Life of a Saint
Prince Alexander began to rule in Novgorod at a young age. This well-maintained ancient principality attracted the attention of foreigners. The Germans and Swedes sought to conquer the city and acquire local wealth. Therefore, Alexander had to defend the local lands. The young prince built defensive fortifications for the city and took care of its inhabitants.
The prince received the nickname “Nevsky” after the battle on the Izhora River in July 1240. Then the Swedes tried to capture Ladoga. At the same time, Rus' resisted the Mongol invasion. Alexander managed to come to an agreement with the conquerors and protect the northern lands from invasion. This successful diplomatic decision helped the residents of Novgorod defeat the Teutons in the Battle of the Ice in April 1242.
After success in Novgorod, Alexander became Grand Duke. He ruled the Russian lands for a long time and wisely. He died while fulfilling the duty of a ruler. Prince Alexander was returning from the Horde, fell ill and presented himself in November 1263. Before his death, he took monastic vows with the name Alexey. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1647. Now his relics are kept in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, in St. Petersburg.
The meaning and purpose of the troparion of Alexander Nevsky
The troparion and kontakion are read on the days of remembrance of the saint, only 5 times a year:
- On the third week after Pentecost, together with the Council of Novgorod Saints.
- May 23, the day of the Council of Rostov-Yaroslavl Saints.
- June 23, together with the Cathedral of Vladimir Saints.
- August 30 is the day of the transfer of the saint’s relics.
- December 6 – the day of death (1263).
In prayer chants in honor of the saint - troparions - the inhabitants of the Russian land praise him, speaking of his unsurpassed merits in preserving the Russian land and Russian statehood. At the same time, they ask not to abandon their patronage to the Motherland in the most difficult moments of its existence.
After all, the son of Yaroslav and the grandson of Vsevolod became a miracle worker during his lifetime, otherwise it is impossible to explain where so much strategic talent, military wisdom, diplomatic cunning and the ability to calculate his actions several steps ahead came from in a very young man, almost a youth. It was thanks to this gift that he was able to build relationships with the enemies of the Russian land not only from a position of strength, which he used on the western borders, but also from a position of cunning and diplomacy, which he used on the eastern outskirts of the Motherland.
It is these qualities that are sung in this short prayer, accompanied by a request to pray before the Lord for us today.
What do they ask the saint for?
Alexander Nevsky helps Orthodox Christians in many troubles and needs. They pray to the blessed prince for health, for the rulers of the state, for the soldiers. Turning to this saint gives strength and courage to those praying.
Alexander Nevsky helps fight any difficulties and illnesses. The healings of patients who made a pilgrimage to the relics of this saint are known. One of the first such cases is described in Russian medieval sources. The Moscow priest Afanasy, who visited the saint’s burial place, turned to him with prayer and received healing of his sore hand.
Prince Alexander provides special protection to people bearing his name. Therefore, these people should definitely turn to their heavenly intercessor. The saint will definitely help.
The life feat of the prince: the feat of faith and prayer
Alexander's contemporaries testified to his deep faith. Once the prince almost lost his life when he refused to bow to the Horde gods. However, even the pagans were surprised at this and spared his life.
The prince began any of his business with prayer, which always had an encouraging and calming effect on his warriors.
The prince also died in a Christian manner. Upon returning from the Horde, he felt unwell. Before his death, he adopted the schema under the name of Alexei. His death was mourned by the entire Russian land. After all, in the person of the prince, she lost her protector. But later it turned out that the Russian people had found a new heavenly prayer book.
Alexander Nevsky managed to accomplish a lot in his life; prayer to this prince still helps suffering people.
Texts of prayers
The Holy Fathers claim that it is very useful to pray. After all, by turning the heart to God, a person gains strength and is filled with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, you can pray at any time. Even while on the road or doing ordinary household routine, a person can turn to his heavenly intercessors.
