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Any life of a saint is full of events of both a positive and negative nature. As an example, we can take the life of the holy Prince Vsevolod (in the baptism of Gabriel). In most cases, he is spoken of as a statesman, and few can say that in addition to this, he is also revered in Orthodoxy. Although he deserved such honor precisely because of his deeds and faith in the Lord.
Beginning of rule in Novgorod
If the old order of inheritance had still been preserved in Rus', then Vsevolod could have become the ruler of Kyiv. However, in the 12th century, the East Slavic state finally entered the stage of feudal fragmentation, when there was no single power, but there were several centers of influence. One of them was Novgorod the Great. It was the second largest city in Rus', its unofficial northern capital.
It was there that young Vsevolod was sent in 1117. However, the citizens of Novgorod were distinguished by the most freedom-loving and restless character. The veche, a people's meeting in the central square of the city, where the most important decisions were made, continued to be of great importance here. The princely power here competed with the power of the mayors. It was an elected position. Most often, local merchants or boyars became mayors.
In the first year of Vsevolod’s reign, Novgorodians began to make independent decisions without asking the young governor about it. This behavior infuriated Vladimir Monomakh, who ruled in Kyiv and was conventionally considered the eldest and most important prince. He called the Novgorod boyars to the southern capital, half of whom he left as hostages. Those who remained returned to their city and convinced their fellow citizens to accept the mayor appointed by Monomakh.
Notes
- ↑ 12
[litopys.org.ua/novglet/ Novgorod first chronicle of the older and younger editions. - M.-L.: "Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Sciences", 1950. - 659 p. // "Izbornik". History of Ukraine IX-XVIII] under 6639. - ↑ 12
Presnyakov A.E. Princely law in Ancient Rus'. Lectures on Russian history. Kievan Rus - M.: Nauka, 1993. ISBN 5-02-009526-5 - [litopys.org.ua/novglet/novg45.htm/ Novgorod first chronicle of the older and younger editions. - M.-L.: "Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Sciences", 1950. - 659 p. // "Izbornik". History of Ukraine IX-XVIII] - charter document of the Church of St. John on Opoki.
- .Chernov S.Z. SPHRAGISTIC COMPLEX FROM MOGUTOV AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR STUDYING THE PREHISTORY OF MOSCOW LAND IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 12TH CENTURY. FIRST EXPERIMENTS OF INTERPRETATION //Ancient Rus'. Questions of medieval studies. 2003. No. 2 (12). pp. 5-21.
- Froyanov I. Ya. Ancient Rus' of the 9th-13th centuries. Popular movements. Princely and veche power. M.: Russian Publishing Center, 2012. P. 285
- [litopys.org.ua/ipatlet/ipat.htm Ipatiev Chronicle // Complete collection of Russian chronicles. vol. 2. St. Petersburg, 1908 // “Izbornik”. History of Ukraine IX—XVIII]
- E. A. Bolkhovitinov “History of the Principality of Pskov. Part IV" - Kiev: "In the Printing House of the Kiev-Pechora Lavra", 1831 - (p. 4)
- [days.pravoslavie.ru/Life/life429.htm Holy Righteous Prince Vsevolod of Pskov]
- [www.saints.ru/n/27okt.prp.Nikola_svyatosha Life of St. Nicholas Svyatosha]
Prince of Pereyaslavl
When Vsevolod's father Mstislav died in 1132, Kyiv passed to his uncle, Yaropolk Vladimirovich. While his elder brother was still alive, he promised that he would give his former possession, Pereyaslavl, to his nephew. Vsevolod briefly left Novgorod to gain the southern city.
However, he never managed to begin to rule there. His other uncle, Yuri Dolgoruky, kicked his nephew out of Pereyaslavl. He was afraid that Vsevolod would become Yaropolk's heir in Kyiv. According to the new order, power in the “mother of Russian cities” was transferred according to seniority.
The exiled Prince Vsevolod returned to Novgorod. However, the townspeople did not want to accept him, accusing him of treason. The prince left them to rule in Pereyaslavl, which means he broke his promise to die with them.
Troparion, kontakion and canon to Saint Vsevolod Mstislavich, Prince of Pskov
Troparion, tone 4:
From early childhood you appeared to the God-wise Prince Gabriel, a divine vessel chosen by God, raised in piety, keeping the faith immaculate. Having established many holy churches, you suffered exile from your own, just as your chaste ancestors were killed by their brother. Standing with them, the Holy Trinity, pray, the Russian Power will be preserved as the ruler, and we will all be saved.
