishop predicted, denouncing the troublemakers: “If you don’t want your own Russian power, then you will have foreign power.”
In May 1906 he was elevated to the rank of archbishop. And in 1912 he was appointed Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna and a member of the Holy Synod. In Moscow, as in Tomsk, Vladyka pays great attention to the catechesis of the people, boldly denounces the moral debauchery of his contemporaries, and opposes everything that undermines the “stronghold of the Church of God.” Hieromartyr Arseny (Zhadanovsky) (September 14) wrote in his memoirs: “The proud capital did not like his simple teaching, his strictly ecclesiastical patriarchal direction. People who had abandoned faith and good morality considered him a backward, uninteresting bishop, and the shepherds, who put in the first place not the salvation of their flock, but their personal worldly interests, did not find support in the metropolitan.”
Bishop Macarius is also known as a good restorer of peace in the Athonite disputes about the Name of God (1912). His conscience could not put up with the crude methods that were applied to the Russian name-slavers on Athos - followers of the ancient ascetic teaching of inner silence (hesychasm). And the Saint in 1914 created a special Commission at the Moscow Synodal Office, which determined the teaching of imyaslaviya to the Orthodox, not containing heresy and, thus, the unjust decision of the Holy Synod regarding the Athonite elders was abolished.
Metropolitan Macarius was a spiritual writer, had the gift of intelligent heartfelt prayer, was a strict monk and ascetic.
In 1917, after the February Revolution, a campaign of slander began in the newspapers against the Vladyka, who remained faithful to the oath to the Sovereign and refused to swear allegiance to the Provisional Government. He was not allowed to attend the All-Russian Council of 1917-18. The saint is forced “as out of step with the spirit of the times” - under the threat of imprisonment in the Peter and Paul Fortress - to submit his resignation. This was clearly a lawless, anti-canonical action on the part of the Provisional Government, since the Moscow metropolitans, thanks to their special status, never retired, either due to illness or old age. In addition, the 82-year-old elder was deprived of the maintenance due to his status and the right to reside in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - of which he was the holy archimandrite - and was exiled to the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery.
In recent years, the holy elder, forgotten and abandoned by almost everyone, was in paralysis, but did not lose the ability to speak. More than once I visited the sick Bishop St. Patriarch Tikhon, their last meeting was in August 1924, both asked each other for forgiveness. The Hieromartyr Metropolitan Peter, having become the Patriarchal Locum Tenens, asked the elder for a blessing and the Bishop lovingly gave him his white hood.
The outstanding missionary saint, “Apostle of Altai”, “Siberian Pillar of Orthodoxy”, “living Russian saint” - as his contemporaries called him - rested on February 16, 1926 in the village of Kotelnichi, Moscow region, Lyubertsy district. In 1957, his honest, incorruptible remains were transferred to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and buried in the Church of the Russian Saints of the Assumption Cathedral.
Canonized as a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church for church-wide veneration at the Council of Bishops in August 2000. Included in the Cathedral of Moscow Saints (commemorated on the Sunday before August 26, old style).
Troparion, tone 4:
As a great shepherd of one kind, and a teacher of the universe of the same mind, there is a fair amount of God’s Wisdom as a servant, to the blessedness of the namesake of faithfulness today let us all sing: pray to Christ God, Saint Macarius, to pacify the world and save our souls.
Kontakion, tone 3:
You, Saint Macarius, tried to enlighten the people of Russia and glorify the saints of our land with God-wise teaching and book copying. For this reason, he was called wonderful, the successor of the first thrones of Russia. Pray for us to remain unharmed in faith and piety.
Magnification:
We magnify you, Father Macarius, and honor your holy memory, for you pray for us to Christ our God.
(www.pravoslavie.ru; krestobogorodsky.ru; illustrations: www.pravoslavie.ru; www.iconsv.ru; www.soln-nikolai.ru).
