Icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh - meaning, what helps, prayer

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The icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh is considered to be one of the main shrines in Orthodoxy. Even during his earthly life, this saint was a true Christian who led a humble lifestyle. He was hardworking, loyal and merciful. It was thanks to this that he earned the respect of the church and people's love.

Even at a young age, he decided to retire to the forest, where, in a monastery that he built himself, he continuously prayed to God for the Russian people and the good of the state. More than once he was offered to join the Russian metropolitanate, but he despised political and administrative work. With his daily prayers, he performed a large number of godly deeds.

The icon of Sergius of Radonezh in what it helps and what they pray for

What does it help with?

They turn to this face not only for themselves, but also for loved ones, friends, and enemies.
Prayers to Sergius of Radonezh for healing will help you get rid of many physical and mental ailments. After all, this divine image is considered to be miraculous. In what situations can this image help you:

The saint is asked for help in resolving problems related to studies.
In addition, prayers to Sergius of Radonezh make it possible to most easily and harmoniously deal with various legal cases, but exclusively righteous ones. The Holy Elder protects from the attacks of offenders and gives enough strength to defend one’s rights.
With the help of prayer requests, it is possible to pacify your violent temper and eliminate such a negative human vice as pride.
You can also ask St. Sergius of Radonezh to heal you or your family and friends from any pathologies.
Appeals to the image of the righteous protect against various difficulties and facilitate the process of getting out of difficult life situations.
It is considered popular to turn to an image in order to improve your work affairs and get what you want.
Another purpose of prayers to Sergius of Radonezh is to receive the necessary support, protection and find peace of mind.

Of course, it is permissible to read prayers at the image not only for yourself personally, but also for your close circle - relatives, friends and even enemies.

This Saint is also addressed on the eve of important court cases and during litigation. He serves as the protector of honest life and the righteous. Helps everyone who is pure and sincere in deeds and thoughts and fights for the truth against lies in court.

Prayer to this divine face will help protect you from life's problems. Children will be protected from academic failures and bad influences. For adults, prayer about work will help achieve the desired results in this field.

It is necessary to always remember that when turning to the icon of this or that saint with prayer, the thought must be directed to God, since the petition for you will come from the Saint, and the fulfillment of the petition will come from the Lord God.

Our prayers are aimed at finding support, protection, and peace of mind. The most important thing in any prayer is sincere faith and prayer that comes from your heart.

Prayers

O sacred head, Reverend and God-bearing Father Sergius, by your prayer, and faith, and love, even for God, and the purity of your heart, you have established your soul on earth in the monastery of the Most Holy Trinity, and been granted angelic communion and the visitation of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the gift received miraculous grace, after your departure from earthly people, you came closer to God, and partook of the Heavenly Powers, but also did not retreat from us with the spirit of your love and your honest power, like a vessel of grace full and overflowing, left to us!

Having great boldness towards the All-Merciful Master, pray to save His servants, His grace existing in you, believing and flowing to you with love. Ask us from our great God for every gift that is beneficial to everyone, observance of the immaculate faith, strengthening of our cities, peace, and deliverance from famine and destruction, preservation from the invasion of foreigners, consolation for the afflicted, healing for the sick, restoration for the fallen, and for those who are led astray on the path of truth. and return of salvation, strengthening for those who strive, prosperity and blessing for those who do good in good deeds, education for infants, instruction for the young, admonition for the ignorant, intercession for orphans and widows, departing from this temporary life for the eternal, good preparation and guidance, for those who have departed, blessed repose, and all of us who help you through your prayers, on the day of the Last Judgment, the last part will be delivered, and the right hand of the country will be partakers and hear the blessed voice of the Lord Christ: come, blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Amen.

Many students turn to this saint for success in exams. And this is how you should read the prayer for successfully passing the exam before the image:

“O venerable and God-bearing Father Sergei! Look upon us mercifully, and lead us to the heights of heaven, those who are devoted to the earth. Strengthen our cowardice and confirm us in faith, so that we undoubtedly hope to receive all the good things from the mercy of the Lord God through your prayers.

By your intercession, ask for the gift of understanding science and grant all of us, through your prayers (with the help of your prayers), to be delivered on the day of the Last Judgment, and the right lands of the land will be commoners of being and the blessed voice of the Lord Christ to hear: “Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world."

In the rank of abbot

In 1354, with the blessing of Bishop Athanasius of Volyn, St. Sergius officially headed the monastery he founded and was elevated to the rank of abbot. From that time on, the number of monks began to increase rapidly, as good rumors about him spread throughout the entire region. As before, people came here to hear the word of God and receive clarification on all religious issues.

Teaching people the fundamentals of the true faith, the illustrious abbot proved himself to be an unsurpassed teacher. That is why, listing everything that they pray to St. Sergius of Radonezh, spiritual shepherds strongly recommend resorting to his help in studying, or, as stated in the above prayer, asking for “the gift of understanding science.” We have already mentioned this, although in connection with a different period of the saint’s life.

Life of the Reverend

The summary of the life of Alexy, the man of God, is that all his life he showed sincere love in the Lord and tried to instill it in others. He was born in the 4th century in Rome into a very rich and famous family. His father always showed a penchant for charity. They often hosted dinners at the house for those who needed help. For a long time, the couple had no descendants, but they did not stop raising their petitions to God, for which they were rewarded with the birth of a boy. He was noted as a strong and intelligent descendant.

