2 texts of prayers to the great Roman the Wonderworker for infertility and how to read

"Save me, God!".
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Everyone who attended a church service at least once in their life was amazed at the beautiful sound and melody of church hymns. The Venerable Roman the Sweet Singer devoted his entire life to the creation of these beautiful hymns and melodies, whose memorial day is celebrated on October 14 (October 1 in the strict style) on the Feast of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Life story

The future saint was born in Syria at the end of the 5th century, was baptized in his youth and, dreaming of devoting his life to serving the Lord, became a deacon in the temple in Beirut and finally went to Constantinople and became one of the clergy in the Church of Our Lady.
Roman did not stand out in any way among the rest of the clergy, but Patriarch Euthymius fell in love with the young man for his commitment to the faith and virtuous life, began to single him out and brought him closer to himself. This caused envy among some clergy; they mocked the young man because of his lack of education, as well as the complete lack of voice and hearing. Uncomplainingly enduring these insults, Roman showed truly Christian forgiveness, but one incident completely turned his life upside down.

Once a large festive service was going on in the temple, and the envious clergy decided to expose the timid young man to public ridicule. They pushed him into the pulpit and he had to sing in front of the assembled congregation. Roman's trembling voice and his indistinct singing, if they did not cause laughter, then made an unfavorable impression, but he himself was in despair.

Returning home, Roman began to pray passionately in front of the icon of the Mother of God. And then a real miracle followed: the Mother of God came down to him from heaven, handed him a scroll and ordered him to swallow it. Roman did just that. It turned out that he received from the Mother of God not only a beautiful voice and hearing, but also an even more valuable gift - to compose church hymns, which required talent not only for versification, but also for music. Immediately, under the impression of the appearance of the Mother of God, the novel compiled the Christmas kontakion “The Virgin Gives Birth to the Most Essential One,” which became famous and is still performed in Orthodox churches on the great festive night.

The next day he brought his first piece to the temple and sang it himself in a beautiful, sonorous voice. Everyone was shocked by his magnificent voice and the beauty of the chant he wrote, and the former envious people and oppressors repented of their bad attitude towards him, and the kind-hearted young man forgave them.

In total, Roman owns more than a thousand church hymns, including troparia, kontakion and akathists, which became a real decoration of any divine service and made, and still make, a huge impression on believers. That is why Roman received the nickname Sweet Singer.

Surrounded by universal love, Roman began to teach singing in Constantinople and did a lot to make the divine services acquire even greater splendor. Both contemporaries and scientists who studied his creative legacy believed that among all other Greek creators of church hymns he stood out for his sublime poetic talent, depth, sincerity of feelings and musical talent.

Roman the Sweet Singer died in 556, having previously taken monastic vows, and was subsequently canonized by the Church Council. Now an akathist was created for Saint Roman the Sweet Singer and the history of his life was written.

Roman the Wonderworker in Orthodoxy

In the 5th century, the future saint Roman the Wonderworker was born in the Syrian city of Rose. Because of this, it is called Antioch or Syrian. The Christian ascetic is mentioned in the book “The History of God-Lovers” by the author Theodoret of Cyrus.

The Syrian hermit lived in his small homeland until maturity. Then he went to Antioch. The rest of his life was spent there, in a wretched cell. Another ascetic, Theodosius, served as an example to the Monk Roman. Just like him, Roman did not cut his hair. They grew to the very ground and became even longer over time. The saint wrapped them around his thighs. Just like Theodosius, he constantly wore a hair shirt and shackles.

According to Theodorit’s description, Roman had a meek disposition, simplicity, and modesty. Everyone who came to the monk for help received it. He managed to cure the most severe illnesses. The miraculous gift of the saint allowed many women to experience the happiness of motherhood.

In his homeland, in Greek churches, the saint is called Romanus the Wonderworker of Cilicia. When he was alive, the path to him was not overgrown. After death, the suffering pray to his holy image. The immortal spirit of the great righteous man invariably brings help.

Memorial Day of Roman the Wonderworker - December 10. On this day, prayers are read and akathists are sung in all Orthodox churches.

Saint Roman the Sweet Singer. What does it help with?

From his early youth, Saint Roman the Sweet Singer lived a life pleasing to God, asceticizing in virginity and chastity. The icon with his image has an independent existence, where he is depicted with a scroll in his hand, facing the face of the Mother of God, as a commemoration of his church poetic activity, and on the icon in honor of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos 14 (October 1), where in the center he is depicted in the guise the deacon, and next to him the Mother of God gives him the same scroll.

In 1902, Tsar Nicholas II built a temple of Roman the Sweet Singer in the Moscow Novo-Spassky Monastery in the area of ​​the Transfiguration Cathedral in the Romanov family tomb, but during the years of Soviet hard times, it was desecrated and destroyed.

Those who seek to understand the Holy Scriptures, prayers, liturgical texts and chants also pray to him. Church ministers ask him to protect him from false accusations and the machinations of envious enemies.

What does a saint help with?

Through the prayers of Saint Roman, the Lord made many families happy with the birth of a desired child. Even infertility is overcome if a woman asks the monk sincerely and earnestly. Often even after all treatment options have been tried. The road has been traveled in traditional and alternative medicine.

Unfortunately, women have a short childbearing period. Years pass, and the hope of the Lord giving children becomes more and more elusive. As a result, the woman resorts to her last hope - she turns to Roman the Wonderworker in prayer.

The saint’s help is effective both during difficult pregnancy and problematic childbirth. If conception occurred through his prayers, the expectant mother should be especially strong in faith. This will help you reach the deadline and safely resolve the burden, no matter what difficulties threaten you. Prayers to the saint will help dispel fears of childbirth. It will be easier for a woman to focus on the process itself. The stressful state of a woman in labor can lead to fatal consequences, even if the pregnancy is full-term and the baby is healthy.

Ikos 3

Having strong faith in the good providence of God for the salvation of man, you flowed to the honest image of the Most Holy Theotokos, co-representing in the Church of the Blachernae, and you humbly prayed to the Lady to direct your path. We, seeing your persistent hope in the mercy of the Queen of Heaven, sing to you:

Rejoice, faithful and beloved child of the Mother of God.

Rejoice, the power of Her sacred cover is secretly comprehended.

Rejoice, Zealous Intercessor, reverent admirer.

Rejoice, thou who tearfully offered up prayers to Her warmly in the night.

Rejoice, having found such consolation in your heart.

Rejoice, sweet-singing Roman, church beauty.

Troparion and kontakion to St. Roman Kirzhachsky

Troparion, tone 8.

ABOUT! you, Father Roman, know the speed of salvation. Let us accept the cross, for you followed Christ. But whoever does and learns to despise the flesh passes away, but to practice things more immortal for the soul. In the same way the angels rejoice, O venerable spirit.

Kontakion, tone 2.

Having divinely armed yourself with spiritual purity, and unceasing prayer, as if you had firmly handed over a copy, you prosecuted the demonic militia of Roman, Our Father, pray unceasingly for all of us.

Story

The icon was brought to Russia at the end of the 16th century by Serbs who came from Transylvania at the invitation of the Russian government. His ancestor, in the middle of the 18th century, settled in the Olviopol district of the Kherson province.

The icon was passed down by inheritance until in 1809 it was acquired by a landowner, the wife of a staff captain, Juliania Ionovna Kasperova, who lived on her estate Kasperovo (currently Kizomys, Belozersky district, Kherson region). By that time the icon had become significantly dilapidated.

In February 1840, Kasperova prayed at night with tears in front of the Kasperova Icon of the Mother of God with a request to help her in her troubles. Suddenly Kasperova saw that the icon had been renewed and the face of the Mother of God had brightened.

At the same time, the small noblewoman Vera Burleeva, who lived in a neighboring village, could not cure the paralysis of her left arm. In the spring of 1840, in a dream, she heard the voice of the Mother of God, sending her to the village of Kasperovo to pray to the icon. Burleeva was brought to the Kasperovs’ house, where after prayer she was cured.

In the summer of 1843, three more outstanding healings occurred. After prayers before the image of the Mother of God, Ivan Shumyakov, a 13-year-old peasant boy from the city of Kherson, who suffered from epileptic seizures, recovered. The Ochakov tradeswoman Maria Smeshnaya, who was brought to Kasperova’s house paralyzed, has recovered. Before healing, Smeshnaya did not control half of her body and was unable to move independently. After praying before the image of the Blessed Virgin and anointing with oil from the lamp, the Novoivanovsk peasant woman Paraskovya Semipudova, who had been possessed for a long time, returned to her sanity.

In late January 1844, the icon was transferred to the village church.

Since then, healings began to flow from the Kasper icon of the Mother of God, and people recognized it as miraculous. In 1846, a commission assembled on this occasion officially recognized the reality of all miracles, and pilgrims from Kherson, Ochakov, Odessa, Nikolaev and other places began to flock to the Kasper icon.

Since 1852, at the request of the residents of Kherson, every year on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, the Kasperov Icon of the Mother of God began to be brought to the city cathedral.

