Blessed Lavrenty of Kaluga, Fool for Christ's sake

LAVRENTY

Blzh. Lavrenty Kaluzhsky. Icon. 1st half XIX century (CAC MDA)

Blzh. Lavrenty Kaluzhsky. Icon. 1st half XIX century (TsAK MDA) († 10.08.1515 (?)), bl. (memorial August 10), Fool for Christ's sake, Kaluga. Little information about L. is provided by a brief introduction to the Miracles of the saint, known in manuscripts of the 17th-18th centuries. (RNB. Collection of Tikhanov. No. 751. Sheets 3-9, late 17th century; No. 274. Sheets 1-15, late 18th century; NSRK. Q. 5. Sheets 1-12 , 1756; TGOM. F. 1409. List 1. D. 150, last quarter of the 17th century; RSL. Music No. 9578, 2nd half of the 18th century; Music No. 10473. L. 15-24, late 17th - early 18th centuries; RSL. Tikhonr. No. 375. L. 288 v. - 289 v.; retelling of Miracles: RNL. NSRK. F. 107, 1860; Vlad. F. 8. L. 309 volume - 310, XIX century - EK IRLI. PD). The Kaluga Nativity Monastery kept a list compiled during the period of abbotship. Karion (1698-1722), in which there was an image of L. Found in literature (see: Leonid (Kavelin), 1888; Kovalevsky, 1895) the identification of the abbot of the Nativity Monastery with the priest. Karion (Istomin) is baseless, since the latter did not live in Kaluga during the indicated years. The dating of the last two miracles, 1666 and 1668, indicates that their composition was apparently completed long before the abbots. Karion (the Miracles of the time of his abbess are not recorded in the known lists). The composition of the texts is not the same: RSL lists. Music No. 9578, Music. No. 10473; RNB. Collection Tikhanov. No. 274 contains 9 miracles, including lifetime ones. On the lists of the National Library of Russia. Collection Tikhanov. No. 751 and TGOM (judging by the description of M.N. Speransky) - 5 miracles, the text ends with the Miracle of 1641 that happened to the townsman Trofim Ermolaev, and there are no Miracles about the healing of Andrei Kologrivov, the youth Simeon and Peter Kologrivov.

The introduction to Miracles says that L. lived at the court of the Kaluga prince. Semyon Ivanovich (appanage prince in 1505-1518). Perhaps the saint came from the noble family of Khitrovo, since his name was the first to be included in the synodikon of G.S. Khitrovo, kept in the Przemysl Trinity Lyutikov Monastery (Leonid (Kavelin). Historical description of the Przemysl Trinity Lyutikov Monastery. 1862 pp. 120-121). According to oral tradition, L. loved to pray in a cell connected by an underground passage to the church. in honor of the Nativity of Christ; remaining unnoticed, the holy fool often attended church services. In the 19th century the townspeople showed a bush, under the Crimea there was a descent into an underground passage (He. Historical description of the Kaluga Laurentian Monastery. 1862. No. 1. P. 4-5). In the preface to the Miracles, a detailed description of the saint’s appearance was preserved: “... the hair on the head has gray hair, long hair, disheveled, the brad is long, gray, forked at the end, you wear a fur coat, barefoot, in a suit” (RSL. Muz. No. 9578. L. 9-9 vol.).

The only miracle of the saint during his lifetime, dating back to 1512, tells about the salvation of the prince. Semyon Ivanovich in battle with the “Hagarians” (possibly with the army of the Crimean Khan Mengli-Girey). In the midst of the battle, when the prince, who was on the ship (“nasad”), was surrounded by the Tatars, the holy fool shouted in the princely chambers: “Give me my ax, the Agarian dogs attacked Prince Simeon.” With an ax in his hands, L. ran out of the house, after some time he returned and said to his family: “Defense from the dog of Prince Simeon!”

Reverends Tikhon of Kaluga and Paphnutius of Borovsky, Blessed. Lavrenty Kaluzhsky. Painting of the Kazan Church. Optina is empty. 2004 Master mon. Maria (Levestam)

Reverends Tikhon of Kaluga and Paphnutius of Borovsky, Blessed. Lavrenty Kaluzhsky. Painting of the Kazan Church. Optina is empty. 2004 Master mon. Maria (Levestam)

L. was buried under c. Nativity of Christ, after. here the Lavrentiy Kaluga monastery arose in honor of the Nativity of Christ (in the charter of Tsar Ivan IV Vasilyevich the Terrible (December 12, 1565) the “monastery of the Nativity of Christ, where Lavrentiy, the holy fool for Christ’s sake, lies) was mentioned.”

