Every true Christian who righteously believes in God knows what the relics of Matrona are. After all, this great shrine has been one of the most revered in the whole world for many years. Thousands of pilgrims come to her every day to pay tribute to the blessed one and ask for help in worldly affairs. She is not just an Orthodox saint, she is a symbol of eternal miracle and gracious faith in the Lord, which has no end and edge in the souls and hearts of people.
This article will tell you how to venerate the relics of Matrona of Moscow in order to obtain the desired blessing.
Reliquary with the relics of Matrona of Moscow in the Pokrovsky Monastery
Brief background
Until 1925, Matrona Dmitrievna lived in her native village of Sebino, but persecution from the godless authorities forced her to move to Moscow, and the last 27 years of her life were spent in the capital and in the Moscow region. She was buried in the Danilovsky cemetery, not far from one of the few functioning churches.
In the first years after her death, only those who learned about the ascetic from friends, relatives, or completely by accident came to the grave. One of these people was Antonina Borisovna Malakhova (later schema-nun Matrona), who in the second half of the 1990s turned to Archbishop Arseny (Epifanov) of Istra and spoke about the popular veneration of the old woman, about the many people visiting her grave.
It was then that a canonization commission was created, which examined documents and facts related to the life of Matrona Dmitrievna Nikonova, and studied numerous testimonies of help received through the prayers of the old woman. Based on the results of her work, a decision was made to include the righteous Matrona among the locally revered Moscow saints.
Read a detailed article about the life of Matronushka: “The Life of Matrona of Moscow: the story of the holy mother.”
Life and spiritual exploits of Matronushka
Blessed Matrona is one of the most revered saints in Orthodoxy. To stand at the icons with her image, to kiss the relics of the saint, to turn to her in prayer means to find a faithful patroness who heals from illnesses, sorrows, gives hope, wisdom, insight and patience.
Matrona felt her miraculous power and desire to help people at the age of eight. From then until her death, she sought to help believers get rid of illnesses, survive grief and blows of fate. She could also predict the future. The soothsayer did this not to satisfy idle curiosity, but to direct her on the righteous path, to reveal the true purpose and capabilities of a person.
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There was always a pilgrimage to the saint's house. People from all over the area and distant corners stood for hours waiting to meet the healer. She demanded from them only sincere faith in God, trust and gratitude to him for giving them a chance to get rid of sins and find happiness.
Anticipating her death, Matrona, until her last day, hurried to receive those suffering who wanted to receive healing, help, and guidance. Her entire lifestyle, behavior, character traits served as a great example of kindness, sincerity, love, self-sacrifice, repentance and compassion.
Briefly about fate
The worldly name of the Wonderworker is Nikonova Matrona Dmitrievna. She was born November 22, 1881, and lived seventy-one years. Her parents lived in the Tula province, the village of Sebino. After giving birth, the mother wanted to abandon the girl due to her congenital blindness. The baby was missing eyeballs.
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The mother was stopped from committing a sin by a prophetic dream in which a blind white bird of unprecedented beauty landed on her chest. What made the girl stand out was that there was a bulge in the shape of a cross on her chest. The parents loved their daughter very much, but believed that this unfortunate woman would be dependent on them all her life. A few years later, they blamed themselves for such thoughts, because Matrona became the main breadwinner in their family, where there were three more children.
From the age of eight, she saved people from misfortunes, illnesses, and sorrows, bringing them comfort and healing. Finding peace and faith in God's grace, the pilgrims brought food to their parents and gifts for the family.
The Lives of the Saints mention a case when a man whose limbs had previously given up left Matrona on his own. And at the age of seventeen, she herself remained confined to a wheelchair, humbly carrying her cross.
Before this incident, Matrona managed to travel a little, visiting holy places of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians and meeting with John of Kronstadt (the holy righteous man), who announced her as his successor.
At forty-four, Matrona moved to Moscow, living here until her death. These were turbulent revolutionary years, when the church and its ministers suffered persecution by the Bolsheviks. They also affected Saint Matrona, who was sedentary and blind; she managed by some miracle to avoid arrest. But she did not stop serving the Russian people, helping to get rid of physical and mental pain, to find hope and strength to continue life.
The grave and relics of the saint
Matrona died on May 2, 1952, and she predicted this date three days before her death, continuing to carry her spiritual cross until her death. According to her will, the saint was buried at the Danilovsky cemetery. A few years later this place became very popular among pilgrims.
Before leaving, Matrona promised to help everyone who came to her grave. “...I will hear and see you, and help you...” She asked to trust God, and then she would pray before the Almighty, and also meet everyone.