When he became an adult, he needed to start a family. His parents chose a bride for him. But after the feast, he handed her the belt buckle and the gold ring and left. He sailed by sea to Syrian Laodicea. From there he reached Edessa, where the image of the Lord on the shroud was kept. He gave away all his property and ate bread and water. Spent a long time in communication with God. Just like turning to God, prayer to Saint Alexy, the man of God, is capable of working miracles. People often resort to this in the most difficult life situations.

The father and mother grieved over the disappearance of their son and launched a search. For a long time they counted on his return, but then they came to terms with the loss. After 17 years as a beggar near the Church of the Virgin Mary, he had to leave this place. This happened because one clergyman saw the Mother of God in a dream, saying that he was a man of God.

He had plans to go to Tarsus, but the ship was caught in a storm and then landed on the coast of Rome. Deciding that this was some kind of test of the Lord, he arrived at his father’s house. They didn’t recognize him there and offered to settle. The servants were jealous of him and plotted all sorts of intrigues. The saint was not angry with them, but humbly accepted it all.

One day during the service, the voice of God told them to look for the messenger of the Lord in the house of Euthymian. But when they came to Alexy, he died. There was a scroll in his hands. After reading everyone understood who he really was. Memorial Day for Alexy, the man of God, falls on March 30th. The relics were found in 1216. The story about his life is the most beloved in Russia.

Briefly about the Reverend

His life path is unusual even at the beginning. Coming from a boyar family, Bartholomew—this is the saint’s secular name—showed his future holiness not just from childhood, but long before birth. Tradition has preserved the story of how his mother, Mary, while still pregnant, heard the cry of her baby during a church service - against all laws of nature. The people standing around who witnessed this unusual miracle also became confused. When the boy was born, the first to notice that this child was unusual were his parents:

compiler of the life of the monk, St. Epiphanius says that even as a baby Bartholomew did not taste his mother’s milk at all on Wednesdays and Fridays;

he refused food even when Maria ate meat, even when it was permitted by the Charter. So the mother had to give up eating meat altogether.

Even then, the parents understood: perhaps a monastic path was prepared for their son. The life of the saint testifies: Bartholomew himself understood and desired this. From his youth he had one desire - to become a monk of some monastery. The young man never had a desire to start a family; all his thoughts were about God, whom he loved with all his soul.

The path to monasticism

Bartholomew’s dreams did not come true immediately: pious parents, although they approved of his intention, saw God’s election, were afraid of being left without support in old age, and therefore did not let their son go for a long time. Only when, at the end of their lives, Cyril and Maria took monastic vows, Bartholomew was freed from worldly bonds. However, his life says that he did not go to the monastery. An ardent desire for asceticism drew him to forest solitude, even without taking monastic orders, an amazing, and perhaps almost unprecedented, thing. The elder brother, Stefan, left with Bartholomew, however, he could not stand this way of life for long, retiring to the Moscow Epiphany Monastery.

Bartholomew was left alone - but at the same time not alone, covered by God's providence. It was no coincidence that Abbot Mitrofan found him in the middle of the forest, from whose hands the young man was tonsured with the name Sergius. He was only 22 years old.

Abbot

M. N. Nesterov, “Works of St. Sergius” (1896–1897)

Monk Sergius was going to spend his days in desert solitude. He was not frightened by external sorrows - cold, hunger, or demonic attacks, of which, as the “Life” of the saint says, there were plenty. But a little time passed, and the brethren began to gather to him, having somehow learned about the ascetic. Moreover, they wanted, neither more nor less, to labor under the leadership of him, a very young monk.

Sergius was extremely embarrassed: “My brothers, I never even had a thought about being an abbess, my soul desires only one thing - to end my days as a simple monk. Don’t force me.”

But he was forced. Almost against his will, they took him to the bishop in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, and the then Bishop Afanasy, without doubt, ordained the monk a priest, making him rector of the brethren. This is how the monastery of the Holy Trinity arose, now the well-known monastery called the Trinity-Sergius.

Description of the icon

The saint's life path took place in the 14th century; he lived to a ripe old age. Although he did not leave any works, a lot has been written about him. The monk achieved great respect during his lifetime, so it is not surprising that his first icons appeared almost immediately after his death - at the beginning of the 15th century. The icons of Sergius of Radonezh are easy to recognize not only by their description, but also by the inscriptions that are made at shoulder level - the name of the saint is indicated there in Church Slavonic letters.

The elder has a long beard, sometimes wedge-shaped, a mustache, thick hair, but not very long, combed back. The gaze is direct, attentive and stern; in some images the eyes look to the side. In addition to this “portrait” image, there are many others.

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There is one such icon in the A. Rublev Museum. The first mark represents birth, then learning to read and write, becoming a monk. Next are images of many lifetime miracles performed by the saint. The cycle ends with a burial, at which an Angel is present holding an open prayer book.

The meaning of the icon of Sergius of Radonezh with his life is edifying. Each story not only has a historical basis, but also calls on believers to open their hearts to learn the proper lesson. In everything the monk was a role model

Not only miracles occupy an important place in his life. He managed to become the person who helped the Russian people rediscover the gift of faith in Christ and believe in their high destiny

Looking at the image of the monk, reflecting on his life, everyone involuntarily conducts a mental audit of their own actions. How much one man managed to do for the Lord - how many monasteries he founded, how many people he healed and guided on the right path. What needs to be changed in your own life so that you are not ashamed to turn to this saint for help?