We advise you to study Prayers from Thieves

During the blockade of Odessa by the British fleet during the Crimean War, city residents turned to Archbishop Innocent (Borisov) with a request to move the Kasperov Icon to the Odessa Transfiguration Cathedral:

...with all our hearts we believe in the wonderful help of the Mother of God and hope that the presence of Her Face in our city will be an insurmountable bulwark against enemy attacks and the most reliable guarantee of our salvation.

After receiving the highest permission, the request was granted. The image was transferred to Odessa in a religious procession and remained in the city from August 6, 1854 to May 20, 1856. Every Friday before the liturgy, Archbishop Innocent read before the icon an akathist to the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, composed by himself. Sisters of mercy of the Holy Cross community took a vow in front of the icon.

Archbishop Innocent blessed the troops leaving for Sevastopol with the Kasperov icon. During prayer services, soldiers bought candles for copper pennies and nickels. The archbishop ordered that this money be kept separately from other donations, and then a copper cross be cast from it and installed in the cathedral in memory of future generations. Odessa remained unharmed. On October 1, 1854, the siege was lifted, after which it was decided “as a lesson to posterity, to make this event unforgettable and the day of October 1 to be a sacred holiday.” Since then, the miraculous icon began to be brought to Odessa on October 1, where it remained until Wednesday of Bright Week in the Transfiguration Cathedral.

After the defeat on the Alma River, which opened the way for Allied troops to Sevastopol and Simferopol, the retreat of Russian troops began. Archbishop Innocent arrived alone in Simferopol on September 13, 1854. The next day, the archbishop performed a prayer service in the cathedral, denouncing cowardice and calling for care for the troops. On September 15, Innocent sent a letter to the Commander-in-Chief, His Serene Highness Prince Alexander Menshikov, asking for permission to come to Sevastopol in order to pray with the troops and give them a copy of the Kasperov Icon, but was refused. On September 16, the archbishop delivered a sermon in the cathedral, blessing Simferopol and Crimea with the Kasperov Icon.

Since 1918, the miraculous image has been in the Transfiguration Cathedral constantly. In 1936, after the destruction of the cathedral, the Kasperov icon was moved to the Assumption Cathedral, which later became a cathedral. The miraculous image of the Kasperov Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary is still there today.

The Life of St. Roman the Sweet Singer

This week - October 1/14 - the memory of St. Roman the Sweet Singer is celebrated. Readers are offered a reconstruction of his biography, compiled on the basis of primary sources - his kontakia and lifetime testimonies.

There is not much evidence left about Saint Roman the Sweet Singer (late 5th – first half of the 6th century), one of the greatest hymnographers of the Byzantine world (Dante of the modern Greeks, according to Geltser[1]). Information about him is preserved in three groups of monuments. Firstly, in the synaxarions, the earliest of which, the Menologii of Basil II, dates back to the end of the 10th century[2]. Other synaxarions worth mentioning are the Berlin[3], Jerusalem[4] and Patmos[5], which may be associated with the life of Saint Romanus, which has not come down to us. The Code of Patmos gives the following information:

“On the same day - the memory of Saint Roman, creator of kontakions. He came from Syria, from the city of Emessa. He became a deacon in Beirut, in the Holy Church of God, the so-called Church of the Resurrection, but moved to Constantinople during the time of Tsar Anastasius and remained to serve in the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos in Kira, in which he acquired the grace of compiling kontakia, when the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to him in a dream in the evening She gave the Nativity of Christ and a parchment scroll and ordered her to eat it. After his absorption, Roman immediately woke up and, ascending to the pulpit, began to proclaim and sing very euphoniously: “Today the Virgin gives birth to the Most Essential.” Since that time, he compiled about a thousand kontakia for the Lord's holidays and the memory of various saints, many of which, written by his hand, are kept in Kira. He died in peace and was buried in the same church where his memory is celebrated.”[6]

The miracle of Roman the Sweet Singer. From the manuscript of the Menologii of Basil II, 10th century.

Basil's menology adds the following message to these:

“Staying in reverence and in vigil and in unceasing prayers at the vigil in the Blachernae church, he again returned to Kira.”

One of the earliest sources mentioning Saint Romanus is the life of Saint Artemius[7], which speaks about the events of the reign of Heraclius. It tells that Saint Artemy “from a young age, praying at vigils, chanted the verses of the humble Roman among the saints.”

The next group of testimonies is the service to St. Romanus; the canon published in the Menaion for October 1, signed with the name of Epiphanius in the Theotokos, [8] - give us little specific biographical information, one of the few is that he “from his youth gave all of himself to Christ” (canto 1, 2), in Constantinople led an ascetic lifestyle. In addition, the canon confirms the miracle with the appearance of the Mother of God, saying that “She who truly gave birth to the Incarnate Son of God enlightened your soul and deified your mind, filled with knowledge, who appeared to you as the Ever-Virgin” (canto 5 of Troparion 2). A canon signed with the name of Theophanes Grapt, published by Petridis, provides somewhat more information. It says that Saint Romanus was “the best deacon” (aristos diakonow – 6 canto 1 troparion); Let us note that the word aristos can be perceived not only in an axiological, but also in a social sense: as a “sacred preacher” (as Grodidier de Maton believes): this speaks of the poet’s service as a preacher, through his hymns. Below we will see that other interpretations are possible.

The canon says that Roman was υμνολογος and ὐμνογράφος (canto 7, troparion 3), that is, he wrote both texts and music. It is said that he studied the Scriptures from childhood and knew them perfectly when he arrived in Constantinople (canto 4, 2). It is also mentioned that he constantly attended the “churches” of the Virgin Mary.

Extremely interesting is a fragment of the kontakion to Saint Roman, published in part by Cardinal Pitre and in its entirety by Grodidier de Mathon. Unfortunately, only three ikos have reached us. Here are the most interesting fragments (the second and third icos):

His life was * an animated book and, known to everyone first, * appeared before the Lord. He was originally from the Jews, * but had an established mind. He was not a Pharisee, * but he was a most reliable vessel.

The position of the * royal army of the earth was elevated by the heart of a high man. He had wings * to ascend to the heights of angels, incorporeal forces, * who sing of the High Throne. With a lightning-fast image * of a crimson tunic and a rod, he preached true righteousness * to the kings. And there he was subjected to fear * and horror, and turned to his soul *. "My soul, render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's." But he definitely * preserved the work of God * and His commandments[9].

It was contemporary with the earthquakes of 527–529 and the Nika revolt in 532, as well as the construction of the new Hagia Sophia (537).

The third group of evidence is the kontakia of Roman the Sweet Singer themselves. Of course, this is the most unreliable material, since there is always the danger of subjective interpretation, however, it should be used since we are limited in information. Judging by the fact that Saint Romanus has a kontakion “On the earthquake and on the burning [of the Basilica of Hagia Sophia],” he was contemporary with the earthquakes of 527–529 and the Nika uprising in 532, as well as the construction of the new Church of Hagia Sophia (537) (in the kontakion “For an earthquake” it is said about the construction of the temple dome). The novel still saw the great earthquakes of 551–554: the kontakion “On Ten Virgins” says:

Unbearable threats * and constant earthquakes shook the earth * and everything in it, and forced the winds to flee * many varied blows * and the sea.

According to chroniclers[10], an earthquake in 551 forced the sea to retreat more than a mile. The earthquake of 554 was felt in both Alexandria and Constantinople. Consequently, in 554 (and a little later) Saint Romanus was still alive.

From these messages, as well as from other sources, we will try to reconstruct the biography of Saint Roman.

Roman the Sweet Singer was born in Syrian Emessa, into a Jewish, but obviously already Christianized family (in his service it is said that he followed Christ from his youth), but Roman’s personal baptism is also possible.

Judging by the fact that he came to Constantinople during the time of Emperor Anastasius († 518), the time of his death should be attributed to 560 (no later than 562); on the other hand, a certain (albeit short) time of his ministry in Beirut in the Church of the Resurrection had to pass; since the canonical age for ordination to the diaconate is no less than 25 years [11], then the time of birth of Saint Roman should be determined no later than 490. However, the estimated year of his death, 560, does not allow us to push the year of his birth earlier than 480. Therefore, Saint Romanus was born between 480 and 490.

Perhaps Roman Sladkopevets studied medical art: specific medical terms are often found in his kontakia.

He received a complete classical education, judging by the data of his kontakions, which mention the names of Aratus, Plato, Demosthenes, Homer, Pythagoras (kontakion for Pentecost, 17th stanza[12]). If Maas and Tripanis write that for Roman these names are just an empty phrase, a play on words [13], then Grodidier de Maton considers this enumeration significant: Pythagoras represents the three mathematical disciplines of the quadrivium - mathematics, geometry, music; astronomy is represented by the name of Aratus. The trivium is represented by the names of Homer (poetry), Demosthenes (rhetoric), Plato (philosophy)[14]. Perhaps Roman the Sweet Singer also studied medical art, at least in his kontakia we often find specific medical terms, for example in the kontakion for an earthquake - the specific term χειρούργημα; λώβη – leprosy (20th hymn, about the healing of a leper), quotes from Aelius of Amida – for example, the adjective ισόφωτον, specific medical expressions. All the more interesting are the fierce attacks on doctors found in St. Romanus’s kontakion on John the Evangelist, which are characterized by an excellent knowledge of medical terminology.