Kontakion, tone 8:
Having wisely settled in the city of Pskov, blessed Prince Gabriel, you were the fruit of God’s goodness in this life, ever blooming with virtues and, like David, with kindness, for this sake you received eternal life in Heaven, always in vain the Holy Trinity; pray for us to be delivered from all troubles, so we call upon you, rejoicing in the establishment of our city.
Library of the Russian Faith Canon to Holy Prince Vsevolod, the Wonderworker of Pskov →
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Again the Novgorod prince
However, the Novgorodians soon came to their senses. They returned the prince to the city. However, now his power was limited by the mayors. They turned from the prince's servants and assistants into his co-rulers.
Meanwhile, the western borders of the Novgorod land continued to be disturbed by the raids of wild monsters. Prince Vsevolod decided to put an end to this. On February 9, 1033, he captured the city of Yuryev. This fortress was founded by Yaroslav the Wise. He named her after his Christian name given to him at baptism. In 1061, local tribes regained control of the site, while Russian rulers continued their internecine wars.
The news of Yuryev's return was received by Novgorodians with great joy. However, there was still no peace inside the city. The people continued to worry, including local officials. One of them was even thrown from the bridge into Volkhov. For Novgorod, this place was akin to the rock in Sparta, where frail babies were disposed of.
War with Yuri Dolgoruky
Therefore, Prince Vsevolod Mstislavich urgently needed something that could distract the restless people. Soon such a reason was found. In Southern Rus', wars continued between warring princes. Vsevolod's younger brother Izyaslav ruled in Turov, from where he was expelled by his uncles.
The fugitive found refuge in Novgorod. The brothers decided to oppose Yuri Dolgoruky, with whom they had old scores to settle. In addition, the Novgorod people were dissatisfied with the Suzdal prince. The bread they bought in the land of Yuri Dolgoruky was now subject to an additional duty, causing its price to jump sharply.
The residents themselves demanded a campaign from their prince. The army left the city on December 31, 1134. The journey to enemy land took about a month. The brothers agreed that if successful, Izyaslav would become the prince of Suzdal.
Face of a saint
He is depicted mainly as a middle-aged man in princely clothes with a long beard and dark hair. There is an image from the 15th century, where he is presented at the time of his reign in Novgorod. But on most of them he is depicted holding the Trinity Cathedral. Reading prayers to him can be done both in the temple and at home.
It is advisable to use an icon in this process. It will help you concentrate and take your mind off other thoughts. The most important thing in prayer is not so much the words as the faith with which they are spoken. Remember that a saint is only a mediator between us and the Lord. For the most part, everything depends on us.
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God bless you!
You will also be interested in watching a video story about the holy prince:
Battle of Zhdana Mountain
On January 26, 1135, the opponents met. The Novgorodians stopped at Zhdana Mountain. The Suzdal residents had to knock out the enemy from the occupied heights. In order to do this, it was decided to allocate a detachment that went around behind enemy lines.
Finally, the Novgorodians rushed down, trying to defeat the enemy. At first, the Suzdal people found themselves in a very difficult situation, even the princely banner was captured. However, at the most decisive moment, a detachment sent to the rear came to the rescue. Novgorodians found themselves between two fires. Many people were killed, including the city mayor and the thousand.
Prince Vsevolod of Novgorod fled from the battlefield. In honor of the victims, he ordered the construction of the Church of the Assumption. Even on the eve of the campaign, Metropolitan Mikhail of Kiev arrived in the city and convinced the Novgorodians not to start bloodshed. He was detained. After the defeat, the Novgorodians released the minister of the Church with honors. In the Principality of Suzdal, in memory of the battle at Zhdana Mountain, a monastery was erected in its place. Fearing his western neighbors, Yuri Dolgoruky founded Moscow a few years later.
Expulsion from Novgorod
However, Prince Vsevolod, whose short biography already knew ups and downs, was never able to recover from defeat. Citizens were unhappy with his flight from the battlefield. In 1136 they announced to Vsevolod that they were depriving him of power. Reasons were also given: dislike for the people, leaving for Pereyaslavl several years ago, fleeing during the battle at Zhdana Gora, fickle politics, under which he supported either the Kyiv or Chernigov princes.