For your home, you can choose any icon that will better help you gather your thoughts before prayer - after all, this is exactly what holy faces are needed in the house

It is important to place the image in the appropriate place: not among the trash on the shelves in the closet, but on a separate shelf or on the wall

Sergius of Radonezh. Childhood

According to ancient legend, the estate of the parents of Sergius of Radonezh, the Rostov boyars Cyril and Maria, was located in the vicinity of Rostov the Great, on the road to Yaroslavl. The parents, “noble boyars,” apparently lived simply; they were quiet, calm people, with a strong and serious way of life.

St. Kirill and Maria. Painting of the Ascension Church on Grodka (Pavlov Posad) Parents of Sergius of Radonezh

Although Cyril more than once accompanied the princes of Rostov to the Horde, as a trusted, close person, he himself did not live richly. One cannot even talk about any luxury or licentiousness of the later landowner. Rather, on the contrary, one might think that home life is closer to that of a peasant: as a boy, Sergius (and then Bartholomew) was sent to fetch horses in the field. This means that he knew how to confuse them and turn them around. And leading him to some stump, grabbing him by the bangs, jumping up and trotting home in triumph. Perhaps he chased them at night too. And, of course, he was not a barchuk.

One can imagine parents as respectable and fair people, religious to a high degree. They helped the poor and willingly welcomed strangers.

On May 3, Maria had a son. The priest gave him the name Bartholomew, after the feast day of this saint. The special shade that distinguishes it lies on the child from early childhood.

At the age of seven, Bartholomew was sent to study literacy in a church school together with his brother Stefan. Stefan studied well. Bartholomew was not good at science. Like Sergius later, little Bartholomew is very stubborn and tries, but there is no success. He's upset. The teacher sometimes punishes him. Comrades laugh and parents reassure. Bartholomew cries alone, but does not move forward.

And here is a village picture, so close and so understandable six hundred years later! The foals wandered somewhere and disappeared. His father sent Bartholomew to look for them; the boy had probably wandered like this more than once, through the fields, in the forest, perhaps near the shores of Lake Rostov, and called to them, patted them with a whip, and dragged their halters. With all Bartholomew’s love for solitude, nature and with all his dreaminess, he, of course, carried out every task most conscientiously - this trait marked his entire life.

Testimony of St. Epiphanius

Before starting a conversation about how Sergius of Radonezh helps everyone who comes to him with prayer and hope, let us briefly dwell on the circumstances of the earthly life of this greatest saint of the Russian Orthodox Church. The main and most authoritative source of information on this issue is the life compiled shortly after the death of the saint by his closest disciple Epiphanius the Wise, who also received the crown of holiness after his death.

The Monk Epiphanius tells that on May 3, 1314, God gave the pious spouses Cyril and Mary a son, who was named Hartholomew in holy baptism. They lived in the Village of Varnitsa near Rostov and belonged to the number of noble and respected boyars. It was their child who the Lord predicted to become the “spiritual collector” of the Russian people, embodying the ideal of Holy Rus'.

The role of the saint in history

The monk is famous because he had the courage to become an exponent of the people's idea of patriotism. In monasticism, he said a new word - he founded a monastery with cenobitic statutes. This was his ideal for the laity: to organize social order so that believers would become unanimous in their faith and goals.

At that time, Russia was tormented by civil strife, so it was very important that a monastery appeared where something completely different was valued. Ideals of humility, benevolence, simplicity, love for your neighbors

The relics of Serius of Radonezh continue to remind of this.

You should pray with diligence. It’s not scary if a believer feels tired, has pain in his legs, or has a headache. This is normal, because even saints got tired while praying. You need to give yourself time to get used to it and not worry in vain. Weakness is human. You can read the texts while sitting, if your legs hurt or the person is bedridden by illness, there is no sin in that

A short prayer should not be embarrassing - it is not the number of words spoken that is important, but the mood

What was his character and appearance during his life?

Once, when the monk was already famous far beyond the boundaries of his humble monastery, a villager came to look at the great saint of God. The abbot was then working in the monastery garden, where the visitor found him: he saw a monk in a dirty cassock, with a shovel. Indignant, he, expecting to see the handsome old man, grumbled at the monks, thinking that they were making a joke on him. Only the monk himself stopped the brethren, who wanted to expel the “pilgrim” from the monastery, and promised him:

“Don’t worry, friend, you will soon see the one you wanted to see.”

Following this, the prince arrived at the monastery. First, with amazement, and then with fear, the villager watched as the sovereign fell at the feet of that same ragged monk, as he asked for his blessing. Now he really saw the saint. After the prince left, the peasant threw himself at the feet of the abbot, crying, begging for forgiveness. And instead of denunciations I heard comforting words:

“Child, do not grieve, for you alone thought correctly about me, saying that I am a simple person, yet others are mistaken, believing that I am great!”

And this humility turned the man’s life so upside down that he was no longer able to live his former life: after a short time he returned to the monk - to remain here forever as a monk. This humility, kindness, pity for people, which did not allow one to condemn even an obvious enemy, was the whole essence of the character, the whole life of the saint. Sergius. Having become like Christ Himself in love, he performed great miracles in His Name:

brought out a source of water from the earth; the brethren called him “Sergius,” but, having learned about this, the monk strictly forbade it, because the miracle was created by the power of God;
once resurrected a dead youth; afterwards, as was his custom, he said that the inconsolable father only “felt” that his son had died, but he simply fell asleep;
finally, the unclean spirits that came screaming out from the possessed could not stand the presence of the saint at all.

The purity of the saint’s life attracted great grace to him:

there is evidence of Angels concelebrating with him during the liturgy;
one day St. Sergius was visited by the Mother of God herself, who promised mercy to his monastery and to all spiritual children.