The date of the saint’s repose is called “The Book of the Verb Description of the Russian Saints”: “The holy righteous Lawrence, like Christ, for the sake of the holy fool, the miracle worker, reposed in the summer of 7023 (1515) of the month of August on the tenth day.” However, it was unknown to the compilers of Miracles, as indicated by the postscript in one of the lists: “... how long the saint lived and in what year he died is unknown, even if there was any kind of scripture, but before the invasion of the Hagarians and Polish and Lithuanian people there was no need to perish "(RGB. Music No. 9578. L. 9 vol.). The same date is found in the calendar with the chronicle: RSL. F. 651. No. 88. Sheet 800 vol., after 1719. Perhaps it arose from an incorrect reading of the only chronological indication of the Miracles: “the summer of 3K-g” (7020, i.e. 1512) was read as 3KG (i.e. 1515).

According to E.E. Golubinsky, L. was canonized in the 2nd half. XVI or 1st half. XVII century In an extract from the Kaluga scribe books of 1628 and 1629. scribe Grigory Pleshcheev and clerk Grigory Semyonov reported: “The Rozhestvennaya monastery is behind the settlement, where Lavrentey Christ for the sake of the ugly lies” (Simson P. Kaluga district during the time of Mikhail Feodorovich // Izv. Kaluga UAK. 1894. No. 3. P. 48). One of the first posthumous Miracles of the saint tells of the healing in 1621 at the relics of L. nobleman Andrei Kologrivov, whom his son Lev brought to the monastery. The paralyzed patient was carried into the church in his arms (“halfway”). When they began to sing a prayer service, he crossed himself, stood up and himself reached the saint’s shrine. In 1668, Lev Kologrivov again, “as promised,” visited the monastery. This time he brought his son Peter, who was obsessed with the “shaking disease.” After the prayer service and litiya, the son went home completely healthy (other representatives of this noble family also patronized the mon-ru; after the war of 1812, General A. S. Kologrivov donated trophy silver; it was kept in the bishop’s sacristy (Dneprovsky-Orbeliani. 2015 . P. 45)). The troparion and kontakion of St. Lawrence (see: Rudi. 2007. P. 469; in the list: RNL. Collection of Tikhanov. No. 751 their compilation is dated to May 4, 1666, in another list (Ibid. No. 274) the Miracle is dated at the same time about the healing of the youth Simeon, missing in manuscript No. 751). The saint is called a miracle worker in the inscription on the Gospel, enclosed in 1693 by Tsarevna Tatiana Mikhailovna in the Nativity Monastery in memory of the soul of her sister Anna (monastically Anfisa). In some lists of Miracles there is a service of L. (RGB. Music No. 10473. L. 9-15; on sheet 24 there is an entry: “This canon and miracles were written in the summer of 7203 (1695) on May 1 in the monastery The Nativity of Christ"; RSL. Music No. 9578. L. 1-8 vol.). Compiled in the 19th century. Akathists of Leningrad were not allowed for publication by spiritual censorship (definitions of the Synod of February 22, 1891 and May 22, 1894; see: Popov. Akathists. 1903. P. 437).

Memory of L. on August 10. included in the “Alphabet” of the Old Believer monastery. Jonah of Kerzhensky: “... Lavrenty died in the summer of 7023” (YaMZ. Inv. No. 15544, 1807-1811. L. 371).

L. was revered as the defender of the city. The Kaluga militia fought under a banner, on one side of which the Kaluga image of the Mother of God was depicted, on the other - L., in 1814 the banner was moved to the city’s cathedral (Anniversary collection in memory of the Patriotic War of 1812: 1812-1912 / Ed. . I. F. Tsvetkov. Kaluga, 1912. Color included between pp. 20 and 21; now the banner is kept in the Kaluga Museum of Local Lore (Tuminskaya. 2014. P. 39)).

L.'s relics were kept in the Nativity Cathedral under a bushel near the left choir; in 1750, a silver-plated copper shrine was built above them, on which was a life-size image of L. in a chased silver frame. In 1855, in connection with the renewal of the throne, the lower church of the Nativity Cathedral, consecrated in 1650 in the name of Archdeacon. sschmch. Lawrence, was renamed in the name of Blessed. Lavrenty Kaluga. Annually 10 Aug. In Kaluga there was a procession of the cross from the city to the monastery.

In 1918 the monastery was closed, in the 20s - early. 30s XX century destroyed the main buildings of the monastery. 6 Nov In 1993, on the site of the Nativity Cathedral above the supposed burial place of L., a cross with an unquenchable lamp was installed; in 1995, on the site of the altar, a wooden chapel was erected in the name of the blessed one. Lawrence. 15 Nov 2010 Metropolitan Kaluga and Borovsky Clement (Kapalin) laid the foundation for the cathedral in honor of the Nativity of Christ with chapels in the name of the blessed one. Lawrence and prmts. Elisaveta Feodorovna. As part of the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the death of the saint on December 28. In 2013, the Saint Laurentian local history readings were held in the monastery.