But, of course, prayer in front of icons, with a lit candle or lamp will help you concentrate and tune in to the right mood. You can sign yourself with the sign of the cross, bow to the ground and bow from the waist. You need to pray to the east.
In the rite of the Russian Orthodox Church there are several important prayers to the holy noble prince Alexander Nevsky. To honor the patron on memorable dates, a canon or akathist is read. If a person does not have the strength for such service, one can limit oneself to singing the troparion and kontakion.
A short prayer to the saint for health can be read every day to strengthen the spirit and body. The same prayer can accompany special personal requests to the heavenly patron. Ask him for help or thank him.
A lengthy prayer to be read in front of the relics or image of St. Alexander should be read on a pilgrimage or in front of an icon. This prayer immerses a person in a spiritual state and strengthens the spirit of a Christian.
Troparion and Kontakion
Troparion, Tone 4
As you were at the root of a pious and most honorable branch, blessed Alexandra, for Christ manifests you as a kind of Divine treasure of the Russian land, a new miracle worker, glorious and God-pleasing. And today, having come together in your memory with faith and love, in psalms and singing we joyfully glorify the Lord, who gave you the grace of healing. Pray to him to save this city, and for our country to be pleasing to God, and for our sons of Russia to be saved.
Kontakion, Tone 8
As we honor your bright star, which shone from the east and came to the west, enriching this entire country with miracles and kindness, and enlightening with faith those who honor your memory, blessed Alexandra. For this reason, today we celebrate your dormition, your existing people, pray to save your Fatherland, and all your relics flowing to the race, and truly crying out to you: Rejoice, strengthening of our city.
Prayer for health
Oh, holy and faithful Prince Alexandra! Look mercifully upon us, unworthy servants of God (names), and grant us a quiet and serene life, and a steady march towards the eternal Kingdom through your intercession, arrange for us, may the Lord God preserve us I wish you grace in peace, health, long life and all prosperity in the coming years May we ever glorify and bless God in the Trinity of Saints, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Prayer before the icon
Quick helper to all those who diligently come running to you and our warm representative before the Lord, holy and faithful Prince Alexandra! Look mercifully upon us, unworthy, who have created many iniquities that are unnecessary for ourselves, to the race of your relics (or: your icon) now flowing and from the depths of the heart calling to you: you are in In your life you were a zealot and defender of the Orthodox faith, and we are warm in it strengthen us unshakably with your prayers. You carefully carried out the great service entrusted to you, and with your help, guide us to remain in it every time you were called to eat. Having defeated the regiments of adversaries, you drove them away from the Russian borders, and brought down all visible and invisible enemies against us. You, having abandoned the corruptible crown of the earthly kingdom, chose a silent life, and now you are righteously crowned with an imperishable crown, reigning in Heaven, intercede for us too, we humbly pray to you, A quiet and serene life and a steady march towards the Eternal Kingdom through your intercession arrange for us. Standing with all the saints before the Throne of God, praying for all Orthodox Christians, may the Lord God preserve them with His grace in peace, health, long life and all prosperity in the coming years, and We greatly glorify and bless God, in the Trinity of Saints we glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Orthodox prayers to the blessed prince Alexander Nevsky
Prayers to Alexander Nevsky have special power. Near the river with the relics of the Saint, magical healings occur. Legend has it that Tsar John Vasilyevich himself, before going to Kazan, asked for a blessing from the relics of Alexander Nevsky in Vladimir.
Prayers to Alexander Nevsky, said on certain days, are especially effective. This is the day of the prince’s death on December 6 and the day of the transfer of his relics to St. Petersburg on September 12. In Orthodox chronicles one can find many descriptions of miraculous stories that the Saint always helped those who sincerely asked him for help.
What do they ask for and how do they pray to the Saint?
Believers turn to the Saint with various requests. At all times, people prayed in front of the icon of Alexander Nevsky for the protection of their Fatherland from enemy invasion. In addition, the Saint is asked that the rulers and rulers of the world be of good character and show concern for people.