But until the end of his earthly life, the monk remained modest, did not wear not only expensive, but even new clothes, and fasted strictly. This is how his contemporaries, spiritual children, and numerous students remembered him.

About the early veneration of St. Sergius

The veneration of St. Sergius, which began almost immediately after his death, continued unchanged throughout all seven centuries. Of course, it had some peaks and some valleys.

The hagiographic tradition associated with St. Sergius developed quite early. The earliest life of the saint - written by Epiphanius the Wise - has not reached us in its entirety; its first part has survived only as part of a lengthy edition of the early 16th century. But another work of this illustrious author has survived - his “Eulogy” to St. Sergius.

Elena Yukhimenko

From Epiphanius himself, the Stichirarion has come down to us, a liturgical manuscript, apparently written by him for some of his own needs, the needs of the monastery of which he was a monk. This monument, dated 1380, is contemporary with Sergius himself. The manuscript has an elm inscription: “Wrote by the many-sinful Epiphanes.” And most researchers traditionally associate this book with the activities of Epiphanius the Wise. True, a new point of view has now emerged, dating this manuscript to a later time - the beginning of the 15th century.

In addition to the life of Epiphanius, evidence of the early veneration of St. Sergius was the new edition of his life created almost immediately after the first, and in several versions. This is an edition of another outstanding writer of Ancient Rus' - Pachomius the Serb.

Prayer to Sergius of Radonezh for success in business

Higher powers always help those who believe in them in business. If a person leads a righteous lifestyle, all requests will be heard. You should analyze whether what you want will cause harm to someone. When requests violate God's commandments, Higher powers will not help.

Relics of Sergius of Radonezh in Moscow

There is no point in retelling the life of the abbot of the Russian land - it is already well known. Everyone also knows that his relics rest in the monastery he created - the Holy Trinity Lavra of Sergius in Sergiev Posad, near Moscow. If you want to venerate your favorite saint, but you can’t leave Moscow in the middle of the week, don’t be upset. In several Moscow churches there are particles of the relics of St. Sergius.

Reliquary with the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the Trinity Cathedral of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra

At the courtyard of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, in the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity (2nd Troitsky lane 6a - from the Tsvetnoy Boulevard metro station on foot) there is an icon of the saint with a particle of his relics. The metochion is actually a small monastery, and services here are performed according to the monastic rules.

Metochion of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra in Moscow

In the Church of St. Nicholas in Klenniki (metro station "Kitai-Gorod"), where the holy righteous Alexy (Mechev) served, there is also an icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh with a particle of relics.

Church of St. Nicholas in Klenniki on Maroseyka

It seems symbolic that a particle of the relics of the Wonderworker of Radonezh is in the temple, which during the troubled revolutionary years was a real light to the world - it was here that Saint Alexy (Mechev) created his famous community. Let us recall that at the beginning of the century another similar “lamp” was created in Moscow - the Martha and Mary Convent, and its founder - Grand Duchess Elisaveta Feodorovna - is remembered by the Church on the same day as St. Sergius, the heavenly patron of her husband, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, killed by a terrorist.

Temple of Elijah the Ordinary

In another Moscow church - the Church of Elijah the Ordinary, which has never been closed - among the numerous shrines there is also an icon of St. Sergius with a particle of relics.

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In the Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in Vinogradov in the north of Moscow (Dmitrovskoe highway, 170, travel from the Petrovsko-Razumovskaya or Altufyevo metro stations), in addition to containing particles of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, one of the three chapels was consecrated in his honor.

In the same North-Eastern district of Moscow (Trinity Deanery) on Kostromskaya Street (house 7 - Bibirevo district) there is a temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The history of its creation is interesting in itself.

In the summer of 1873, a cholera epidemic raged in the village of Bibirevo. Throughout the village, the monks carried the miraculous icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh with prayer. On July 13, the image escaped from his hands and flew through the air. After this, the epidemic subsided. The residents of Bibirevo began to regard July 13 as a holiday; on this day prayers were held for the saint - and soon it was decided to build a temple in memory of the miraculous event. In 1893, the new church was consecrated. There is the revered icon of St. Sergius.

Temple of St. Sergius in Bibirevo

Another miracle associated with the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh occurred several years ago in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Arkhangelsk-Tyurikov (Dmitrovskoe highway, 120, building 1, travel: from the Altufyevo metro station). In 1995, a dark board found in the forest was brought to the church. According to the donors, a strange glow emanates from the icon at night, frightening them.

Appearance of the Mother of God to St. Sergius of Radonezh. Miraculous image in the Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Arkhangelsk-Tyurikov

In the church, the glow from the icon was also sometimes observed, but it was not frightening, but, on the contrary, light and quiet, and in it one could discern the image of the Mother of God. Gradually it became possible to distinguish other figures. A year later it became completely clear: this is an icon with a rare subject: “The Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to St. Sergius of Radonezh.”

Half-length, full-length, hagiographic images

Iconography: Sergius of Radonezh, Venerable Dates: XVII century. Second half of the 17th century. Origin: From the Deesis rite of the iconostasis of the church in the name of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian of the Trinity-Annunciation Sinozersk men's hermitage of the Ustyuzhensky district of the Novgorod province (now the Chagodoschensky district of the Vologda region). Pustyn was founded in 1600 by Rev. Efrosyn of Sinozersky (†1612). Material: Wood, tempera. Dimensions of the icon: height 93 cm, width 35 cm.