In the nineties, they decided to exhume the remains and transfer them to the land of the Pokrovsky Convent. In 1999, Matrona was canonized as a Moscow saint. The relics of the Blessed One are kept in a special tomb (crystal).
The Intercession Monastery is one of the most visited places for believers, who line up in long lines to venerate the relics of the saint and turn to Matronushka. People come here from all over the world, bring fresh flowers, talk to her, pray and ask for help.
You can touch the shrine and feel the miraculous power of the relics not only in Moscow. Arks with pieces of Matrona’s relics and icons with her image are regularly sent to churches in Russian cities. Every day, before the face of the saint, hymns are sung and an akathist is read.
The discovery of the relics and the act of canonization of Elder Matrona of Moscow
An exciting event took place on March 8, 1998. The litia at the grave of the righteous woman was led by Archbishop Arseny of Istra. After this, the burial was opened, and the coffin with the honorable remains was transferred to the gate church in the name of Simeon the Stylite of the Danilov Monastery. Despite the fact that the event was not advertised, by this moment many people had gathered at the cemetery, and everyone noted a particularly joyful and blessed state of mind.
A commission worked for several days, which, along with clergy, included experts - historian Tanyukovich A.K. and anthropologist V.N. Zvyagin In particular, a bulge in the form of a cross was found on Matrona Dmitrievna’s chest - a direct confirmation of information from the life story of the old woman.
On April 30, the honorable remains were placed in one of the churches of the Danilov Monastery, and then the coffin was taken to the Intercession Monastery. Since that time, the relics of the blessed old woman have been kept here in a silver shrine. Exactly a year later, the official canonization of Saint Matrona of Moscow took place there. A few years later, in 2004, church-wide canonization took place.
How to achieve the patronage of the Blessed One and what help to expect
The miraculous power of the face of Saint Matrona and her relics is known not only throughout Russia, but also abroad. Turning to the Blessed One through a prayer book helps believers get rid of many problems:
- It heals patients from serious illnesses, especially helps restore the organ of vision.
- Mothers who have lost hope of having heirs are granted pregnancy.
- Protects from absurd death those who experience bitterness and longing for departed relatives.
- Maintains peace and harmony in the family, wards off fornication and bestows love.
- Eliminates hunger and poverty, improves material well-being.
- Patronizes babies, children without parents, the elderly and people with disabilities.
- Grants spiritual insight to those who have lost their way. Shows the path to enlightenment, growth and financial well-being through faith, trust and gratitude to God.
- She even saves unchurched people who come to her for help and support.
- Promotes insight, a change in values, enlightenment, and the search for one’s true purpose.
Even during her lifetime, the saint became interested in the gift of foresight of the great leader Stalin. Matrona predicted the powerful guest's future victory over fascism and his direct participation in this. She did not like to predict the future for ordinary people and tried to give information in fragments, thereby inspiring them to exploits or, conversely, protecting them from mistakes in the future.
Rules for turning to sainthood
It is possible to find spiritual contact with Matrona of Moscow through verbal or mental prayer. It is believed that the canonical petitions from the prayer book will be heard first. But it is possible to appeal in your own words, coming from a pure heart.
Any request must imply good intentions and in no way worsen the lives of other people. Once you speak the words, you must feel and believe what you are asking for. Your task is to open up as much as possible and humbly expect any impact, believing in a better fate.
You can address the saint by name - Matronushka. It was this kind of affectionate treatment that she loved. Touching the relics of the Blessed One or approaching her icon, you can feel strength, relief, and peace. Anxiety and denial come to those whose request is not accepted.
Matronushka may not hear the requests of people who violate God’s commandments, lead a consumer lifestyle, ignore other people’s pain, suffering, torment, who want to beat off someone else’s spouse or illegally inherit someone else’s property. To such sinners the blessed image may come in a dream with instruction and teaching.
The prayer of a saint can be very effective and powerful. To do this, we must not forget the way to church. Your faith must be constant and true. Attending services, receiving communion, confessing, giving alms and thanking God for everything that happens to you is what can bring you closer to the miraculous power of Matronushka.
The more often and more thoughtfully you pronounce the insightful text of the prayer service, the higher the chance of programming your brain for positive changes, setting yourself up for repentance, patience, hope and creativity. Reading a prayer requires some relaxation, calmness and getting rid of worldly vanity, problems, sorrows and everything negative.
Matrona of Moscow is especially revered on memorial days:
- May 2 is the day of her death and the day of canonization;
- November 22 is the birthday of the Wonderworker;
- March 8 – discovery of holy relics.