Orthodox prayer to Alexander Nevsky always helps in military affairs. Believers pray before the icon of the Saint to gain wisdom in order to achieve their goal. During prayer, a person’s soul is filled with courage and courage, which allows him to overcome life’s adversities. Alexander Nevsky is considered the patron saint of warriors, so he reliably protects those who wear his icon under their hearts and turn to him with a prayer for support.
Mothers pray to Saint Alexander Nevsky for their sons who have gone to military service. Believers also turn to him for help in strengthening their faith.
Text of the original prayer in Russian
In the original, the Orthodox prayer to Alexander Nevsky reads as follows:
Prayer for wealth
Prayer for wealth is considered very popular. With its help you can stabilize your own financial situation.
The prayer needs to be said for the money in the wallet, and it sounds like this:
“Oh, holy, faithful and reliable protector Prince Alexander! Hear the requests of the sinful and unworthy Servant of God (Servant of God) (proper name). Ask for me before God for my calm and serene life, so that it is filled with health and prosperity. I believe in your strong representation and the mercy of the Almighty Lord. May he grant me grace in earthly life and long life, may he show me the way to the Kingdom of Heaven, to which I will strive, remembering the need for prayer and glorifying the Almighty tirelessly and sincerely. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.”
Prayer from enemies
The following Orthodox prayer from enemies is very powerful:
“Quick and reliable helper to all believers who come running to you with all their souls, our sincere petitioner before the Lord, holy and faithful Grand Duke, Alexander! Hear us unworthy, treat our requests with mercy and understanding, we have committed many indecent iniquities for ourselves, we have now come to your relics (or to your icon) and from the depths of our hearts we cry to you. During your lifetime you were a zealous defender of the Orthodox faith, so help us in our faith to be strengthened by your prayers to God. You are great, help us gain strength in life and guide us on the righteous path pleasing to God. You, during your lifetime, defeated the enemy regiments, drove them away from the Russian borders, and destroy all our visible and invisible enemies. You, having left the crown of the kingdom, preferred a silent life, and now righteously crowned with an incorruptible crown, you reign in heaven, intercede for us too, we humbly pray to you, we ask you through your representation to arrange for us a quiet and serene life. We also pray for your help in directing us to the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. Standing together with all the saints near the throne of God, pray for all of us, Orthodox Christians, that the Lord God will preserve us all in peace, health, long life and all prosperity for many years to come. We glorify and bless God, in the Holy Trinity, glorified Father and Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen".
Author of the article:
Natalya Nadezhdina
Icon of Alexander Nevsky: description
On the icon we often see the noble prince with a sword. Sometimes there is a picture where he holds a cross and a scroll. But basically in all images the warrior is depicted in grand ducal clothes, sometimes in armor. There are many illustrations where, as befits a commander, he is depicted on horseback. This style of writing exists relatively recently - it was introduced by Peter I. Before this, the noble prince, according to tradition, was depicted in monastic clothes, since before his death he took the schema with the name Alexy.
Information about his appearance that has reached us describes him as a broad-shouldered young man with powerful arms, a handsome face, strong-willed eyebrows and a decisive look throughout his appearance.
Alexander Nevsky: what does an icon help with?
Orthodox Christians pray in front of the icon for the acquisition of courage and wisdom, courage and valor, for self-sacrifice for the sake of a higher goal. Alexander Nevsky is the patron saint of all soldiers who wear his icon under their hearts, so that the holy commander protects the person with his prayers.
They did not forget about those exploits during the Second World War - the aviation squadron was named with a glorious name with the inscription “Alexander Nevsky” on board. There is a Soviet and Russian military order for special merits, bearing the name of the saint.
The enormous popularity of the blessed prince goes beyond the borders of the current Russian state: the Orthodox peoples of Serbia, Greece, and Georgia pray to him for the preservation of their borders and build churches in his honor. This gives hope for strengthening relations and increasing cooperation among Orthodox people around the world.