Source: Faithful Monthly. P. 27; Description about Russian saints. C. 231; Menaea (MP). Aug. Part 1. pp. 297-309.

Lit.: IRI. Part 6. pp. 1018-1020; Ratshin. Monasteries. P. 110; Leonid (Kavelin), archimandrite. East. description of the Kaluga Laurentian Monastery and the Krestovskaya Church belonging to it. // Kaluga EV. 1862. No. 1. P. 1-14; No. 2. P. 22-25; No. 6. P. 87 (department of publishing: Kaluga, 18882); aka. East. description of the Przemysl Trinity Lyutikov Monastery. Kaluga, 1862; aka. Review of handwritten and early printed books in the book depositories of the Kaluga diocese // CHOIDR. 1865. Book. 4. P. 5; aka. Holy Rus'. pp. 154-155; Muravyov. ZHSvRC. July. pp. 103-106; Barsukov. Sources of hagiography. Stb. 320-321; Filaret (Gumilevsky). RSv. T. 2. P. 477-480; Belyaev A., priest. Life and miracles of rights. Lawrence, Christ for the sake of the holy fool, Kaluga miracle worker. Kaluga, 1891; Speransky M. N. Description of the manuscripts of the Tver Museum. M., 1891. Issue. 1. pp. 213, 215, 216; Kovalevsky I., priest. Foolishness for Christ and for Christ's sake, holy fools Vost. and Rus. Churches. M., 1895. P. 251-255; Golubinsky. Canonization of saints. P. 153; Budovnits I.U. Dictionary Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian. writing and literature until the 18th century. M., 1962. P. 298; Ivanov V.A. St. rights. Lavrenty Kaluga and the monastery named after him: (Some results and objectives of the study) // Mon-ry in the life of Russia. Kaluga; Borovsk, 1997. pp. 221-230; Romanova A. A. Miracles of Lavrenty Kaluga // SKKDR. Vol. 3. Part 4. pp. 238-240; Ivanov S. A. Blessed obscenities: The cultural history of foolishness. M., 2005. S. 261-262, 265; Rudi T.R. About the topic of the lives of holy fools // TODRL. St. Petersburg, 2007. T. 58. P. 457; Tuminskaya O. A. Handwritten lives of holy fools of the 16th-19th centuries: (According to the materials of the Russian National Library of Russia) // Bulletin of NArFU: Humanit. and social Sciences. Arkhangelsk, 2013. No. 1. P. 110-113; she is the same. The image of the holy fool in Christ in Russian. art con. XV - beginning XX century: ADD. St. Petersburg, 2014. P. 34, 39; Dneprovsky-Orbeliani A.S. Lavrentiev Monastery, which has shone throughout the centuries. Kaluga, 2015.

A. A. Romanova

Iconography

Blzh. Lavrenty Kaluzhsky. Icon. 3rd quarter XVII century (Ts. Martyr George, “what’s behind the horse”, Kaluga)

Blzh. Lavrenty Kaluzhsky. Icon. 3rd quarter XVII century (Central Martyr George, “What’s Behind”, Kaluga) The oldest known image of L. is in the Kaluga Cathedral Church. Vmch. George “what’s behind the horse” (1700-1701); V. G. Putsko dates it to the 3rd quarter. XVII century, but sees in it the features of mid-century painting (Pucko. 1993. S. 531-534. Il. 6). Perhaps this image (91×47) is a tombstone that appeared after the renovation of the shrine in the 50s. XVII century (stylistically close to the works of this time), or its repetition. According to archim. Leonid (Kavelin), in 1750, under Archimandrite. Cyprian, a forged silver frame was made for the tombstone (not preserved, the inscription on the frame: “This frame chasuble was built with the labor and diligence of the city of Kaluga merchants and other investors, in the summer of 1750, February 10, under Archimandrite Cyprian, renewed in 1786 "; the salary was updated later). What the ancient tombstone image looked like can be judged from the description of the frame: L. was presented full-length, probably frontally, with an unfolded scroll in his hand (Leonid (Kavelin). 1906. p. 45). This description in general terms corresponds to the translation of the icon from c. Vmch. George “what’s on horseback”, which shows a complete and iconographically complete image of L.: barefoot in a canvas shirt and ports, in an open sheepskin coat thrown over his shoulders, in his left hand he has an unfolded scroll and an axe, his right hand is pressed to his chest in a prayerful gesture. Light thick hair is raised in separate strands, the beard is long, chest-length. The ground depicts a desert area with trees. An image of the Savior Not Made by Hands is placed above the saint’s head (perhaps as a reminder of the image located above the tomb). On the top field there is the inscription: “Holy righteous Christ for the sake of the holy fool Lawrence.” Text on the scroll: “By the mercy of God and the prayers of this holy righteous Christ, for the sake of the Foolish Lawrence, we helped the Grand Duke Semyon Ioannovich of Kaluga, and before us, the prince appeared in the house to announce victory.”