Roman Sladkopevets is well aware of medical terminology and, nevertheless, mercilessly mocks doctors. This mockery is expressed even at the lexical level: doctors are called nosotribountes - by analogy with παιδοτριβουντες - “educating, nurturing the disease.” For surgeons, Roman also comes up with another word: κρεοκοπία - literally: “meat grinder” - his personal invention from the verb κρεοκοπεω, found in tragedians. What does Saint Romanus incriminate against the doctors of his day? Mainly greed: “those who take away their souls through bribes”, the fact that by demanding excessive payment they bring their patients to starvation. In the kontakion “On Saint Panteleimon,” Saint Roman the Sweet Singer also attacks doctors, whom he calls “a corrupt assembly (or corporation) of false doctors”[15], and also emphasizes their greed. These invective is not a commonplace, not a contrast between the miraculous power of the saints and the feeble art of doctors, but something more: either the personal revenge of a deceived patient from whom the doctors extracted all the resources and did not cure, or the accusations of a doctor rejected by his colleagues and expelled from the corporation. Judging by Roman's long life and his knowledge of medical terminology and the realities of medicine, the latter should be assumed. Let us also note Roman's Jewish origin: in addition to usury, Jews in the Byzantine world often practiced medicine[16]. Perhaps Saint Romanus came from a Jewish medical background and in his early youth was engaged in healing. Probably, the invective against the greed of doctors suggests that Saint Romanus came into conflict with the medical corporation of Emessa because he was driving down the price of medical services, charging moderate fees or, in some cases, treating people for free. This assumption is confirmed by the fact that it was Roman who first encountered the use of the word ανάργυρος - “unmercenary” - in the modern meaning, and not in the ancient one (“having no money”)[17]. Perhaps the relocation of Saint Roman from Emessa to Beirut is connected with this clash.

St. Roman Sladkopevets. Fragment of the icon of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

At the beginning of the 6th century, Beirut was a significant cultural and intellectual center of the eastern Mediterranean, thanks in part to the presence of a famous school of law, where the famous Tribonian, one of the compilers of the Codex Iustiniani, studied. Beirut was a city full of many temptations: a theatre, a hippodrome, boastful displays of wealth - a city where witchcraft was widespread[18]. In order for a provincial Jew to make his way in such a big city, which had seen a lot, it was necessary to have extraordinary abilities. Nevertheless, Saint Roman succeeded; Probably his knowledge and poetic talent attracted the attention of church authorities, and he was ordained as a deacon for the Church of the Resurrection in Beirut. The Church of the Resurrection was very majestic and significant, possibly the cathedral church of Beirut; apparently it was located near the law school. Zechariah Scholasticus reports about it in the life of Sevier[19]. The position of a deacon in this church was quite significant; may have been related to charitable duties. At least when Roman the Sweet Singer writes about Joseph as “the breadwinner of the afflicted” (5, 26), a certain personal attitude is felt here. Perhaps the high position and service to the earthly king, which is mentioned in the kontakion dedicated to Roman the Sweet Singer, could be associated with charity, but this is one of the assumptions; most likely this mention is associated with the Constantinople period of the poet’s life.

The fact that Saint Roman was influenced by his stay at the center of jurisprudence is beyond doubt. In his works we often observe the clear legal thought of a person who is not alien to the skills of a lawyer and even an investigator.

Here are two characteristic episodes from the kontakion “On Joseph.”

The first is taking care of the clothing of the one who is sold into slavery:

He was given over to the Ismailis naked without clothing. If you are selling, give the robe * to the person calling... (5, 7)

The second is the inconsistency of Joseph’s accusation of attempted rape (the same kontakion):

If he had reason, * he would not have succumbed to deception, becoming the judge of the madman * Joseph. Witness to this is the tunic. * Where you were, explore and see if * your wife is right? Since she ran, * how did she take his clothes? (14, 5)

Saint Romanus, who always professed pro-Chalcedonian views, could become a victim of the Monophysite “purge” and be expelled from Beirut.

It is not documented why Saint Roman left Beirut and moved to Constantinople, however, based on indirect data, the following reconstruction can be made. According to chronological calculations, Roman appears in the capital in the last years of the life of Emperor Anastasius, that is, after 512. In 512, the Orthodox Patriarch Flavian of Antioch was deposed and the notorious Severus of Antioch, one of the most prominent Monophysite theologians and leaders of Monophysitism, was installed in his place. Persecution and oppression of the Orthodox clergy begins. Beirut, located within the Antioch Patriarchate, was a fairly prominent center, and the Church of the Resurrection was a fairly significant temple; consequently, Saint Romanos, who apparently had already composed kontakia and always professed Orthodox pro-Chalcedonian views, could attract the attention of the Monophysite church authorities, become a victim of a “purge” and be expelled from Beirut; he could have left on his own without enduring the oppression. An indirect confirmation of this is the kontakion on the “Three Youths”.

Come quickly, O generous one, * and quickly, like a merciful one, to our aid, to our salvation, * for you can do what You want. Stretch out your right hand, * this Egyptian invader * and the conquered Jew tested its power. Lord, do not leave us, * lest we be swallowed up by death, which thirsted for us, * Satan, who hates us. But come to us, Lord, * and spare our souls, as you once delivered * your faithful servants in Babylon, * who silently glorified You.

In addition to the general Old Testament reminiscences, the memory of “Egyptians fighting and Jews fighting” may have had another subtext: Monophysite heretics were often associated with Egypt - for example, Dioscorus was called a pharaoh, and later Sevier was also called the same. Therefore, it is natural that if Saint Romanus speaks of the Egyptians [20] attacking, then, among others, he may also mean the Monophysite heretics. Most likely, it was Monophysite persecution that forced Saint Roman to leave Beirut.

In Constantinople, he settles near the Church of Our Lady of Cyra. It is now known that the quarter of Kira was located not far from the cistern of St. Mokios, and on the other side it was approached by the quarter of Elevichos, where the church of St. Roman and the Roman Gate was located. This quarter extended to Deuteron, west of the wall of Constantine[21]. Monks lived in the Kira quarter and there was a monastery in it. He is known thanks to the signature on the council of 518: “John the presbyter and archimandrite of the monastery of Cyrus in Elevich”[22]. Saint Roman the Sweet Singer must have known both him and Archimandrite George, whose signature is present on the “house council” of 536. Perhaps the kontakion “On Monastic Life” is addressed specifically to the monks of this monastery.

It is unlikely that the Church of Our Lady was directly a monastery, however, it was connected with the monastery. This church was known as Kyriotissa[23]. It was in her that the vision about which the synaxari narrate took place. A number of researchers[24] believe that the story of eating a scroll (even in a dream) is only a literary topos present in the Bible - in the book of Ezekiel (2: 8 - 3: 3), in the Apocalypse (10: 9-10) , in the life of Ephraim the Syrian[25], in the story of Caedmon, who did not know how to sing and learned after someone appeared to him in a dream[26] - and they deny this vision any reliability, at least psychological. Unlike them, we do not think so: the readers of the Bible and hagiographic literature at this point were no more stupid and no more ignorant than us, and if there were nothing behind the report of such a vision except a literary cliche, moreover, well known to the readers, and it would not have a certain internal validity, it would not deserve trust. As for the similarity of situations in the above cases, it should be noted that the set of symbols, ideas and images in the human mind is limited, and to express the gift of speech, the gift of poetic creativity, the image of a book or scroll being eaten is the most adequate. In addition, we note that in history there are often cases when poets or scientists saw in a dream their creation or the problem they were studying[27].

The vision of the Mother of God, who gave Roman the list, can also be interpreted as a blessing for his activities in Constantinople

Indirect evidence that this vision in a dream really took place is Roman’s constant stay in Kira and the fact that he was buried near this church, although Kira was a rather modest quarter and later, due to the position he achieved, Saint Roman could lay claim to more. This connection can be explained by the fact of the vision and the fact that the church of Kyriotissa became a holy place for him. Another indirect confirmation is that one of the earliest kontakia in terms of time of origin is considered to be the kontakion for Christmas[28]; therefore, the vision story takes on a certain authenticity. What is the meaning of this vision? For the authors of the synaxarion, this meant the gift of poetic talent, but this vision can be interpreted in another way - as a blessing for activities in Constantinople.

In addition to a brief version of the description of this vision, there is a widespread, much later one (XIII-XIV centuries). Akaki Savvait reports a story according to which Roman did not have a voice and could not sing, for which he was subjected to ridicule. He turns to the Mother of God, who appears to him in a dream, asks what saddens him, and gives him a scroll in exchange for a promise to become a monk. Roman eats the scroll and then becomes a monk at the Awassu monastery[29].