How to touch the relics and visit the grave of the soothsayer
The grave of the righteous old woman is located at the Danilovsky cemetery. There are always a lot of pilgrims here. They bring fresh flowers (Matrona did not like artificial ones), bow, kiss the cross, pray and ask for help, believing that the great Wonderworker will definitely hear them. A chapel named after Matrona of Moscow was installed at the grave.
You can get to the grave by metro. Exit to the station Tulskaya, and then walk for ten minutes along the road with signs. Tram number 26 and bus number 26 also go here. It is extremely difficult to get lost, because this path has already been mastered by thousands of believers who regularly come to the holy place to regain strength, confidence in the future, and strengthen faith in the Lord.
Since 1998, the relics of Matronushka have been located in the Intercession Monastery, at Taganskaya 58 (Moscow). It is open to pilgrims every day and is open from seven in the morning to eight in the evening. You can get here by metro to the station. Marxist and walk (20 minutes). Another option: go to the station. Peasant outpost and walk to Abelmanovskaya outpost (square) for ten minutes.
There is a holy spring on the territory of the monastery. It can be found next to the bell tower. There is also a children's area with swings, and a dining room for parishioners. At the very entrance there is a church shop where you can buy candles, icons with the image of the Wonderworker, and order prayers for health.
The main shrines (relics and icon) are located in the temple, where there are long queues. Everyone who comes here will be able to touch the special reliquary in which the relics of Matronushka are stored. This is a great chance to find God’s grace, be imbued with spiritual strength, and cleanse the soul of hardships and adversities. The monastery receives guests every day from seven in the morning to eight in the evening and awaits believers for morning and evening services.
The current state of the Intercession Monastery
Over the past twenty-two years, much has been done at the monastery to make people who come to Matronushka feel comfortable. For pilgrims coming from different parts of Russia and from abroad, a hotel has been opened here, on the ground floor of which there is a refectory.
For those who do not plan to stay in the monastery for a long time, there is a second refectory on the territory near the holy spring. Here, in the warm season, you can not only have a snack in the open air, but also relax at the tables, and in winter, have a delicious lunch in a heated room.
Read the full article about the monastery - “Women’s Monastery of the Intercession of St. Matrona in Moscow.”
Impressions from visiting the Matrona of Moscow Church on Taganka
The Temple of the Matrona of Moscow on Taganka is always full of people. The number of people coming here at any time of the year is unprecedented. Men and women of different ages come here with flowers. A lot of them. Thousands upon thousands stand quietly in line for four to five hours. Everyone is friendly and calm. Therefore, mothers with small children are skipped in line.
If a woman with children comes to the Matrona Church on Taganka, everyone pays attention to her, especially if there is a baby. The line will kindly part and let them through. They will be warmly greeted inside the temple, offered a cradle for the baby, and advised on how it will be more convenient for the children to get to the place where the relics and icon of the Matrona of Moscow are located. As a farewell, they will offer flower petals blessed by prayers.
People standing in line say that misfortune forced them to visit many miraculous places, but it is the Matrona Temple on Taganka that makes the brightest impression on them. And although it is not holy people who come here, but citizens who live in ordinary city apartments or houses, work in production or serve in offices, come to ask the saint for help and protection, here in the huge queue you can always feel the spirit of peace and love. Parishioners say that while they wait, the oppression lifts from their hearts and they feel relief.
How to venerate the relics of Blessed Matrona
The church has developed rules - a kind of etiquette, following which a person shows respect for centuries-old traditions and for the people around him. According to custom, when approaching the relics, you need to bow twice and cross yourself, venerate the exposed parts of the body or the saint’s robe, then make the sign of the cross again and bow. There is an Orthodox tradition of consecrating crosses and icons on the body - they are usually applied to the side surface of the shrine.
Considering the large number of people seeking to turn to the righteous Matrona, it is hardly appropriate to delay the queue and read a long prayer in front of the shrine - it is advisable to do this in advance, because the saint hears our words regardless of where and when they are spoken.
During the monthly cleansing, priests do not recommend that girls and women touch shrines, however, if the opportunity to get to the monastery occurs at this time, you can go into the temple and pray without touching the relics.
What does Matrona of Moscow help with?
Blessed Matrona, Matrona of Moscow is one of the most popular and sought-after saints among Orthodox Christians. The Reverend Matrona was famous for her wise advice, healing gift, as well as her love for all neighbors, including the orphans and the needy. She answered people’s requests and gave them true faith, and currently continues to answer the prayers of the suffering.
Blessed Matrona is asked for everything that does not go beyond the scope of piety. However, the main requests are those that were related to her line of work during her lifetime: Saint Matrona was known primarily as a skilled healer. Therefore, they ask her to cure serious illnesses and ailments, as well as to remove the crown of infertility from married couples.