The first icons of the saint depict him in full height, later images of the saint appear from the waist up. Over the years, life-size icons underwent the greatest changes, apparently giving greater scope for understanding the spiritual meaning of the saint. His image on such icons was often supplemented, and his symbolic meaning deepened:

many life-size icons of the saint date back to the 15th century. they imagine his figure as stretched upward, in contrast to the grave veil to which they ascend; the elongated proportions symbolize the saint’s desire for the Kingdom of Heaven, to which he dedicated his life;
the monk's mantle often occupies quite a large space on the icon; she is a symbol of his protection over Russia; this is especially clearly represented in the later image of the 17th century. Yaroslavl icon painting school: the background of the icon is images of events in the history of the country in the 15th-17th centuries, they are also presented on the stamps of the image.

Famous icons of the XV-XVI centuries. gave rise to the “hagiographic” images of St. Sergius. In the first years after the church glorification of the ascetic, icon painters were focused on his feat, monastic path, and prayerful works.

Interesting fact

It is important for the icon painter to show the saint’s holiness even in detail. For example, on the Trinity Life Icon the saint is represented before and after Communion. The color of his shoes is symbolic here - brown before the Sacrament, after - red, symbolizing the Kingdom of Heaven.

Over the years, with the increase in cases of help and intercession of the “abbot of the Russian land,” icon painters devote more and more attention to his posthumous miracles.

Icon of St. Sergius with hagiographic stamps.

And among lifetime actions, actions related to protecting the country from enemies and spiritual assistance to soldiers stand out. This is how stamps appear on different icons:

with the plot of the blessing of Prince Dimitry Donskoy for the Battle of Kulikovo;
showing the appearances of the saint during the Kazan War of Tsar Ivan the Terrible;
depicting the miracle of saving the monastery from the Polish invaders of the early 17th century, as well as many others.

Over time, some stamp subjects become icons in their own right.

Icon of Sergius of Radonezh Battle of Kulikovo

Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, with his life, with historical scenes and the history of the Battle of Kulikovo, XVII century.

It is believed that the plot appeared at the end of the 17th century, when the 300th anniversary of the “Mamaev Massacre” was celebrated. Thus, the already mentioned icon of the Yaroslavl school was “overlaid” with two boards with marks depicting the events before the battle, the battle itself, and the victory of the Orthodox army.

Subsequently, the image “Blessing of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Grand Duke Dmitry Ioannovich on the eve of the Battle of Kulikovo." Modern art historians point to the symbolic meaning of this icon - the helmet of the prince lying on the ground and the kokol on the head of the saint, the cross with which Sergius blesses the army, and the lowered sword of the lord. Dimitri. All this symbolizes that the Kulikovo victory was won not so much by military force as by spiritual force.

"The Miracle of the Birds"

Another hagiographic story that has acquired independent meaning is the vision of the saint during prayer for his disciples of many birds, which symbolized the many future monks of his monastery and the abundance of grace. On the icon, the monk is represented, as his “Life” narrates, emerging from his cell, surrounded by many white birds, the color of whose plumage is a symbol of the spiritual purity of the monks.

Appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Finally, one of the first hagiographical subjects, which became an independent account of the saint’s icons, is the event of the appearance of the Most Pure Mother of God to him.

Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos, St. Sergius of Radonezh

It is believed that the first such icons came from the Sergius Monastery itself. They usually feature:

The Most Pure One with the Apostles; She graciously turns to the monk and blesses him;
the saint himself, kneeling;
Behind the monk is his disciple, St. Micah, who covered his face with a doll out of fear;
in the upper part of the icon there is an image of the Holy Trinity in the form of three Angels, who once appeared to the forefather Abraham; Usually this image is painted on the model of the famous icon of St. Andrey Rublev.

On some icons created by the Trinity monks, instead of Micah, St. Nikon, apparently because the blessing of the Most Pure One concerned the fate of the monastery and the disciples of the saint, and St. Nikon subsequently accepted the abbot of the monastery from his teacher.

Unusual image

The past never ceases to amaze scientists with new secrets. In the second half of the 20th century. a rare icon of Sergius of Radonezh was uncovered, depicting the Battle of Kulikovo. Its authors were Yaroslavl masters of the 17th century. For many centuries, the composition was hidden under a layer of drying oil - previously old images were covered with it, and others were painted on top. Only in the last century were they able to make a composition that made it possible to open an older layer.

In the center, as it should be on hagiographic icons, is the image of the saint himself. On the sides there are numerous marks with fragments of the life. Below there is a longitudinal composition, very unusual for icons. It has a lot of characters and a complex plot. There are even explanatory notes. The author depicted here the famous Battle of Kulikovo. The icon asks historians a lot of questions to which there are no answers yet.

Both troops have the same banners - they depict the Savior Not Made by Hands.

The opposing armies look exactly the same.

Dmitry Donskoy's opponents descend from the mountain, then ford the river to get to the battlefield.

The army of Dmitry Donskoy is armed with cannons, which are depicted as firing.

In this regard, some scientists put forward a completely new interpretation of the famous event. The icon itself is kept in the Yaroslavl Museum, but its image can be found on the World Wide Web.

When an icon is venerated

The memory of the life of the Reverend is alive to this day. The saint is remembered by the clergy, because thanks to him many monasteries were opened in Russian lands. Father Sergius contributed to the strengthening of Orthodoxy in Rus'. The Church remembers the hieromonk twice every year. The first time was in the summer on July 18, on the day of the discovery of his relics. The holiday is dedicated to the removal of remains from a flooded grave and their transfer to a safe place in a new church. Since the 15th century, Orthodox Christians have celebrated the death of the abbot every year on October 8th. On memorial days, a festive service is held in churches in honor of St. Sergius. The clergy and believers sing the troparion to the hieromonk.