The question arises: was Saint Roman a monk, and did he become one at least in the last years of his life?

This question has to be answered in the negative; it is enough to give an example from the kontakion “On Monastic Life”:

I know, I know how you will answer me, not with your lips, but with your thoughts: you teach us about the vicissitudes of the world, why do you yourself cling to the mortal? Do you look at the mote in your brother's eye, but don't feel the log in your own eye? If you see the truth, why don't you create?

How can I be saved if I do not care about mercy?

14.

Do not boast of spiritual gifts: what you have is mercy from the Lord; let not the abstinent judge the one who ate; let the one who ate honor the one who ate...[30]

The Kontakion “On Monastic Life” obviously refers to the last years of the life of Saint Roman the Sweet Singer[31]. Consequently, Akakios’ message that Romanus was a monk should be considered erroneous. In addition, the monastery of Awassu is almost unknown in early sources; it was mentioned only at the beginning of the 10th century. Finally, Akaki sees in Roman only a singer and composer, and not a poet.

Nicephorus Callistus Xanthopoulos, in his story about this vision, says that in the Church of the Mother of God there was a myrrh-streaming icon. Once, during a vigil at Christmas, Saint Roman fell asleep during the sixth ode of the canon, and then the Ever-Virgin appeared to him, giving him a scroll to eat. Before the seventh song, Roman went out to the pulpit and began to sing “Virgin of the Day”[32]. Xanthopoulos' story suffers from anachronisms: in the 6th century there was no canon in Constantinople, therefore, the story itself should be considered anachronistic and secondary, created on the basis of the synaxarion. However, the secondary stories of Akakios and Xanthopulos do not refute the reports of the synaxars.

The Patmos Synaxar says that Roman attended services in the Blachernae Church of Our Lady. This remark is worthy of attention: the Church of Our Lady of Blachernae, built under Marcian by Queen Pulcheria[33], was rebuilt under Justinian[34], expanded and decorated and became the third most important temple after Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Apostles. It was an imperial temple; it was no coincidence that Constantine Copronymus held the iconoclastic council of 742 in it.[35] Accordingly, service in this temple meant a certain proximity to the court, apparently after the accession of Justinian - or even earlier - during the reign of Justin. This is probably what the kontakion says:

The position of the * royal army of the earth was elevated by the heart of a high man.

It remains somewhat of a mystery why being at court or communicating with the emperor is compared to being in the king's army.

The fact that Saint Romanus reached a certain high position is certain: some of his kontakia are signed “κύρου Ρωμανοῦ” - “Mr. Romanos”.

Most likely, Roman the Sweet Singer was in the circle of imperial theologians and could have been valued by Justinian as a talented church poet. The words become even more mysterious:

With a lightning-fast image * of a crimson tunic and a rod, he preached true righteousness * to the kings. And there he was subjected to fear * and horror and addressed his soul *: “My soul, render * what is Caesar’s to Caesar.”

Perhaps Saint Romanus was among those who advised the emperor, frightened by the Nika uprising, to remain in Constantinople.

These lines, like the words about the earthly army, can be explained by only one thing - Roman’s active participation in politics. However, what is this fear and trembling that Saint Roman experienced? In the history of Justinian's time there was one episode when the whole of Constantinople and, above all, the imperial court were in a state of fear and horror - the Nika uprising (532), when the emperor was ready to leave the capital. And it was then that the need arose to recall the “lightning-fast image of the scarlet tunic” and the rod of faithful righteousness, which, according to Procopius of Caesarea, was what Queen Theodora did[36]. However, he also reports that even before her speech, there were different opinions among the advisers and some advised fleeing, while others advised staying. Perhaps Saint Romanus was among the latter. It is very likely that he took part in a litany - a public prayer regarding the uprising and fire, at least a description of this prayer is contained in his kontakion “On the Earthquake and Fire”:

After all, the city was supported by horrors * and there was great weeping, those who fear God * stretched out their hands to Him, asking for mercy from Him and an end to evils. With these same people, according to custom, * the king prayed, looking up to the Creator, * and with him his wife. “Grant me,” * he cried, “O Savior, * like Thy David, to defeat Goliath, * for I trust in Thee. Save Your faithful people, * as the merciful, as the giver of * eternal life.

The hymn clearly shows Roman's sympathy for the imperial power and hostility towards the rebels, who are compared to Goliath, called insane, etc. Thus, the assumption that Saint Romanus was a supporter of tough measures in relation to the riot is not without foundation.

There is a hypothesis that explains the term κυρ - “lord”. Paul Maas also proposed to identify with Roman the Sweet Singer the priest of the Great Church Roman, who bore the title ἐκκλησιέκδικος (Defender of the Church), who, on behalf of the “house council” of 536, was sent to the ex-patriarch Anthimus together with Bishop John, Bishop Thalassius of Beirut, Bishops Domnus and Peter and two deacons. The following considerations were put forward against this: tradition knows Roman as a deacon, and not as a priest; Most of the acrostics are signed with the name TAPEINOY ROMANOY - “humble Roman”, which indicates a low rank. Further: the synaxari indicate Roman’s connection with the church of Kyriotissa and Blachernae, but not with Hagia Sophia. Finally, Roman was buried near the Kirsk Church, and it was there that his autographs were preserved, and not in the Patriarchal Library. These objections should be answered as follows.

1. We have already noted the reasons that connected Saint Romanus with Kirami - this is a vision that he had in the church of Kyriotissa.

2. Historical memory and tradition tend to maintain a lower hierarchical level in the inscriptions of hymns. An example is the canons and stichera of Cosmas of Maium, called “Cosmas of a monk,” although, according to legend, he was the bishop of Maium; canons of Andrew of Crete, which are signed “the creation of Andrew of Jerusalem” or simply Andrew. Roman arrived in Constantinople as a deacon, and, apparently, remained as such in church memory.

3. In the conditions of the dominance of stationary liturgy and the feeling of the city as one big temple, connection with certain churches and service in them does not yet refute one or another official degree.

However, new findings are needed to confirm Maas's hypothesis.

What is the date of Roman's death? Judging by the kontakion “On the Ten Virgins,” which contains reports of the earthquakes of 551 and 554 (see above), Saint Romanus was still alive in 555–556. On the other hand, this kontakion is inscribed “almost the last”. Saint Romanus does not have a kontakion for the renovation of Hagia Sophia in 562 years; therefore, he appears to have died between 555 and 562. When calculating the average date, historians talk about the year 560, this figure is conditional. But we can name the day and month of his death - October 1, since this is the day of his memory. Judging by the life of Saint Artemius (see above), Saint Romanus was venerated as a saint already in the time of Heraclius, and his works were sung at vigils.

The grave of St. Roman the Sweet Singer was carefully preserved for centuries. At the beginning of the 13th century, it was shown to Anthony of Novgorod, who reports that “Roman the Sweet Singer was buried in the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary”[37].

Knowledge in law

His creations were also influenced by his stay at the center of jurisprudence. In his creations, he often carries a legal thought, where his good lawyer and investigative skills are felt.

It is not known why Saint Romanus left Beirut and went to Constantinople, but there are some assumptions that he moved there in 512, when the Orthodox Patriarch Flavian of Antioch was deposed, and the theologian and monophysite Severus of Antioch came to his place.

During his reign, serious oppression of Orthodox ministers began. Beirut was a prominent center along with the Church of the Resurrection

And Saint Romanos, who sculpted kontakia and always professed Orthodoxy and pro-Chalcedonian views, certainly could have immediately attracted attention and become an expelled victim of the Monophysite church rulers. Or perhaps he himself left, unable to withstand the oppression

An indirect confirmation of this is the kontakion of the Three Youths.

Texts of prayers to Roman the Wonderworker

The prayers are written specifically for women who want to give birth to a child. They are both about the same thing. The Monk Roman of Antioch is asked to give him a child. Regardless of gender. As the Lord decides, both son and daughter should rejoice.

First

Marveling at your exploits, Venerable Roman, we pray to you, hear us calling you. Having shut yourself up in a small cell until your death, you remained there, eating poorly and having no fire, wearing a hair shirt, wearing heavy chains. Having been granted divine grace, you healed many people’s illnesses, Saint Roman, and through your prayer you resolved many wives from infertility. Therefore, now we pray, listen with reverence and zeal to the barren wives who fall to you and pray to you; pray to the Lord God that with His omnipotent power He will resolve their infertility and give them children, because our God is good and loving, looking down on us from above and fulfilling our forgiveness. Amen.

Second

Oh, Reverend Father Roman, hear us calling you. Having shut yourself up in a small cell, eating meagerly and having no fire, wearing a hair shirt, wearing heavy chains, you remained there until your death. For this, for the sake of Divine grace, having been vouchsafed, you healed many people’s ailments and through your prayer you resolved many wives from infertility. And now listen with reverence and zeal to the barren women who fall and pray to you; pray to the Lord God that with His omnipotent power He will resolve their infertility and give them children, for our God is good and loving, looking down on us from above and fulfilling our petitions. Amen.