This iconographic version of L.’s image was not only reproduced several times, but was also included as a description of the saint’s appearance in the iconographic original: “Like russian hair, debts, disheveled, long hair, forked at the end. I wear a fur coat and go barefoot in a suitcase” (Filimonov. Iconographic original. P. 66). In the same original, a second version of the image of the saint is mentioned: naked, with a fur coat thrown over his shoulders, but the icons of this version are unknown: “Sed, like Vlasiev’s brada, forked at the end, at the head of the plate, completely naked, fur coat on his shoulders” (There same). Likening sshmch. Blaise of Sevastia is found in the Strogonov explanatory icon-painting original (late 18th century) with the addition of “all naked”, “in the ports” to the description; it also indicates “the right hand is a prayer service, in the left there is a tapor” (BAN. Strict. No. 66. L. 135; the same with the addition of “on the head of the plates” in the RKP. BAN. Strict. No. 64. L. 137 vol.).

Blzh. Lavrenty Kaluzhsky. Engraving. 1892

Blzh. Lavrenty Kaluzhsky. Engraving. 1892

In the 18th century the nature of L.'s image (clothes and type of face) did not change, but the frontal images of the saint, as on the icon in c. Vmch. George's "what's behind" are no longer found. In a 3/4 turn in prayer to the Savior, L. is presented on the right field of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, painted in Kaluga by Roman Rodionov (1703, State Historical Museum; signature: “Holy Fool Lawrence of Koluga”; on the left field is the image of St. Tikhon of Yaroslavl ). In the wall painting of the Kaluga Church of the Great Martyr. George “What’s Behind the Horse”, made in 1766-1767, the image of L. is placed on the slope of the north window. walls of the temple, on the opposite slope - book. Semyon Kaluzhsky.

By 1st half. XIX century Changes appear in the iconography of the saint caused by the veneration of L. not only as a blessed one, but also as the founder of the Laurentian Kaluga monastery in honor of the Ascension of the Lord. So, on the icon from the Tikhvin chapel c. St. St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on Kozinka in Kaluga (late 18th century). L. is depicted next to the mon-rem; shows the buildings of the monastery after reconstruction in 1790 (110×58 cm; Putsko. 1993. S. 536. Il. 7). In the hands of the saint is a scroll, on which the inscription is reproduced, known from the ancient icon of L. from c. Vmch. George "what's behind the horse." A similar image is presented on the icon of the con. XIX century from c. St. St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on Kozinka (13.6×11.2 cm; framed; see: Ibid. Il. 9).

On some icons the 2nd floor. XIX century L.'s image has lost the characteristic features of iconography: instead of a fur coat, he is wearing a monk's robe, and around his neck is a white scarf tied in a knot. This is how L. is depicted on the mentioned icon. XIX century from c. St. St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on Kozinka. On the icon “Saints Lawrence and Tikhon of Kaluga in prayer to the Most Holy. Mother of God of Kaluga" (19th century, KHM) and on the field of the icon "The Ascension of the Lord" by the Moscow master A. S. Rogozhkin (painted by order of the Kaluga city council in 1870; KHM) the composition of clothes and the position of L.'s hands change: he is depicted without attributes , arms folded crosswise on the chest. On a number of icons L. is represented as St. Artemy Verkolsky, in white trousers and a shirt, with an ax on his shoulders, without a fur coat and robe (Putsko. 1993. S. 536. Il. 8).

At the same time, images of the saint are preserved, adhering to the ancient model. These include the 1st floor icon. XIX century (TsAK MDA), in which the saint is presented in a desert area, on the bank of a river, wearing a fur coat thrown over his shoulders, with an ax in his hands. The icon is small (24.4x20.2 cm) and probably belongs to monastic images intended for offerings and blessings. On the back there is an inscription: “God’s blessing // to the most venerable Praskovya // Karpovna Kologriva with wishes and prayers for her prosperity // and long life // Nikolai Bishop of Kaluga // and Borovsky. // ...year // ...on the 23rd day.” P.K. Kologrivova, who came from a boyar family, whose representative received healing at the tomb of the miracle worker, was probably one of the regular donors of the monastery (Nechaeva. 2004. P. 188. Ill. on p. 189).