Vsevolod and his family were sent to prison, where he spent 7 weeks awaiting his fate. At this time, the Novgorodians decided to call upon the princes by decision of the veche. This marked the end of the classical monarchy in this city. Novgorod became the first republic in Rus' - later a similar system will appear in Pskov.
The first to be called was Svyatoslav Olgovich, the son of the Chernigov prince. Only after he arrived in the city was Vsevolod, by decision of the veche, released and banished forever.
Prince of Vyshgorod and Pskov
He arrived in Kyiv to visit his uncle Yaropolk. He gave him control of the small Vyshgorod. However, the reign of Prince Vsevolod in Novgorod did not pass without a trace. There he still had many supporters, including the local mayor. At first they almost killed the new prince Svyatoslav Olgovich, but in the end they themselves went to Vyshgorod to their ruler.
Among them were Pskovites. It was they who invited Vsevolod to rule in their city, which was semi-independent of Novgorod. The prince loved the Russian north; in the south he was uncomfortable among the endless strife of local destinies. He happily went to Pskov, enlisting the support of Prince Vasilko of Polotsk along the way. Back in 1129, he was exiled by Vsevolod’s father to Constantinople. Therefore, Vasilko even had a serious reason to take revenge on the guest. However, he generously forgot his offense against Mstislav and even accompanied Vsevolod with his army to Pskov.
He was happily received in the city, which from that moment became an independent principality. However, in Novgorod this news infuriated the people. Residents of the city plundered the houses of Vsevolod's remaining well-wishers. In addition, they raised money to buy the necessary weapons needed in the campaign against Pskov. Svyatoslav called for help from his brother, the Kursk prince Gleb. The nomadic Cumans, who were allies of the Chernigov rulers, went north. They had never plundered the northern borders of Rus' and were now happily awaiting this campaign.
However, the Pskovites did not lose heart. They armed themselves and blocked all roads into the city. To achieve this, trees were felled and fortifications were built. Finally, Svyatoslav reached Dubrovna and turned back, not daring to bloodshed.
The conflict persisted, but the biography of Prince Vsevolod was interrupted. He died of health problems in 1138. His place was taken by his younger brother Svyatopolk. Thus, Vsevolod managed to remain the prince of Pskov for exactly a year. He had a son, Vladimir, and a daughter, Verkhuslava, who married the Polish ruler Boleslav IV Kudryavy.
What does a saint help with?
During his principality, he made a serious contribution to the development of Novgorod and Pskov. According to chronicle sources, he built quite a few Christian churches. He is especially revered in Pskov and considered his patron. He is often contacted for:
- assistance in military affairs;
- protection from enemy attacks;
- assistance in the defense of their native land and so on.
Often they turned to him before the threat of a raid.
Remembrance days are considered:
- 24 February;
- 5 May;
- December 10.
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Those who need the help of this saint especially pay attention to them. There is an opinion that if you turn to him on these days, the prayer texts will have greater power.
Oh, great servant of God and glorious miracle worker, holy and faithful Prince Vsevolod Gabriel, heavenly intercessor and protector of the city of Pskov and all Russian powers, and zealous representative and protector of all of us before God!
Standing before the Throne of the Great King and our God, glorified and worshiped in the Trinity of Saints, I have great boldness towards him, as His faithful servant and saint.
To you, since we are akin to you and a powerful intercessor before the Lord, we resort to sins and unworthiness and tenderly ask you:
pray to the Triune God to turn away his anger from us, righteously driven by our deeds against us, and, despising our countless sins, turn us to the path of repentance and salvation.
Protect our belly in peace with your prayers, and in all good things, good haste and all that is needed for belly and piety, grant us the gift.
And just as in ancient times your city of Pskov wonderfully delivered you from the captivity and destruction of the military, so now you and all the cities and villages of our country from all misfortunes and troubles, and vain deaths, by your intercession delivered us, and from all enemies, visible and invisible, with your protection .
Pray evermore to the merciful God:
May the suffering Russian country be freed from the cruel atheists and their authorities, and may He erect the throne of Orthodox rulers, His faithful servants, who cry out to Him day and night in sorrow and sorrow,
May the cry of many pains be heard and may our belly be carried away from destruction, may we live a quiet and silent life in all piety and purity,
and so this temporary life has passed in the world, we will achieve eternal peace, and we will be worthy of the Heavenly Kingdom, glorifying the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and your holy intercession, forever and ever.
Amen.