Basil the Great

The boy was born in the first century into a wealthy family. The father was a famous master of rhetoric and lawyer in Pontus. The parents were famous for their adherence to the Orthodox faith; out of ten descendants, five were considered saints. Vasily received an excellent education from teachers in Caesarea, Constantinople and Athens, where he became friends with Gregory the Theologian.

The father wanted his son to follow in his footsteps and study law and rhetoric. But he renounced worldly life and devoted himself to ascetic pursuits. He received baptism and the rank of reader, then, in order to study theology, he went to Egypt, where he comprehended Christian deeds. Then he visited Palestine, Syria and Mesopotamia to get acquainted with the life of hermits. When he returned to Cappadocia, he gave his property to the needy, organized a hostel near the Iris River and gathered monks in it, where everyone worked, spent their days in prayer and studied sacred works. Basil the Great compiled a set of rules for spiritual life, which was accepted by many monastic monasteries.

In those days, the teaching of Arius, where God the father, and the son and the holy spirit were subordinate to him, posed a great danger to Christians. The father of Gregory the Theologian, archbishop of Nazianza, was in advanced years and could not resist the heretics and called his son to help. Vasily was forced to return to Caesarea, where he was assigned the rank of deacon and then presbyter. He was elected Bishop of Cappadocia and was engaged in charity work, providing people with work in workshops, erecting hospitals, defending the poor and sick, who loved him for his decency and compassion. The Saint died before he even reached the age of fifty, and was counted among the holy saints.

//Skinny kitten//

Marina KIREIKO

After 15 years of futile attempts to conceive a child, a miracle happened in the Yaroslavl Rozhkov family

For 15 years, doctors could not understand why the patient could not get pregnant. Tests, painful procedures, pills by the handful - nothing helped to remove the terrible diagnosis of “infertility.” The ROZHKOVS were already in despair when the unbelieving Tatyana suddenly discovered a frayed piece of paper at the bottom of her bag and remembered that for two years she had had a prayer donated by a friend to some saint.

Today Tatyana and Igor Rozhkov remember with horror those nightmarish

15 years. After all, they began to dream of a baby as soon as they got married, but pregnancy still did not occur. A year or two passed, and then the couple began to worry. The doctors made a disappointing diagnosis - infertility of the partners. But they could not identify its causes. Over the years of treatment, Rozhkov was replaced by more than a dozen doctors, but to no avail.

Test of love

— My husband and I were checked for compatibility, we had a spermogram, electrophoresis, and I had my fallopian tubes blown out. The result is zero,” recalls Tatyana. - We change the doctor - and everything is new: the same tests, the same procedures. And I’m already over 30!

Coming home, Tatyana threw herself on the bed and sobbed... She just once again saw a young mother with a child on the street. Friends tactlessly asked: “Well, when are you?”

After 15 years of unsuccessful treatment, one evening Tatyana asked her husband:

- Igor, let's take the baby from the orphanage!

It turned out that the husband himself had thought about it more than once, but he didn’t dare say it.

“We have already chosen an orphanage,” says Tatyana.

Magic number three

While paying at the store, Tatyana came across a piece of paper lying in her purse. It turned out that this was a prayer to St. Roman the Wonderworker , which a friend gave her two years ago. It was necessary to pray in an open space every Friday at sunrise.

“I didn’t think then that prayer would help us, and I completely forgot about it,” says Rozhkova. “But when you despair, you begin to believe everything.”

For three days in a row, at five o’clock in the morning, Tatyana went out onto the balcony and mentally prayed to the saint.

- Everything came together so well! - husband Igor rejoices. “We just changed our doctor, Elena Ataulova morally supported her wife in an unscientific initiative. Without her, perhaps the miracle would not have happened.

Tatyana and Igor, although they were baptized in childhood, did not consider themselves believers.
They didn’t go to church and didn’t observe Orthodox fasts, but, as the couple say, they treated Christian traditions with respect. “In March I prayed, and in April I became pregnant,” the young mother recalls. “I was 33 years old then.” When the woman came for the ultrasound, the doctor gasped.

- Don’t bother me, tell me straight, is there a child or not? - Rozhkova got excited.

- There are... and not one, but three! — the doctor turned the monitor so that Tatyana could see this miracle.

Then Tatyana firmly decided: if a boy is born, she will name him Roman in honor of the saint.

Two sisters and a brother

Today the Rozhkovs can’t stop looking at their trio and won’t say a prayer. The children turned out like pictures: beautiful, fair-haired, blue-eyed. The only thing Tatyana was afraid of was whether she could bear such wealth, but the doctors reassured them and promised three heroes.

Closer to the birth, doctors found out that one boy and two girls would be born. In the Yaroslavl maternity ward, such patients are rare, so ten doctors attended Tatyana’s birth. In the eighth month they had a caesarean section, and in December, exactly after the day of remembrance of Roman the Wonderworker, that is, under the patronage of the saint, cute triplets were born. Roma is the spitting image of dad. Masha looks like her mother, but Sveta is generally a heroic girl.

- She weighed the most - 2480 kg, and ate three of them. She is still voracious with us. And such a flirt! - the parents laugh, claiming that they are three times more happy than they dreamed of.

Prayer to Roman the Wonderworker

Marveling at your exploits, Venerable Roman, we pray to you, hear us calling you. Having shut himself up in a small cell until his death, he remained there, eating poorly and having no fire, in a hair shirt, wearing heavy chains.

Having been honored with Divine grace, you healed many people’s ailments, Saint Roman, and through your prayer you resolved many wives from infertility. Therefore, now we pray, listen with reverence and zeal to the barren wives who come to you and pray to you; pray to the Lord God that with His omnipotent power He will resolve their infertility and give them children, because our God is good and loving, looking down upon us from above and fulfilling our petitions. Amen.

The machinations of envious people

Roman, who was not taught to read and write from childhood and was deprived of the opportunity to read spiritual literature, nevertheless surpassed many scribes in his godly deeds. For this he gained the love of Patriarch Efimy, a man of high spiritual qualities, who became his mentor and patron. However, this disposition of the head of the church aroused the envy of many clergy, who saw the patriarch’s favorite in the young sexton.

It is known that envy often pushes people to do mean things. This applies equally to laity and clergy. So many of the Constantinople clergy grumbled at the patriarch and tried to build all sorts of intrigues for Roman in order to humiliate him in the eyes of the primate of the church. One day they succeeded.

How do prayers help Roman the Wonderworker?

It often happens that a woman has wanted a child for a long time, but all her attempts to conceive end in nothing. She tries both traditional and non-traditional methods of treatment, does not give up, continues to hope and is very active. But years pass, and the long-awaited child still does not appear. Then, finally, she decides to turn her prayers to Roman the Wonderworker for infertility. And often it helps. And the woman finally finds the happiness of motherhood.

But there are also cases when there are no problems with conception, the pregnancy seems to be proceeding relatively normally, but a difficult birth is ahead, and the doctors’ forecasts are not very encouraging. And in this situation, prayers to St. Roman the Wonderworker will become a strong support for the future woman in labor. Her fear of the upcoming procedure will be overcome, and she will be able to cope with childbirth more easily.

Life of Roman the Sweet Singer

Memorial Day: October 14

The future Reverend was originally from Syria, where he received his spiritual education, since from an early age he felt within himself a desire to serve the Lord God. Later he moved to Constantinople, where he began to serve as a cleric in the Christian Church of Hagia Sophia (5th century). Roman especially liked holiday services, and although he had neither hearing nor a voice, he very actively helped in their conduct. The Patriarch loved him very much for the zeal and efforts of the young man, but other clergy, seeing his favor towards the young man, began to oppress and ridicule Roman. One day he was pushed out during a church service in front of the parishioners and had to sing. Of course, he disgraced himself and ran away from the temple.

We advise you to study Prayers for toothache

He spent the whole night in suffering and fervent prayers before the face of the Mother of God, not knowing that centuries later people would ask him for creative inspiration, offering a prayer to Roman the Sweet Singer for singing.

The Holy Virgin Mary appeared to the zealous young man, holding out a paper scroll and commanding him to eat it. After this, Roman became the owner of a wonderful voice, ear for music and poetic talent. At the next service, he amazed everyone with the chant of his first kontakion, as his voice was beautiful and his words wonderful.

Prayers to St. Roman the Wonderworker for the gift of children

Friends, good afternoon. Continuing the theme of prayers for pregnancy and a successful birth, I would like to supplement it with prayers to St. Roman the Wonderworker. I confess to you that I only recently learned about this saint, but many women claim that through prayer to the saint they learned the joy of motherhood.

NOVEL THE MIRACLE WORKER (ANTIOCH, SYRIAN)

Roman the Wonderworker was born in Syria in the fifth century AD. This saint dedicated his entire life to the Lord, becoming known among the people as a great faster, man of prayer and recluse. The monk lived for many years in seclusion, starving, without lighting a fire, and wearing heavy chains under his hair shirt. Roman steadfastly, without grumbling, bore his cross, for which the Lord rewarded the saint with the gifts of insight and healing. Through Roman’s prayers, God gave many women the joy of motherhood. The saint died in old age, but to this day many women pray to the great saint for conception and during difficult childbirth.