XIX century the one-of-a-kind icon “Saints Tikhon and Lawrence of Kaluga, Paphnutius Borovsky with the Trinity and scenes of miracles at the relics of Lawrence” (KMRI) is dated with a unique composition of marks of posthumous miracles of L., known from the monastery manuscript (Leonid (Kavelin). 1865. P. 5). L. is presented in the middle of the icon, in the traditional. form - in ports and fur coats. Composition of the stamps: 1. Deliverance of the city of Kaluga from the invasion of the Hagarians. 2. Old Testament Trinity. 3. Healing of the relaxed boyar Andrei Kologrivov. 4. Healing the demoniac. 5. Healing of a blind wife. 6. Healing of a young man from a leg disease. 7. Healing of a blind girl. 8. Healing of the possessed. 9. Healing of L. A. Kologrivov’s son Peter. 10. Healing from shaking disease. On the back there is an inscription: “Blessing of the Kaluga mayor May 10, 1887.”

“The miracle of the salvation of Kaluga” became a separate subject for a number of monuments. It was placed on the saint’s shrine (Leonid (Kavelin). 1906. P. 46). An expanded version of the composition with an explanatory inscription is presented on the icon. XVIII - beginning XIX century (KHM; 44×75.5 cm; Putsko. 1993. Il. 10), shortened - in the mark of the mentioned icon with scenes of posthumous miracles (KMRI).

L.'s image was placed on the reverse side of the banner of the Kaluga militia of 1812. The Kaluga miracle worker was represented as “listening to the voice of heaven” (Efimenkova. 2009. P. 229).

Archimandrite's book Leonid (Kavelin) “Historical Description of the Kaluga Laurentian Monastery” (1891) is illustrated with an engraving depicting L. (ill. between pp. 16 and 17). The saint is presented in an unusual way: praying in the forest, his beard is short and scraggly, he is barefoot, wearing a sheepskin coat or an overcoat, wrapped and belted, with an ax lying nearby. With a high degree of probability it can be assumed that this engraving reproduces the image on a miniature of the 18th century. from the handwritten Tale of the Miracles of L. (Archim. Leonid saw this image, but did not leave its description).

Lit.: Leonid (Kavelin), archimandrite. East. description of the Przemysl Trinity Lyutikov Monastery. Kaluga, 1862; aka. Review of handwritten and early printed books in the book depositories of the Kaluga diocese // CHOIDR. 1865. Book. 4. P. 5; aka. East. description of the Kaluga Laurentian Monastery, the current Kaluga bishop's house and the Krestovskaya Church belonging to it. Kaluga, 1891, 1906p; Filimonov. Iconographic original; Tokmakov I. F. Sat. ist. materials for compiling chronicles of the Kaluga bishop. Kaluga, 1889; Zverinsky. 1890. T. 1; Sergius (Spassky). Monthsword. T. 2. P. 210; Malinin I. D. Experience of history. travel in Kaluga. Kaluga, 1992; Putsko V. G. Icons with images of Kaluga saints // Tausend Jahre Taufe Russlands: Russland in Europa. Lpz., 1993. S. 528-538. Il. 6-10; Markelov. Saints Dr. Rus'. T. 2. P. 152; Nechaeva T. N. Blessed Lavrenty of Kaluga // “This work is acceptable in the sight of God...”: Treasures of the Central Accreditation Committee of the MDA. Serg. P., 2004. P. 188. Ill. us. 189; Filaret (Gumilevsky). RSv. 2008 M., pp. 441-442; Efimenkova M.A. Fools for Christ’s sake in the spiritual life of the Kaluga region // Kaluga in the 6th centuries: Materials of the 7th city local historian. conf. 2008 Kaluga, 2009. pp. 226-233.

T. N. Nechaeva

Orthodox Church calendar

Kontakion 1

Chosen by the King of powers, the Lord Jesus, admirable in life and miracles, servant of Christ, Lawrence! We praise you with love, our merciful representative; But you, blessed one, for having boldness towards the Lord, free us with your prayers from all troubles and sorrows, and let us call to you: Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Ikos 1

You were an earthly angel and a heavenly man, blessed Lawrence, who from your youth adopted the foolishness of Christ for your own sake, so that in your temporary life you will be insulted and mocked by everyone, and in a blessed eternity you will receive the heavenly reward. Moreover, as a true saint of God, you hear the following praise from the faithful: Rejoice, born of pious parents; Rejoice, you who were chosen from your youth to serve God. Rejoice, having been mocked by the world and all its charms; Rejoice, you who disobeyed sinful passions. Rejoice, wise pilgrim, who diligently sought the one and only Christ through love; Rejoice, true lover of the poor, walking in one torn robe. Rejoice, for you have endured reproaches and beatings for the sake of the sweet Christ; Rejoice, for through your rage in Christ you have acquired spiritual perfection. Rejoice, you who are hungry and thirsty on earth; Rejoice, thou who art worthily satisfied with the incorruptible food in heaven. Rejoice, O righteous one, shine like the sun in the Kingdom of Heaven; Rejoice, servant of God, glorified by many grace-filled gifts. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 2