[td] St. Macarius, Metropolitan. Moscow and Kolomna, Apostle of Altai
Death of Saint Macarius
The last months of his life, after the closure of the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery, Saint Macarius Nevsky spent in the village of Kotelniki near the Lyubertsy station. Here he died on the night of February 16 (March 2), 1926, from pneumonia and was buried in the fence of the local church. In 1957, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy I blessed the transfer of the saint’s body (it was found incorrupt) to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, where he was buried in the lower part of the Assumption Cathedral.
In 2000, Metropolitan Macarius (Nevsky) was canonized.
Russian saints.
Temples in honor of St. Macarius
Since this man made a significant contribution to the development of Orthodoxy, it is not surprising that some sacred buildings bear his name. The most popular are considered:
- church in Dzerzhinsky;
- cathedral in Moscow;
- church in the village of Chemal;
- church in the village of Lesnoy, Barnaul diocese.
Many consider it their duty to visit at least one of these places and bow to the relics of the saint. These are the words I most often read for him.
“Oh, all-praiseworthy saint of Christ and wonderworker Macarius! Accept this small prayer from us sinners who come running to you, and with your warm intercession beg our Lord and God Jesus Christ, that, having looked upon us mercifully, He will grant us forgiveness of our voluntary and involuntary sins, and by His great mercy He will deliver us from troubles , sorrows, sorrows and illnesses of soul and body that beset us; May the land bear fruit and everything that is needed for the benefit of our present life; may He grant us to end this temporary life in repentance, and may He grant us sinners and unworthy of His Heavenly Kingdom to glorify His endless mercy with all the saints, with His Beginningless Father and His Holy and Life-giving Spirit, forever and ever. Amen."
When turning to Saint Macarius of Nevsky with prayer, one should not forget that words should come only from a pure heart and with noble intentions. Don’t forget to also thank him and the Almighty for what you already have.
God bless you!
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You will also be interested in watching a video story about St. Metropolitan Macarius:
Old and new
The saint saw and knew: the Russian Church largely lives by antiquity - by unwritten laws born in an era of political fragmentation.
Every bishop, and even a monastery or even a parish priest, strove to introduce his own “novelty” into church life. Sometimes she touched on trifles, and sometimes she trampled on the foundations of Christian doctrine. Heresies brought from Europe, which was at that time gripped by the Reformation, proliferated.
If we sensibly assess the state of the Russian clergy in the mid-16th century, then, while giving birth to great monastic ascetics, they had little sense of the unity of the church body and remained terribly vulnerable to poisonous ideas coming from outside.
Metropolitan Macarius spent a lot of effort to overcome these problems of the church life of that time.
For example, the fight against heretics was carried out very energetically during his years, council followed council. Since then, “cases against heretics”—extensive investigation materials—have been preserved. But if we compare the methods used by the Church under Macarius and before him, it will become clear: the Metropolitan preferred the “struggle of words” to bonfires and torture. Long before Macarius, Moscow learned what the smell of burnt meat is like when an apostate from Orthodoxy is sent to the fire... The head of the spiritual government had both the right and the opportunity to demand from the secular government the same punishment for new “ideological enemies.” However, Macarius did not put forward such demands. The opposition to heretics in his time was distinguished by great meticulousness, but did not know any particular cruelty. Those convicted of obvious heresy were not burned, tortured, or tormented, but were simply sent to repentance in distant monasteries. Macarius saw the goal of this struggle in the triumph of the Church, in the victory of truth, but not in the physical destruction of the lost sheep.
Each large region had its own especially revered saints, little known outside its borders. In 1547 and 1549, Macarius convened large church councils, where 39 saints were glorified.
Under him, at the Council of the Stoglavy in 1551, the Church adopted an extensive set of uniform rules. They concerned different aspects of church life: moral, administrative, liturgical, economic. The general rules applied to the entire Russian clergy “from Moscow to the very outskirts” and had to be followed regardless of “local peculiarities.”