During his lifetime, Father Sergius was very wise, kind, and educated. He advocated the unification of Rus', called on the princes not to fight each other, but to unite and oppose the Tatars. Sergius blessed believers with family happiness, love and fidelity. Lonely people turn their prayers to him, he helps them find their soul mate and happiness.

An icon depicting a saint should be in every home. It helps you become more tolerant, kinder, smarter. True, to find happiness and peace of mind, you need to repent of all your sins, sincerely ask God to save your sinful soul and put you on the right path.

Overview of celebration days

The Church has designated four official days per year when the memory of His Holiness Sergei of Radonezh is honored in Orthodox churches.

The first day is the eighth of October (according to the old calendar - the twenty-fifth of September). This number was not chosen by chance and is the date of death of the saint.
The second date - the eighteenth of July (identified with the fifth of July according to the old calendar) - is also a special number for all those who adhere to Orthodoxy - it was on this day that the relics of St. Sergius were found.
The fifth of June (or the twenty-third of May) is the third date for honoring the memory of the saint by Christians. Every year on the fifth of June, according to tradition, it is customary to remember all the clergy who adhered to the righteous path in the Rostov-Yaroslavl lands. Among them is Sergius of Radonezh.
The fourth date concerning the Holy One falls on the nineteenth of July (the old calendar associates it with the sixth of July). The date is known as "Day in honor of the Radonezh Cathedral." It falls on the next day after the relics of Sergius were found.

Finding a shrine

The relics of St. Sergius were discovered 30 years after his death in 1392. Father came to a worthy layman in a dream. He ordered his message to be conveyed to the abbot and the monks. The saint complained that his body had been underground for a long time in a coffin, in water. Many people then gathered near the grave of the righteous man.

After the Bolshevik revolution, the new government launched a campaign to combat religion. Thousands of ordinary citizens flocked to the monk, so the monastery also did not go unnoticed by the atheists. In April 1919, a special commission arrived in Sergiev Posad. The opening of the tomb was filmed, the relics were removed and exhibited in a local museum. They were returned to the Church in 1946.

A legend has been preserved about how the head of the monk was preserved. With the blessing of St. Tikhon, priest Pavel Florensky and Count Olsufiev secretly stole the head of St. Sergius at night. Instead, they left the head of Prince Trubetskoy, whose remains were buried in the same cathedral. All this was kept strictly secret, but there are memories from which one can understand that the shrine was in Olsuviev’s house. Then, in 1928, she was buried in the garden.

In 1933, Pavel Florensky was arrested, the count fled to Novgorod. There he spoke about the concealment of the honest chapter to priest Pavel Golubtsov. He managed to transport the ark to the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery, located in the Moscow region. There he remained until the victory over the Nazis. Having gone through the entire war, Golubtsov returned the head to the count’s daughter. The Lavra was soon reopened, the relics were returned to the Church, then Ekaterina Olsufieva returned the stolen goods to His Holiness Patriarch Alexy.

Our information

The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius was founded in 1337 by St. Sergius of Radonezh. There is a monastery on the territory of the Lavra, and the Moscow Theological Academy is also located there.

You can get to the monastery from Moscow from the Yaroslavsky train station by train to the Sergiev Posad stop. Or by bus No. 388, which follows the route st. m. "VDNKh" - Sergiev Posad.

The Lavra is open to pilgrims and visitors from 5.00 to 21.00. Excursions are held daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter (from November 11 to April 30).

Sculptural images of St. Sergius of Radonezh

Sculpture is one of the forms of veneration of saints in Rus'. There are many sculptural images of Sergius of Radonezh. One of them is a high relief depicting Demetrius Donskoy’s visit to Sergius of Radonezh before the massacre on the Kulikovo Field, executed by the sculptor A.V. Loganovsky. This high relief decorated the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, was dismantled before the explosion of the temple and has survived to this day. A bronze copy of this high relief is installed on the restored temple.

Dmitry Donskoy's visit to Sergius of Radonezh before the campaign against the Tatars. High relief by A. V. Loganovsky, 1847-1849.

There is a known sculptural image of St. Sergius of Radonezh as part of a multi-figure composition on the monument “1000th Anniversary of Russia” in Veliky Novgorod.

At the end of the 20th and 21st centuries, monuments to St. Sergius were erected in places associated with his life: one (sculptor V. Chukharkin, architect V. Zhuravlev) is located in Sergiev Posad “near the walls of the holy monastery he founded,” the other (sculptor V. M. Klykov and architect R.I. Semerdzhiev) - in the village of Radonezh.

Sculptural image of St. Sergius in Radonezh

In addition to these monuments, sculptures of the saint were installed in Moscow, Kolomna, Rostov-on-Don, Elista, Samara, many other cities and villages of Russia, as well as in Belarus.

What canons were established in the iconography of St. Sergius, their meaning

The traditions of depicting the saint were set by his first icons, first of all, by the image of the ascetic on the first of them in time, the grave shroud.

Saint's clothing

The saint is depicted in the robes that he wore during his earthly life. This is the full monastic vestment: cassock, kokol, which all monks wore before the liturgical reforms of Patriarch Nikon. St. Simeon of Thessalonica writes about the doll:

“The kukul also descends on the front of the chest - for the sake of the strength of thought and heart, and also on the back. It is lined around with scarlet crosses in order to drive away with this royal and terrible sign the enemies attacking us in front and behind.”