Seeing the impermanence of this world, blessed Lawrence, you loved Christ's life for the sake of life, and in the midst of the world, alien to worldly passions, you appeared, and as a good warrior of Christ, you fought victoriously against the enemies of human salvation, silently singing to the heroic Lord Jesus: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

You understood well, blessed Laurence, all the machinations of the enemy the devil, who want to destroy your good will through insults and beatings from evil people. In the same way, you strongly resisted this, and you prayed for your troublemaker, and you taught us to cry out to you: Rejoice, unshakable pillar of patience; Rejoice, wonderful image of kindness. Rejoice, true follower of Christ; Rejoice, you who graciously endured the beatings. Rejoice, you who are careless about reproaches and ridicule; Rejoice, conqueror of human malice through holy love. Rejoice, you who live most peacefully in the world; Rejoice, imitator of angels in the flesh. Rejoice, thou who has gained the wisdom of heaven through the riot of Christ; Rejoice, you who accepted high humility. Rejoice, for through your deeds you have appeared as a lamp to the world; Rejoice, for through your strange life you have glorified God. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 3

Show thee the power of God's autumn, Saint Lawrence, and a strong warrior for Christians against the hordes of the Hagarians, when you delivered the blessed prince Simeon from mortal destruction by your appearance, striking down the adversaries with an ax and turning the unfaithful to flight, while prompting the faithful to lift up the victorious song to Christ God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

You had the fire of Divine love in your heart, blessed Lawrence, and like some fiery Seraphim, you constantly remained in mental prayer, lifting up your heart and soul to the Lord Jesus Christ. In the same way, the Lord has enriched you with wondrous spiritual gifts, so that everyone may cry out to you joyfully: Rejoice, warrior of Christ, do not be obligated by the purchases of this life; Rejoice, most clairvoyant and wondrous, contemplating the future as well as the present. Rejoice, for you delivered your beloved Prince Simeon from mortal beating; Rejoice, for you protected him from the dogs of words. Rejoice, for by your appearance you have frightened the infidel Hagarians and caused them to flee; Rejoice, thou who by the power of the Lord of hosts has granted victory to the faithful. Rejoice, God-given intercessor of your earthly fatherland; Rejoice, good companion to the Orthodox army. Rejoice, victorious commander of the people named after Christ; Rejoice, formidable punisher of the enemies of the Church of Christ. Rejoice, quiet haven for the humble and pious; Rejoice, good helper to those who strive. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 4

The storm of the Hagarian invasion of the city of Kaluga was pacified by you, Saint Lawrence, and the wicked troops of the evil-believing Hagarians were driven away from the flock of Christ with the cold; so for the Lord has given you a great intercessor for your fatherland, in it your name is glorified to this day, and your deeds of gratitude are honored by singing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

We hear your many and wonderful corrections, O righteous man, how you lived a solitary life in God at the Church of the Nativity of Christ, digging the cave path from your cell to that, so that the invisible man made your prayers to God. Teach us this humility, too, reverend, so that we call to you in praise: Rejoice, lover of solitude; Rejoice, many-tearful prayer book. Rejoice, having driven away all pride from your heart; Rejoice, thou who sincerely loves Christ-like humility. Rejoice, your deeds of prayer have been hidden from people; Rejoice, for this sake you skillfully concealed the foolishness of Christ. Rejoice, Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity; Rejoice, contemplator of the Angelic powers. Rejoice, you who walked along the cave path to the temple of God; Rejoice, you who have acquired the narrow space of the Kingdom of Christ. Rejoice, for you passed your days in foolishness, and passed your nights in prayer; Rejoice, for through fasting and vigil you have enlightened your soul. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 5

Having been a godly luminary, you taught Christian piety to your fellow citizens, O all-blessed Lawrence, thus showing the image of an equal life with the angels. Whoever, hearing about your great patience, will not be moved and remember your perfect humility, how, according to the commandment of Christ God, you forgave all those who offended and you sang to Him in deep tenderness: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

We see that you were a man like a fool and a fool, walking through the stacks of hail in torn clothes, scolded by everyone, righteous Lawrence, yet you remained wise in Christ and you showed these miracles by many. Moreover, from pious people, as we are revered as a true saint of God, you have heard the following praise: Rejoice, the words of the Apostle Paul, the hedgehog of foolishness about Christ, a good follower; Rejoice, faithful fulfiller of Christ’s Gospel commandments; Rejoice, you who endured cold and heat for God’s sake; Rejoice, you who hated all carnal rest, may inherit eternal rest. Rejoice, thou strangely alive in the world, that thou hast acquired a higher fatherland; Rejoice, having joyfully received the beating of your body, so that you may be worthy of immortal glory. Rejoice, man of spiritual desires; Rejoice, good worker of the heavenly grapes. Rejoice, you who brought the sweet fruits of your labors to Christ; Rejoice, temporarily deprived of the heavenly wealth you have acquired. Rejoice, zealot of righteous living; Rejoice, honor and purity to the zealot. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 6