The Greatness of St. Roman the Wonderworker - November 27/December 10.

PRAYERS TO THE REVEREND ROMAN THE MIRACLE WORKER FOR THE GIVING OF CHILDREN AND IN DIFFICULT BIRTH

First prayer

Marveling at your exploits, Venerable Roman, we pray to you, hear us calling you. Having shut yourself up in a small cell until your death, you remained there, eating poorly and having no fire, wearing a hair shirt, wearing heavy chains. Having been granted divine grace, you healed many people’s illnesses, Saint Roman, and through your prayer you resolved many wives from infertility. Therefore, now we pray, listen with reverence and zeal to the barren wives who fall to you and pray to you; pray to the Lord God that with His omnipotent power He will resolve their infertility and give them children, because our God is good and loving, looking down on us from above and fulfilling our forgiveness. Amen.

Second prayer

Oh, Reverend Father Roman, hear us calling you. Having shut yourself up in a small cell, eating meagerly and having no fire, wearing a hair shirt, wearing heavy chains, you remained there until your death. For this, for the sake of Divine grace, having been vouchsafed, you healed many people’s ailments and through your prayer you resolved many wives from infertility. And now listen with reverence and zeal to the barren women who fall and pray to you; pray to the Lord God that with His omnipotent power He will resolve their infertility and give them children, for our God is good and loving, looking down on us from above and fulfilling our petitions. Amen.

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PRAYERS AND PRAYERS FOR PREGNANCY AND SAFE BIRTH PRAYERS FOR THE GIVING OF CHILDREN AND FOR WOMEN'S DISEASES

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Roman Sladkopevets, life

This saint was from Greece and was born in Syria in the city of Emes in 490. From an early age, he felt his destiny to serve the Lord, so he led a righteous life, constantly prayed and renounced all worldly goods.

After the Reverend received a Christian education, he was taken to serve as a deacon in the city of Beirut, in the Church of the Resurrection. During the reign of Emperor Dikore Anastasia I, Saint Romanus moved to Constantinople for permanent residence. There he received the position of cleric in the Patriarchal Church of St. Sophia.

He was not particularly noted at the service, although he diligently helped during the services. At the same time, he had neither a voice, nor hearing, nor poetic abilities. The Patriarch was very attached to Roman and brought him closer to himself for his purity of thoughts and faith.

Because of the special attitude towards the patriarch, Saint Roman began to be oppressed by other clergy. They decided to punish him by making him laugh at one of the services on Christmas Eve. Saint Roman was pushed into the middle of the temple and forced to sing. At this moment, many believers were present, the emperor himself with his retinue and the patriarch. Reverend Roman tried to sing in a hoarse voice and indistinctly, but was disgraced.

After the service, Roman, at home in sadness, prayed for a very long time and earnestly to the Blessed Virgin. When the Mother of God appeared to him, she gave him a scroll and ordered him to eat it. As a result, a miracle happened, and Roman received a wonderful voice, hearing and the opportunity to write church texts.

In gratitude, that same night the Venerable Roman the Sweet Singer wrote his famous hymn in honor of the Nativity of Christ:

The next day, Saint Roman himself volunteered to sing and did it so beautifully that those present could not contain their delight and called him “The Sweet Singer.” When he was asked where he received such a gift, Roman spoke openly about the grace of the Mother of God. All his envious people and enemies asked for forgiveness and repented of their atrocities. The Patriarch elevated him to the rank of deacon.

From that time on, he became the adornment of all divine services and performed hymns and kontakia written by him.

After Saint Roman the Sweet Singer received universal love, he began to pass on his skills to others. Using the gift he received, he taught singing and organized church choirs in Constantinople with great success. It was the saint who was able to elevate the singing in the temple, giving it melody and harmony. In addition, he wrote many prayers and hymns. On all major Christian holidays the works of St. Roman are performed.

Before his death in 556, Romanus became a monk and lived out his days in the monastery of Avas. For his activities and enormous legacy, he was canonized. The Blachernae Church was of particular importance to the monk; he loved to visit and serve there. It was here that the appearance of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary took place, which is why Saint Roman is depicted on the icon of the Intercession, but he lived in a different time.

Icon of St. Roman the Sweet Singer

The Venerable Roman the Sweet Singer is one of the founders of church singing, a holy man, thanks to whom Orthodox believers enjoy the most beautiful melodies that accompany every service in churches.

From birth, the Lord assigns a heavenly patron and intercessor from among the saints to a person. Venerable Roman is an Orthodox saint who has earned veneration through his godly deeds and the most wonderful support of Christians who turned to him both during his lifetime and near his holy image.

History of the icon

Saint Roman the Sweet Singer was born in Syria in 490. From childhood, his main desire was to live to please the Lord. He kept all the commandments of God, offering prayers to the saints daily. The saint renounced everything worldly, wanting to completely devote himself to serving the Lord. Already at a young age, he received a low position as a clergyman in the Church of Hagia Sophia. The young altar boy worked hard and helped in the temple, winning the love of the parishioners and the local clergy.

Other church ministers were jealous of the young man's special position. As punishment, they ridiculed Roman at one of the Christmas services, pushing him into the center of the temple and forcing him to sing. That day, many important and respected people gathered at the church service at Hagia Sophia. Among them was the Byzantine emperor himself and the main patriarch. Roman's honor was tarnished: trying to sing in a hoarse voice, he only caused laughter from the audience.

After the young man’s long prayers, the Mother of God descended from heaven. She placed a folded parchment in his hands, ordering him to eat it. The young clergyman did as the Blessed Virgin told him, and immediately a divine miracle happened. The monk became the owner of a wonderful voice and hearing, and at the same time the Queen of Heaven gave him the talent for writing church songs.

At the next service, Roman sang in front of all the visitors to the temple, striking them with the beauty of his voice. From that time on, they began to call him “The Sweet Singer.” The young servant did not hide the reason for the sudden appearance of talent. He spoke about the gift of the Blessed Virgin. Everyone who wished harm to the young man repented and asked for forgiveness for their bad deeds. The Patriarch awarded Roman the Sweet Singer the rank of deacon. Since then, the church singer began to write the most beautiful songs for worship, after which he personally performed them in the temple. Many people came to the church to hear the divine voice of the young man. The novel received the respect and love of the residents. He taught other people to sing and organized church choirs. Gradually, his songs began to be sung in many churches in the city.

Where is the image of St. Roman located?

The Venerable Roman the Sweet Singer made a tremendous contribution to church hymns, giving it a special melody and harmony. For his labors and loyalty to the Lord, he was canonized as a saint, and an icon was painted in his honor. Currently, his songs and prayers are read in every church.

The holy image of St. Roman the Sweet Singer adorns many churches in our homeland. Particular veneration is paid to the icon of the Righteous One in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in St. Petersburg. Every year on October 14, a service is held in the church in memory of St. Roman. Also, two churches were erected in honor of the martyr: the Church of Roman the Sweet Singer in St. Petersburg and in Moscow, on the territory of the Transfiguration Cathedral at the Novo-Spassky Monastery.

Description of the icon

There are various icons with the face of Saint Roman. Very often the image of a martyr is depicted on a shrine in honor of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary. On it, icon painters depict the saint in the center, in the robes of a monk. There are also independent icons where the Reverend is depicted in full growth, and in his hands he holds a scroll, which is a symbol of his divine talent and church activity.

What does Rev. Roman the Sweet Singer help with?

Before the holy image of the martyr they pray with requests for help in the art of chanting. The saint also helps and supports people engaged in creative activities. This is especially true for music and poetry. Orthodox people turn to Roman with requests for help in the spiritual understanding of the Holy Book.

The novel The Sweet Singer protects you from envious people, helps you find true friends, protects your home from enemies, gives you confidence in your strengths and abilities, and supports you in difficult moments of life. The monk is also the patron and protector of men who bear the name Roman.

Days of celebration

Orthodox believers pay tribute to Saint Roman on the day when they celebrate the great feast of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary. The date falls on October 14 (October 1, old style).

Prayer to Roman the Sweet Singer in front of the icon

“Oh, most holy martyr Roman! I will not forget Your deeds until the end of my life. We always remember You when we offer prayers to the saints and to the Lord, for we read our prayers from Your words. We remember Your pious actions! We ask You, Great Righteous One, protect us from evil, pray before the Lord for our souls, for our children, and do not leave us without help, for our hearts are filled with faith and love for Christ. Do not let us lose heart, protect our homes from enemies, protect our souls from the tricks of the devil. Mention our names before the Lord in Heaven and do not stop praying for us. Inspire us, endow us with talent and become a patron in our deeds and endeavors! May our lives be righteous, pleasing to our Lord Jesus, for all glory and praise goes to Him, all honor and worship. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. From now on and forever and ever. Amen".