It is precisely this vestment that we see on the monk, but it does not cover his head, but lies on his shoulders in the form of a lowered hood.

Over the saint's clothes is a brown mantle. The monk’s attire is modest, as during his lifetime: some of his vestments that have survived to this day are made of coarse, cheap fabric, dyed. These are his clothes on the icons.

Blessing and word of truth

The gestures of the saint on the icons are different:

this could be the right hand pressed to the chest, the area of the heart; This is precisely the image of the monk on the tombstone; it means heartfelt prayer, which the ascetic did not abandon during his earthly life, which he continually prays at the throne of God even now;
sometimes the right hand of the saint is folded in a gesture of priestly blessing;
There are also many icons where the saint’s fingers form the gesture of an orator, a preacher; in this case, with the left hand of St. Sergius holds a scroll, rolled up or unfolded, containing words from the few teachings that remained in the lives of the saint thanks to his disciples, since the abbot himself did not leave any writings. For example, the words of the saint’s dying address to the monks of the monastery are often found: “Listen to yourself, brothers, I pray to everyone, first have the fear of God, purity of soul and body...”

Construction of the monastery

Icon of Sergius of Radonezh

Soon the family moves to the city of Radonezh. The older brothers grew up and got married, and Bartholomew took a vow of virginity to God. He dreamed of becoming a monk, but his parents persuaded him to first wait until they died, then go to a monastery. The obedient son did just that. Soon the parents reposed, having accepted monasticism before their death. And Bartholomew, having distributed the inheritance to the brothers, went to the monastery.

We advise you to study the Icon of the Savior of Sinai

By that time, his brother Stefan was widowed, and both brothers went to the Khotkovsky monastery, where their parents were buried. There Stephen became a monk. Bartholomew did not yet begin to take monastic vows, but persuaded his brother to go to a deserted place for heroic deeds. He agreed, and they found a place for themselves in a deep forest and began to build a cell there. Then they cut down a small church, which Metropolitan Theognostos would later consecrate in honor of the Holy Trinity.

Stefan thought the desert life was beyond his strength, and he left, leaving his brother alone. Then Bartholomew asked Abbot Mitrofan to tonsure him into monasticism with the name Sergius. After tonsure and communion, the temple was filled with fragrance.

The arrival of the monks

For some time Sergius lived alone. He worked during the day and prayed at night. The demons frightened him and ordered him to leave this place, but the monk was not afraid of them. Soon rumors spread about the lonely monk, and monks began to settle near him. At first there were twelve of them.

The estimated date of formation of the monastery of Sergius Ave. is 1342. Mitrofan became the first abbot, but after his death Sergius went to the Pereyaslav bishop in order to beg for a new abbot. He blessed Sergius to become hegumen and priest himself.

Every day he served the liturgy and worked hard as an example to the brethren. In the evening he walked around the cells and if he heard that someone was talking and not praying, he knocked on the window. One day there was no food in the monastery, but the abbot forbade begging. The brothers grumbled greatly because of hunger, and then the Angel brought them bread. Another time, everyone was indignant that there was no water nearby. The monk prayed, and a spring gushed nearby. It still exists today, where believers go for healing.

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Foundation of a new monastery

The fame of the ascetic life and spiritual exploits of the Monk Sergius took on such a wide scope that it soon reached Byzantium, and Patriarch Philotheus of Constantinople, blessing him for new exploits, sent him monastic vestments and a pectoral cross. He accompanied his gift with a letter in which he gave some advice regarding the organization of the life of the monastery. However, the implementation of the patriarchal order caused discontent among the brethren, who complained about the excessive severity of the proposed charter.

In order not to force them to bear the “unbearable cross,” the Monk Sergius left the monastery and, settling on the banks of the Kerzhach River, founded a new monastery there in honor of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. However, the monastery he abandoned began to quickly decline, and Bishop Alexy of Moscow ordered him to return to his previous place, which the saint did, entrusting the new monastery to his disciple, the Monk Roman.

How does the image of Sergius of Radonezh help?

The constant flow of pilgrims to the divine images and relics of this saint does not dry out. Multiple miracles often happen before them:

pride is pacified, as this is considered one of the most serious sins;
receive help for their needs;
gracious advice and guidance;
Those who were sick are cured.

Often they pray in front of this face for success in the education and spiritual health of children. That is why this image is often found in Orthodox homes.

The icon of Sergius of Radonezh is venerated 4 times a year:

October 8 (September 25, old style) – day of death
July 18 (July 5) – the day of the discovery of the relics of the Saint
June 5 (May 23) – day in honor of the Rostov-Yaroslavl Cathedral
July 19 (July 6) is a day in honor of the Radonezh Cathedral.

The number of churches in Russia named after this saint exceeds half a thousand. Divine images of him can be found in every temple and church. Churchmen say that any prayer said in front of these icons can work miracles. There are several especially revered among Christians:

Icon and relics in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra

A miraculous situation is associated with the acquisition of relics. After the appointment of Sergius, they began to build a new temple in the monastery. And then, in the midst of construction, Sergius himself appeared to one parishioner. The believer spoke about this in the temple and said that Radonezh asked to get him out of the earth and water.

The monks decided to fulfill the request. When they lifted the coffin, I saw that there was water there. After death, 30 years passed and they were even more amazed, since His body and clothes remained preserved. After this, a large number of pilgrims came here. For some he healed the body, and for others the soul.

And before the sacred image they ask for: renunciation of a bad lifestyle, health of children, acquisition of faith.