You were a preacher of repentance as a sinner and a perspicacious accuser of human iniquities, most blessed Lawrence; For your word brought many to salvation and taught them on the path of correction, you rebuked them with love and called them to true repentance, and you taught them to sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

You have shone like a bright star in the city of Kaluga, servant of God, and you have enlightened your fellow citizens with miracles of grace, and you have gloriously healed many sick people with your prayers, and you have called all the faithful to you: Rejoice, gratuitous physician to the faithful; Rejoice, all-powerful prayer book to the Lord God. Rejoice, your holy hands giving healing to the sick; Rejoice, having given health to the sick with a single touch of your clothes. Rejoice, for you tried to hide your miracles with foolishness; Rejoice, for you have victoriously driven away the temptations of the demons. Rejoice, compassionate and merciful helper to the suffering; Rejoice, loving and merciful comforter of the afflicted. Rejoice, thou who cleave unto God with all thy soul; Rejoice, dearly loving thy neighbor. Rejoice, ever raising prayers for those who offend you; Rejoice, having acquired perfect meekness for yourself. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 7

You had a desire, Saint Lawrence, so that your godly and righteous life would be hidden from people. In the same way, you tried your best to hide this from people through foolishness and you rejoiced at the dishonor and beatings inflicted on you, as if it were a great gift, ever calling out in humility of spirit the song to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

We recognize the new Andrew of Constantinople, blessed Lawrence, the city of Kaluga, who enlightened you with your wondrous foolish life: for you have been given grace from God to know the thoughts of men and to expose secret sins, to spiritually shine upon your fellow citizens and lead them to the paths of repentance and salvation. About this, in praise of you, we sing: Rejoice, for your righteousness has shone in the world with the unwavering light of God’s grace; Rejoice, for your secret struggles have been clearly glorified by God through miracles. Rejoice, imitating the ancient prophets; Rejoice, truly unfaithful seer who has appeared. Rejoice, thou who hast received power over unclean spirits; Rejoice, by your humility you have destroyed all their machinations. Rejoice, having armed yourself powerfully against the devil with fasting and prayer; Rejoice, having trampled down all his pride through poverty and humiliation. Rejoice, citizen of heaven on earth; Rejoice, kind guardian among the rumors of popular silence. Rejoice, thou who hast the earth as a bed of rest; Rejoice, imputed dishonor to honor. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 8

You ended your strange life as a fool, O righteous Lawrence, with a holy death, as a true saint of God, having rested in the Lord, and with your soul you ascended into the heavenly tabernacle of the Kingdom of Christ, and there with the saints of the Most Holy Trinity you were vouchsafed to sing the hymn of praise: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

The whole city of Kaluga was filled with spiritual fragrance at the hour of your death, blessed Lawrence, and your cell, where you rested in the Lord, the world-maker of the fragrance of Christ appeared, to whom people of good faith rejoice, having learned to sing these praiseworthy words to you: Rejoice, for the greatness of miracles in life and after death beaming; Rejoice, having completed your righteous and holy life. Rejoice, for you marked your death with a wonderful fragrance; Rejoice, for you have shown the aromas of heaven to the holiness of your soul. Rejoice, you who joyfully flowed into the sweet aroma of Christ; Rejoice, your incorruptible body, like a spiritual ointment, left to the faithful. Rejoice, you who consecrated the city of Kaluga with your holy relics; Rejoice, joy giver to many. Rejoice, healer of mental and physical ailments; Rejoice, give healing gifts to those near and far. Rejoice, fulfill the requests of those who honor you; Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 9

Your holy place of solitude has appeared to all people for consolation and sanctification, where in the Church of the Nativity of Christ your honest tomb performs many miracles and wonderful miracles by the power of Christ and teaches all the faithful to honor your godly deeds. To God, who glorified you, sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Worldly flair is not sufficient to glorify the miracles that, through the prayer of Blessed Lawrence, are performed and surpass the understanding of human beings, about which we, in humility, are perplexed to praise the saint according to his wealth, but from our zeal we bring him these small, simple praises: Rejoice, saint of God, rest with the saints; Rejoice, chosen one of Christ, show your mercy to the earthly. Rejoice, restoring health to those who are weakened in body; Rejoice, freeing demons from the violence of the devil. Rejoice, you open the ears of the deaf; Rejoice, loosen the lips of the dumb. Rejoice, you have given the lame the right to walk; Rejoice, quickly presenting helper to those in need. Rejoice, gracious consoler of those who mourn; Rejoice, heavenly patron of the city of Kaluga. Rejoice, tireless guardian of your holy monastery; Rejoice, intercessor of all our lands. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 10