Each icon is an invisible connection between a person and the one depicted in the holy image. That is why prayers addressed to the saints next to their miraculous faces have unlimited power and help. We wish you strong faith, be happy

Yokos v7i

Singing your praiseworthy life on earth2, we joyfully glorify the di1vnagw in your 1x tsrs nbsnagw. You enjoy the blessing in the villages of the holy ones, and even see the endless glory of God. Mh ўmi1lnw we sing thy2: Joy, ћkw beauty and3 glory of the world segw2 tрsсл є3сi2. Rejoice, I have transferred your soul to a high rank. Rejoice, your verb is broadcasting to the universe and fulfillment. Rejoice, teach beneficial knowledge to everyone. Rejoice, sweet bath tub2, proclaiming the glory of God. Rejoice, crowned with God, who has not left us in your prayers. Rejoice, sweetly singing novel, beauty2 tsRk0vnaz.

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE:

December 10

PRAYER

Marveling at your exploits, Venerable Roman, we pray to you, hear us calling you. Having shut yourself up in a small cell until your death, you remained there, eating poorly and having no fire, wearing a hair shirt, wearing heavy chains. Having been granted divine grace, you healed many people’s illnesses, Saint Roman, and through your prayer you resolved many wives from infertility. Therefore, now we pray, listen with reverence and zeal to the barren wives who fall to you and pray to you; pray to the Lord God that with His omnipotent power He will resolve their infertility and give them children, because our God is good and loving, looking down on us from above and fulfilling our forgiveness. Amen.

Great gift of the Mother of God

Having swallowed the charter, the future saint awakened, but the Mother of God had already left him. Having not yet fully realized what had happened, Roman suddenly felt within himself an understanding of the Teachings of God. This happened because the Most Holy Virgin opened his mind to the knowledge of the wisdom contained in the Holy Scriptures, as Christ once did to his disciples. Until recently, tormented by resentment and humiliation, now in tears he thanked the Queen of Heaven for the knowledge that she gave him in the blink of an eye.

Having waited for the hour when the festive chant should have been sung during the all-night vigil, Roman the Sweet Singer, of his own free will, rose to the pulpit and sang the kontakion he himself composed in such a wondrous voice that everyone in the church froze in amazement, and when they came to their senses, they came to indescribable delight. This was a kontakion, performed to this day in Orthodox churches in honor of the Great Feast of the Nativity of Christ.

Miracles and veneration of St. Roman Kirzhachsky

Centuries passed, but the veneration of the Kirzhach abbot did not fade away with his death. The monks placed a shrine over the place of his burial, and then a carved canopy over it. They painted an icon of St. Roman. In front of the saint’s shrine, unquenchable lamps burned. A troparion and kontakion in his honor were minted on its side walls. For a long time, on the Holy Gates at the entrance to the monastery, pilgrims were informed by an inscription that “The Kirzhach Annunciation Monastery was founded in the 14th century, from 1354 to 1358, by the Monk Sergius, abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery, with the blessing of Metropolitan Alexy, the Moscow miracle worker, on the basis of this again returned to the Holy Trinity Monastery, at the admonition and entreaty of two archimandrites sent by Saint Alexy; Instead of himself, he left his first disciple, the Venerable Hieromonk Roman, as rector at the Kirzhach Monastery, whose relics are kept under wraps here. In his memory, according to the zeal of the people, memorial services are held, and a troparion and kontakion are minted for him on the tomb.”

It is noteworthy that in handwritten calendars of the 17th–18th centuries, the first Kirzhach abbot is called a venerable and wonderworker. The fires of the monastery, which destroyed most of the archive, could also have destroyed the records of the miracles of the Monk Roman, which gave reason to even call him a miracle worker. Priest Alexander Lyannov, serving in the city of Mstera, Vladimir region, relayed the story of his grandmother, Anna Ivanovna Yakusheva, which he heard from her in the mid-1980s. At the end of the 1920s, Anna Ivanovna lived in the village of Ratkovo, Kirzhach district. One of the residents of Ratkovo had a little daughter who was seriously ill and could not walk from birth. Around 1928, shortly before the closing of the Annunciation Cathedral, on the day of remembrance of St. Roman (July 29), the mother, as usual, decided to go to church with her daughter, deeply revering the reverend. She put the sick child on her shoulders and walked into the city. Afraid of being late for the Divine Liturgy, the woman left early and arrived long before the service began. Tired from the journey, the mother with the sick girl in her arms sat down to rest on the steps of the Annunciation Church. A blue fog rose from the river and softly enveloped the monastery churches. A tired child asked his mother for something to drink. Suddenly, a handsome old man in monastic clothes approached them and offered the girl milk. The baby took a few sips and, thanking her, returned the unfinished milk to her kind grandfather. A few minutes later, the child turned to his mother again: “Mom, I feel so good, I wish I could drink more!” Leaving her daughter on the steps of the temple, the woman rushed to catch up with the old monk, but could not find him anywhere. Returning, the mother took the girl in her arms and went up to the Annunciation Cathedral. She prayed with tears, confessed and took communion. The little girl sat nearby on a bench and looked at the church with curiosity. On the wall she noticed a familiar image of a kind old man who gave her milk and showed it to her mother. It turned out to be the Monk Roman, abbot of Kirzhach. After the end of the service, the sick girl felt so much better that she was able to walk the entire way back from Kirzhach to Ratkovo on her own legs. After the miraculous healing, the girl always walked barefoot from early spring to late autumn, causing jokes and ridicule from those around her.

View of the monastery at the beginning of the 20th century

In 1928, the Annunciation Cathedral was closed. During the Great Patriotic War, there was a kerosene shop in the basement of the temple, where there were always long queues. One day, people standing behind kerosene saw an old monk dressed in a robe on the roof of the cathedral. With a censer in his hands, the elder walked around the roof and burned the city of Kirzhach from all sides. Through the prayerful intercession of the patron saint, the city of Kirzhach remained aloof from hostilities.

In 1990–1991, the Kirzhach Monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. The Annunciation Cathedral was opened for worship as a parish church, and the parish took the first steps to restore the monastery churches. In 1996, the famous historian S.A. Belyaev began large-scale archaeological work in the tomb of St. Roman. In the center of the chapel, at a depth of about two meters from the ancient floor, the holy relics of St. Roman were found, miraculously preserved, despite all the vicissitudes of history, and not disturbed by all kinds of work on this place. This event took place on November 12, 1996.

Annunciation Kirzhach Monastery. Annunciation Cathedral, Church of the Savior and bell tower of the Church of All Saints

Temple at the Conservatory

A unique monument to the famous poet and composer is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory. It is here that the memory of this saint and the Day of Roman the Sweet Singer are honored with special warmth: October 14 is celebrated as a professional holiday. This is not surprising, because the people who gathered within the walls of the conservatory received from God the same musical gift as the author of the hymns that came to us from the 6th century. For all students and teachers, Roman Sladkopevets is the heavenly patron. The icon on which his holy image is represented enjoys special honor here.

Throughout his life, the holy Venerable Roman the Sweet Singer set an example of how the Eternal Creator sends down his gifts in response to pure and sincere love for him, how generously he pours out grace on those whose hearts are open to him and who are ready to reject earthly vanity, taking the path of high service .

Life of St. Roman Kirzhachsky

The Monk Roman Kirzhachsky was born in the first quarter of the 14th century. He labored in spiritual deeds in the monastery of St. Sergius of Radonezh. According to the rules of the monastery, Roman, having entered the ranks of the brethren, had to undergo the harsh test of a novice. Anyone who wanted to take monastic vows was given long clothes made of black cloth by the abbot. Together with everyone else, the student underwent a series of obediences and only after testing his toughness was he tonsured. In all likelihood, in the second half of the 14th century, on October 1, on the day of the celebration of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and the memory of St. Roman the Sweet Singer, a disciple of Sergius took monastic tonsure in honor of St. Roman the Sweet Singer.

The discord that arose in the monastery as a result of the reluctance of part of the brethren to have St. Sergius as abbot forced the saint to retire with Roman to the Pokrovsky forests. Here they laid the foundation of the Annunciation Kirzhach Monastery. Returning then to the monastery at the request of Metropolitan Alexy and another part of the brethren, the Monk Sergius instructed Roman to complete the construction of the new monastery. Saint Alexy ordained Roman as a monk and granted him the rank of abbot of the Annunciation Kirzhach Monastery.

The year of foundation of the monastery is considered to be 1358. Just as in the Trinity Monastery, a communal charter was soon established in the Kirzhach Monastery. From its very foundation until its abolition in 1764, the Annunciation Monastery remained close to the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. According to church historians, the Monk Roman entered the chronicles of the Kirzhach Monastery as its first abbot. Roman especially encouraged the book studies of his brethren, which introduced them to the highest knowledge of spiritual science. They read a lot at the monastery, carefully copying liturgical books and patristic works. This is evidenced by the handwritten books of the Kirzhach Monastery of the 14th century that have reached us: the Lives of the Saints, the Ladder of St. John, the Apocalypse with the interpretation of St. Andrew of Caesarea and the Breviary with the subsequent tonsure into the monastic rank. Hegumen Roman reposed on July 29, 1392.