However, Matrona of Moscow also answers other requests - if you pray diligently and with a pure heart. People whom she has helped say that she helps in difficult financial situations, with a broken heart, and with unhappy love; The matron can return the unlucky husband to the family and cure him of alcoholism, help him conceive a child and change, drive away the demonic thoughts of the young. There are many prayers to Matrona of Moscow that need to be read in a variety of situations.
How to get there, address and phone number
Monastery address: Moscow, Taganskaya street, 58.
The monastery is open to the public every day:
- from Monday to Saturday from 7:00 to 20:00,
- on Sundays from 6:00 to 20:00.
You can get to the Intercession Monastery in different ways, all routes are oriented towards the stop - “Abelmanovskaya Zastava Square”. You can get there:
- From Taganskaya Street (metro stations “Marksistskaya” and “Taganskaya”) by trolleybus No. 16, 63 or 26) or bus No. 51.
- From the Ploshchad Ilyich metro station, change to the tram.
- Exit to Papernika Street from the Ryazansky Prospekt metro station and get to the desired stop by bus or trolleybus (routes No. 63 and No. 5).
From the Krestyanskaya Zastava or Proletarskaya metro stations you can walk to Abelmanovskaya Zastava in approximately 5 minutes.
Help numbers:; +7(495)911-81-66.
You can call the hotel at: +7(495)911-26-07.
Visiting hours
Pilgrims can visit the relics of Matrona of Moscow daily. The opening hours of the temple where the tomb is located are the same as those of the Pokrovsky Convent. Visiting hours: Monday - Saturday from 07.00 - 20.00, Sunday from 06.00 - 20.00.
It is better to come to the relics of St. Matrona on weekdays; on weekends the queue is several times longer; you can stand for up to 6 hours. If you come with a child, you can skip the line to see the large icon and relics.
Where and when was the Monastery of the Intercession founded?
In the old days, the place where the Matrona of Moscow Church on Taganka is now located was the cemetery “On Poor Houses” for executed and wandering people. Later, a merchant stratum emerged from among the common people. She was not respected in the country. Therefore, merchants were also buried in this cemetery at one time.
In the first half of the 17th century, Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich issued a Decree on the construction of a convent here. For a long time it was called the Pokrovsky Monastery on poor houses. A theological seminary was opened under him. It was a real center of Orthodoxy. Its first destruction and looting took place during the entry of Napoleon Bonaparte's troops into Moscow. The second will be discussed further.
The prophecies of Matrona of Moscow do not lose relevance
All the prophecies of Matrona of Moscow came true. While still a young maiden, she already predicted revolution and civil war. During the hungry years, her relatives moved her to Moscow. Her healing abilities and gift of foresight were needed here in these troubled times. Many people always came to her to find out about the fate of loved ones, to be healed of an illness or to return strength to life. At the same time, the prophetess performed miracles.
God's gift manifested itself in her from early childhood. Wanting to help their blind daughter, mother and father took her to holy places and monasteries. As a result of this, at the age of 14, Matrona had a meeting with Saint John of Kronstadt, who, by laying on of hands, blessed her to serve God and people. Her healings occurred as a result of constant prayers to God. She always asked people to take care of their souls and not turn to grandmothers and fortune tellers.
There is information that the special services also listened to her prophecies. Popular rumor says that the old woman gave advice to Stalin himself. In connection with this, a picture was even painted depicting Matrona and the Generalissimo together. They also said that, on her advice, a plane carrying Orthodox shrines flew over the city during the most difficult times. Before the decisive battle for the capital, Liturgy was held in all churches and temples, monasticism and priests prayed and fasted without ceasing, days and nights. Their efforts brought success, and the prophetess Matrona began to be revered and blessed by everyone.
The blessed old woman predicted her death in advance. At the same time, she made another prophecy, saying that we would all continue to come to her after her death. She ordered to tell her about all the sorrows, as it was during her difficult, but surprisingly bright life. On May 2, according to the new style, she left our world. Since then, this day has become a day of memory of Matrona of Moscow.
The Holy and Blessed Matrona is still near and dear to people today
Thousands and thousands of people flow here in two streams.
One is sent to the icon located in the monastery courtyard. Another stream of people reaches the entrance to the temple, where her relics rest. Many people bring bottles with them in order to draw pure healing water from a consecrated source. It is wonderful that regardless of the weather, people patiently and humbly stand in this hours-long queue. They have bright, calm faces even in gloomy weather. They are friendly and welcoming. Western journalists are surprised at how much this place changes human behavior. After all, patience, politeness and attentiveness are not characteristic features of Moscow residents. It is obvious that the life of Matrona of Moscow still permeates this place with love and kindness. She continues to influence us today and change us for the better.