Other faces with the relics of this saint are in many churches

Moscow. Prayers before them will help you find grace-filled help in difficult moments, healing, and relief from anxiety.

Historical information about the icon of Sergius of Radonezh

In Russian Orthodoxy, Sergei of Radonezh is a very respected and revered saint. The life of St. Sergius occurred in the fourteenth century; the saint completely devoted it to the service of God. His life was pious, observing all the Biblical commandments.

Fasting was very important for Sergius of Radonezh; he also monitored the fulfillment of God's commandments, setting an example for other believers with his life. The saint considered laziness to be the most terrible vice, so he worked hard until old age. He also showed kindness towards all people and tried, if possible, to help everyone who needed it.

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In his early years, Sergius of Radonezh once went alone into the forest. Far from city life and people, he built himself a house in which he lived for a long time, fervently praying to the Creator every day. In his prayers, Sergius asked the Lord to help protect the Russian lands and support the Russian people.

The saint was more than once offered to work in the Russian metropolitanate, but he showed contempt for political life. He preferred to lead a purely solitary life, engaged exclusively in serving the Lord.

During his life, the monk was able to provide his help to a huge number of people, awakened in them faith in God and provided his support during a difficult period. His such strong devotion to the Creator and unshakable faith ensured him the love of Orthodox Christians and the respect of the church. Therefore, posthumously Sergius of Radonezh was awarded the title of saint.

What do they pray to the saint for?

Believers consider Father Sergius a miracle worker and a saint. In their prayers, they ask the Reverend Elder to help them in worldly affairs, protect them from evil influences, and heal their body and soul.

Studies

Father Sergius helps with studies, before sessions and exams. The saint hears the prayers of everyone who prays and turns to him. You need to say in front of the icon: “Reverend Father Sergius, pray to God for me!” Before exams, it is advisable to go to church, pray and light a candle to the saint.

Litigation

Believers turn to the saint on the eve of trials. During his lifetime, Father Sergius stood up for the weak and helped them in the struggle for justice. Prayer to his divine face gives self-confidence to all who fight for the truth in the courts.

Quieting Pride

St. Sergius can help in prayers for the granting of humility and the taming of pride. When turning to the Reverend Elder, you need to repent of your sins and ask him to pray before God for your sinful soul.

Healing

Mothers turn to the Reverend Elder and ask him to heal the child. The saint is a mediator between people and the Almighty. Orthodox believe in the intercession of Sergius. Christians pray to him and ask him to grant health to themselves, their children, and their loved ones.

Protection

Prayer to Saint Sergius protects the house from enemies, and the soul from evil thoughts and passions. The elder served his native Fatherland all his life, strengthened the princes’ faith in God before battles, and sent monks to defend the land and fight the Tatars. Sergius always trusted in God’s help and received it in difficult times. His life is an example for all Christians.

Job

Sergius of Radonezh worked all his life. Believers turn to him so that in prayers to the Lord the holy elder will help them overcome life's difficulties. Sergius gives Christians faith in their own strength, encourages them not to be afraid of any work, and helps them get a new job.

Peace of mind

Fervent prayer to the holy elder helps to get rid of sinful thoughts, calm the soul, and find peace of mind. Sergius of Radonezh believed that faith in the Lord God and observance of his commandments help to live a righteous life and not sin. He taught his students humility and tolerance. Believers turn their requests to the Reverend Elder in the most anxious days of their lives.

Great miracle worker

Before taking monastic orders, Sergius of Radonezh bore the name Bartholomew . Already at the age of 12, he began to fast strictly, which aroused the fears of his parents - the mother of the youth Bartholomew was afraid that such zeal would harm the boy’s health. Later, Bartholomew expressed a desire to become a monk, but his parents, although they did not oppose their son’s wishes, asked him to wait to take the rank until their death. However, soon Bartholomew’s parents themselves took monastic vows - and then Bartholomew became a monk.

Together with his brother Stefan, in the deserted depths of the forest, he built a cell, and later built a small church. Stefan did not live long in the forest, seeing how difficult monastic life was, he left his brother. But he was not left alone - monastic brethren began to settle around the church - and in 1337 a monastery was founded, later the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

Questions and Answers The Repose of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Wonderworker of All Russia

During his life, St. Sergius performed many miracles. For example, there is a legend about the resurrection of a youth. A local resident brought his seriously ill son to St. Sergius and asked for healing. But while the father was talking with the monk, the boy died. The grief-stricken parishioner left to pick up the coffin, and Sergius began to pray fervently. When the father returned, his son was alive and completely healthy.

The monk performed miracles of healing throughout his life - he restored the sight of a blind bishop, healed an insomniac who could not sleep for twenty days, and restored reason to a possessed nobleman.

Sergius, with quiet and meek words, could influence the most hardened hearts; he often reconciled princes warring among themselves. And before the Battle of Kulikovo, Sergius blessed Prince Dmitry Donskoy for the battle and gave him two heroic monks - Oslyabya and Peresvet - to help him.

Miracles continued even after the death of the saint. Orthodox believe that his relics are capable of healing illnesses, they consider him the protector of the righteous and honest life, therefore they turn to him for help in litigation.

Sergius is especially respected by parents whose children do not show great success in their studies. The fact is that St. Sergius himself could not master reading and writing as a child. And only thanks to fervent prayer did he receive help from the Lord and began to know literacy better than all his peers. Therefore, not only the parents of careless schoolchildren, but also the pupils and students themselves often turn to the relics of Sergius of Radonezh on the eve of exams.

Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org