The story of a saint

The icon “Roman the Sweet Singer” was painted in honor of an Orthodox saint who was born and lived in the fifth century in Syria. Roman's Greek family lived in the city of Emes and was quite wealthy. Roman was able to get a good education at a Christian school, where he first began to study music, although he did not have any obvious talent.

Venerable Roman the Sweet Singer

The beginning of the singing journey

Under the reign of Emperor Anastasia Dikor Roman moved to the capital Constantinople and became a cleric in the local church of Hagia Sophia. The young man was very diligent in his work and helped the patriarch in every possible way, which did not go unnoticed. Although at that time he did not show any special musical talents.

For his painstaking and honest service, Roman was close to Patriarch Euthymius, who had tender feelings for the young man. This not only did not make the young man popular, but, on the contrary, turned many ministers against him. Roman was repeatedly abused by senior servants and once experienced real humiliation. The clergy pushed him right into the church pulpit during the Christmas service, and the deacon had to perform solo in front of a crowded crowd.

Since he did not show any special talents in music, this turned into a real humiliation. The emperor himself and his family were at the service, and everyone heard Roman’s weak and uncertain singing.

Help of the Virgin Mary

After the failure, Roman returned home and prayed to the Mother of God for a long time, asking to give him the talent of singing. It is not known exactly how long he prayed, but while he was crying, the Mother of God appeared to him and handed him a paper scroll. According to Roman's stories, he was supposed to eat the scroll that was served, which he immediately did. Immediately after this, the young man acquired a clear and pure voice and an excellent ear for music.

Appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a dream

In addition, he began to write poetry and songs, immediately creating the famous kontakion “The Virgin is giving birth to the Most Essential,” which is regularly sung in churches at Christmas.

On the second day after the miracle happened, Roman came to the temple and insisted that he be allowed to sing several hymns on the pulpit. It was still Christmas and it was an all-night service. He performed the kontakion he had written and aroused everyone's admiration. The emperor himself personally thanked and named the deacon the Sweet Singer.

At each subsequent meeting, Roman the Sweet Singer performed his psalms, and later began teaching singing in Constantinople.

Interesting! Throughout his life, he composed and recorded more than a thousand hymns and psalms.

Life of a Saint

Roman the Wonderworker, already mature, made the decision to retire from the bustle and devote all his thoughts to serving the Lord. For his purpose, he chose a monastery near Antioch. His home was a small cell.

The Lord gave him long life. At the same time, he was content with little. His food was bread, water, salt. And even then a little bit at a time. There was enough food to just keep from starving. He never lit a fire. He did not consume hot food or drink.

The saint lived in severe asceticism. The clothes he was wearing were:

• hair shirt;
• iron shackles.

For all his torment, he was awarded God's grace, which consisted in granting him the ability to help the suffering. Reverend Roman spent many hours praying for childless families. Thanks to the saint, many women became mothers. Returning the lost to the righteous path was also available to Saint Roman.

Until his last breath, he did not retreat from his post, prayed, asked for grace for people. Already in old age, he peacefully left the living and went to the Lord.

How do prayers to Saint Roman the Sweet Singer help?

The venerable saint wrote many ecclesiastical works:

• church hymns;
• strong prayers;
• kontakion and akathists.

Today, each of us can offer a prayer to the Venerable Roman the Sweet Singer in order to better understand the Holy Scriptures.

In the Kiev Church there is a piece of the relics of the Venerable One, and it is there that many believers come to offer a prayer to Roman the Sweet Singer for the acquisition of wisdom and knowledge.

O great and wonderful Roman, truly a sweet singer. We appeal to you, partaker of heavenly glory and adornment of angelic faces - cleanse our hearts, so that we worthily serve our one and only Lord. You know the difficulties of the earthly path and already know the jubilant holy joy of heaven. You know that many of us long to serve with all our soul, strength and thought, but our passion-stricken souls drag us to the bottom of a dark abyss.

Don't leave us in the dark. Knowing what we may lose, help us worthily glorify the Lord, His Most Pure Mother and all the saints. Help us to cleanse ourselves of passions, guide our lips, pray to the sweetest Lord, that He will give us the right understanding of the singing ministry. May we worthily stand on the one holy heavenly choir and give glory to our Lord forever and ever.

Prayers to the saint help develop talents and abilities; the saint also protects men named Roman. They ask the Reverend for protection from enemies and envious people, as well as in difficult moments of life.

Icon of Roman the Sweet Singer

St. Roman is especially revered by people professionally involved with music, art and, of course, church singing. In addition, they pray to the saint with the request:

• About the development of musical and any creative talent;

• About assistance in professional self-realization;

• About protection in case of envy, from ill-wishers;

• About getting rid of your own vices and sins;

• About gaining confidence before public speaking;

• On understanding the Holy Scriptures and the words of prayer chants;

• About making friends and helping in difficult situations.

Men named Roman turn to their patron saint for all their needs. It is known that for saints there are no unimportant prayers. The prayer to Saint Roman, if you bear this name, sounds like this:

“Pray to God for me, holy saint of God Roman, because I diligently ask for your intercession, an assistant in everything and a prayer book for my soul.”

The donated or purchased icon of Saint Roman should be placed in the home iconostasis. It is usually arranged in the “red corner” - opposite the door, by the window, or in any clean and bright place. On a special shelf for icons, which can be bought in shops at churches, the image of the Lord Jesus Christ is placed in the center, on the left - the Most Holy Theotokos, and on the right - a revered saint, for example, the namesake of you or your loved ones - here the icon of the Venerable Roman the Sweet Singer would be appropriate. If necessary, you can arrange an iconostasis on a bookshelf, but only next to spiritual books, and not entertainment publications.

There are several prayers to Saint Roman. The first prayer to Roman the Sweet Singer can be read online in Russian using the text below:

Our Reverend Father Roman! Look at us graciously, bring those who are near the earth to the heights of heaven. You are above, in heaven, but we are below on earth, removed from you and from the Lord, not so much by place as by our sins and iniquities, but we come to you and ask you: instruct us to imitate you, to walk in your paths of righteousness, to enlighten and guide by us ourselves. Your entire holy life has been a reflection and example of virtues. Do not cease, saint of God, to pray to the Lord for us. Ask and intercede for us from our God, full of mercy, peace of His Church, under the sign of the cross living and fighting against the spirits of wickedness in high places, agreement in faith and like-mindedness, destruction of superstition and schisms, help in good deeds, recovery for the sick, consolation for the sad, intercession for the offended , salvation for those in trouble. Do not forget us who come to you in faith. All Orthodox Christians, delighted by your miracles and seeing your mercies, honor you as their patron and intercessor. Show your kindness, with which you have encouraged the fathers since ancient times, and do not turn away from their children, who follow their path to you and to the Lord. Standing before your holy icon, praying to you as if alive, we ask: accept our prayers and offer them on the altar of God’s grace, so that through your prayers we may receive His timely help in our needs. Deliver us from cowardice and strengthen us in faith, so that without doubt we believe in the mercy of the Lord God and His good providence for us through your prayers.

Oh, great and glorious saint of God! Help all of us who come to you with faith with your prayers to the Lord, and guide us all in life, so that in peace and repentance we end our earthly journey and move with the hope of God’s mercy to the villages of the righteous, where you yourself will joyfully after your labors and You are now abiding by your deeds, glorifying with all the saints the Lord in the Most Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

Another prayer to the Holy Venerable Roman the Sweet Singer

Oh, righteous and holy, reverend father and our blessed Abba Roman, do not forget about your servants, but remember us in your holy prayers to God. Pray for your flock, do not forget and visit your children with your mercy. Pray for us, Father Roman, as for your spiritual children, having the audacity to speak with the Heavenly King, do not stop praying for us to Him, and do not turn away from us, who honor you with faith and love. Remember us, unworthy servants of God, at the Throne of the Almighty Creator, and do not cease to pray for us to Christ God - after all, He has given you the grace to ask for sinful people. We know that you are not dead, although your body has left us, but after death you will remain alive in soul. Do not give up on us in spirit, save us from the arrows of demonic temptations and the wiles of the devil, O good shepherd and protector. Although the relics of your cancer are on earth and are always visible to people, your holy soul with the angelic powers and the faces of the fruitless winged warriors at the Throne of God, rejoices in heavenly joy. So, knowing that you will live even after death, we ask and pray to you: intercede for us before the Almighty God, ask for the benefit of our souls, ask us for time to repent, so that we can calmly move from earth to heaven, freed from difficult ordeals and terrible, from the attacks of air demons and from eternal torment, they became inhabitants of the Heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous, who in all ages pleased our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom glory, honor and worship are eternally due, with His Infinite and Beginning Father, with His Good and Life-Giving One By the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Through the prayers of St. Roman the Sweet Singer, may the Lord protect you!