Give God's saving grace to everyone, Saint Lawrence, with human ailments and with strong faith, prayerfully flowing to your wholesome image. In the same way, we, falling down, pray to you to heal our ailments, and to ask for forgiveness for our sins, so that we call to the wondrous God in our saints: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Thou art a true servant and saint of the Heavenly King Christ God, O blessed Lawrence, and from Him glorified miracles, manifesting many benefactions to your earthly fatherland, healing the sick, strengthening the paralytic, enlightening the blind. Rejoicing in him, we offer these joyful songs: Rejoice, unflickering star, illuminating the faithful dawn of miracles; Rejoice, bright ray of truth from the sun of Christ. Rejoice, imitator of Spasov's mercy; Rejoice, show your mercy to sick people. Rejoice, visiting faithful souls with grace; Rejoice, in dreams and visions you enlighten the earthly ones with the vision of your face. Rejoice, from the heights on high you come mercifully to those who seek your intercession; Rejoice, wipe away the tears of the suffering. Rejoice, spiritual beauty of the Kaluga region; Rejoice, bright praise of the Churches of Christ. Rejoice, adorned in heaven with the angels and saints with imperishable glory; Rejoice, thou who hast been blessed on earth from the faithful according to duty. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 11

With faith, a certain weakened person brought prayer singing at your grave, motionless hands and noses and a dumb tongue, but when he touched the healing race of your relics, he became healthy, began to walk with his arms and legs, and spoke clearly with his tongue; In the same way, I glorify your mercy towards him and cry out to the Lord with gratitude: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

With the lordship of your miracles, the saint of God, the righteous Lawrence, you illuminate our souls darkened by sins and awaken us all from the sleep of laziness, so that we may bring the fruits of repentance to Christ, imitating you in the labors of pleasing God, so that we can uncondemnally praise you, our representative, with these song verbs: Rejoice, lamp, enlightening everyone with the light of Christ; Rejoice, anoint the painful one with the oil of the mercy of your heart. Rejoice, thou who hast made the bent and motionless hand whole and effective; Rejoice, thou who transformest those who do not walk towards the fast and right current. Rejoice, tongue bound by silence, freed by grace; Rejoice, having been weakened by everyone and restored to health and strength. Rejoice, healing alavastre, containing medicine for all sorts of ailments; Rejoice, show the mercy of your compassion to those who are sick. Rejoice, according to God and the Most Holy Theotokos, do not disgrace those who place their trust in you; Rejoice, reward those who love you and honor your memory with heavenly intercession. Rejoice, speed up prayerfully calling on your holy name for help; Rejoice, grant healing gifts to those who worship with faith and your honest power without envy. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 12

The multi-healing grace of God, flowing from your grave, a certain man took away his son, his legs aching and unable to walk at all, and on his shoulders brought to your healing body, Saint Lawrence, and prayed to you with tears for his healing; and behold, the prayer still existing in his mouth, sick on his nose, began to walk, jumping and thanking God, who was gloriously glorified in you, with grateful lips crying out to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your wondrous deeds and your glorious miracles, O righteous Lawrence, we pray to you, our intercessor: mercifully bow to our humble prayers and offer up your favorable prayers for us to the Lord, asking us from His goodness for gifts beneficial to our spiritual salvation, so that we too may be sinners not only to glorify your exploits, but also to imitate your virtues, calling and saying: Rejoice, bright image of pleasing God to those living in the world; Rejoice, wonderful teacher of those who strive in monasticism. Rejoice, thou who imitate the image of virgins; Rejoice, rule of prosperity for the poor. Rejoice, thou who put to shame the vain wisdom of the world; Rejoice, manifestation of the ferocity in Christ. Rejoice, heir of the Gospel promises; Rejoice, successor of the apostolic healing gifts. Rejoice, interlocutor of the angelic hosts; Rejoice, cohabitant of all saints. Rejoice, heal our bodies freely; Rejoice, pray to the Lord for our souls. Rejoice, blessed Lawrence, miracle worker of Kaluga.

Kontakion 13

Oh, wonderful miracle worker and most merciful intercessor to all of us, holy and blessed Lawrence! Accept with love this little prayer that we bring to you in praise and pray to the Lord God that we will be delivered from fiery hell and eternal torment, and that we may inherit the Kingdom of Heaven with you, so that in the joy of the saints we too, sinners, may sing to God our Savior: Alleluia .

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)