Filaret of Moscow, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, is a famous religious figure and theologian. He was canonized as a saint in 1994. The prayer of Philaret of Moscow is considered one of the most powerful for those who have lost faith in traditional medicine. By turning to the saint, many people received healing.
Memorial Days:
- June 5 – Cathedral of Rostov-Yaroslavl Saints;
- June 28 (movable) – Cathedral of St. Petersburg Saints;
- October 18 – Cathedral of Moscow Saints;
- December 2nd.
Life of Philaret of Moscow
Vasily Drozdov (the future Filaret of Moscow) was born on December 26, 1782 in Kolomna into the family of a deacon. He received an excellent education. Rare natural inclinations were complemented by diligence and perseverance. Even during his studies, the saint became a favorite of Moscow Metropolitan Plato, who recognized in him a special gift for preaching and insight.
Having become the rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, Saint Philaret began to compile a detailed Orthodox Catechism, which is still considered the best. This is what students study in theological schools.
From a young age (largely thanks to his sermons), Saint Philaret became known not only among clergy, but also at court. His activities concerned almost all aspects of social life. This is evidenced by his creative heritage: a collection of essays, theological works and sermons.
The best period in the history of the Moscow diocese is considered to be the time when it was ruled by Metropolitan Philaret. He was able to create an exemplary diocesan structure, where the canonical foundations of the church were combined with truly Christian love for the clergy and parishioners.
In 1819, the saint became a member of the Synod, and from that time on, not a single important decision was made without him. No wonder he was called “wise.”
The famous “Code” for the abolition of serfdom was drawn up with the active participation of the saint. Emperors Nicholas I and Alexander II often turned to him for advice and blessings.
But, despite his tireless activity, the main things in the life of the Metropolitan remained fasting, prayer and worship. So, for 100 days he toured all the parishes of the huge Tver diocese with its churches and monasteries and performed divine services in each with the obligatory sermon.
The relics of the saint are located in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
What is Fenelon famous for?
Francois de Salignac Fenelon
He was a Catholic archbishop, but even within the Catholic Church the attitude towards him was contradictory. Rome considered one of his books, “Explanations of the Sayings of Saints Concerning the Inner Life,” to be not entirely consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church and even condemned it.
Fenelon's teaching is close to a school of thought called quietism (from the Latin quies - “rest, peace”). The core idea of the French bishop was that a person should learn not to desire anything of his own, but only what God wants. The starting point for Fenelon’s thoughts was the question: how can we unselfishly love God if we receive everything from Him? As a result, he came to the conclusion: genuine, pure love for God is one that does not become less, even if God decides to send a person to hell. Any reflection of a person over his action is already selfish, Fenelon believed: the ideal for a Christian, from his point of view, is to forget himself, to become a simple “conductor” of the will of God, as if to “dissolve” in the Divine Person.
These conclusions confused the Catholic cardinals, and it is clear why: Christianity does not at all preach the dissolution of the human personality in God (this is the specificity of some eastern religions, for example, Hinduism). On the contrary, Christians talk about the upcoming deification of man, about the establishment of real, full, deep communication between man and his Creator. But real communication is possible only between individuals.
However, Fenelon still did not talk about the complete dissolution of man in God, so Rome found no reason to accuse him of heresy. The Roman Curia condemned the book, but not Fenelon himself. Until his death, he continued to remain an archbishop and at times even enjoyed the favor of the Pope.
In what cases do they pray to Philaret of Moscow?
During the life of the saint, his prayers had miraculous power. One day, a deacon whose daughter was seriously ill came to the metropolitan. Through the prayers of the saint, she miraculously recovered. And this is just one of many similar cases of miraculous recovery.
The prayer of Philaret of Moscow for every day is especially popular among Orthodox believers. It is read in order to thank the Almighty for everything. It does not contain requests for various benefits, because the Lord knows better than us what we need at one time or another in life.
Philaret of Moscow is prayed to in the following cases:
- in mental and physical illnesses;
- if it is impossible to find your path in life;
- if you wish to repent of your sins.
Prayer on the day of remembrance of the millennium of Russia
“Lord God, King of the ages, speak about the tongue and the kingdom and create and plant them! Falling before Your Majesty with fear and reverence, we gratefully confess Your mercies, which have been manifested in many parts and in many ways over ten centuries to the people and the kingdom of Russia.
For You, Lord, have spoken Your creative word on this people, and You have created a kingdom in them, and You have planted, and rooted, and increased, and You have expanded it into the lands of its habitation, and You have placed real power over it from You, and You strengthened him against those who opposed him, and you protected him with laws, but most of all, you enlightened and inspired him with saving faith, and even if sometimes you visited his unrighteousness with a rod, but you did not remove your mercy and do not move away from us.
We glorify You, Lord, Lord and Benefactor, we praise, thank, sing and magnify, and, from Your very bounty in faith and hope, confirmation and boldness before You is acceptable, we humbly pray: preserve the throne and kingdom of the Most Pious Autocratic Great Sovereign Emperor Alexander Nikolaevich of all Russia in true greatness, strength and glory.
Forgive, O all-merciful Lord, all our sins and our Father, and direct our steps to the doing of Thy commandments.
Keep the Orthodox faith in us in its purity and strength, and may it remain, as it were, the focus of social unity, the source of enlightenment, the foundation and stronghold of national good morals, the truth of laws, the beneficence of government, the inviolability of well-being.
May the ancient planting of goodness not wither and wither, but may a new stem of the best be grafted onto it, and may a new flower of splendor and the fruit of perfection come forth.
So look upon us and be generous to us, so that we may be blessed by You, from day to day and from century to century we bless You, Lord.
Glory to Thee God, our Benefactor, forever and ever. Amen".
After this prayer the following text is read:
“To those who enlightened Russia with the Christian Orthodox faith, Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir and Grand Duchess Olga, who successively over the centuries created and strengthened the autocracy of Russia by the Blessed Tsar and Grand Duke, who newly created the Russian kingdom and expanded and glorified it in God, to the deceased Most Pious Emperors and Empresses, eternal memory.
To all the chosen sons of Russia, who for centuries faithfully fought for its unity, good and glory, in the fields of piety, enlightenment, governance and victorious defense of the Fatherland, eternal memory.
Having laid times and seasons in Your hand, Lord, by Your wise all-good Providence, preserved and restored to the All-Russian kingdom for a thousand years, add to Your great mercy and preserve it in faith and truth, in God’s law and well-being for many years and centuries.”
Texts of prayers to Philaret of Moscow
Troparion, tone 4
You have acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit, / to the God-wise Saint Philaret, / you preached truth and righteousness to people with an enlightened mind, / you showed peace and mercy to the tender hearts / to the suffering, / As a teacher of the faith and a vigilant guardian / You preserved the Russian flock with the rod of justice. / For this reason Having boldness towards Christ God,/ pray to grant the Church affirmation,// and salvation for our souls.
Translation: Having found the grace of the Holy Spirit, God-wise Saint Philaret, you preached truth and righteousness to enlightened people with reason, you showed peace and mercy to the contrite hearts of the suffering, as a teacher of faith and a vigilant guardian of the Russian flock, you preserved the Russian flock with the rod of righteousness (Ps. 44:7). Therefore, having boldness towards Christ God, pray to grant the Church strength and salvation to our souls.
Kontakion, tone 2
As a true imitator of St. Sergius,/ You loved virtue from early childhood,/ God-blessed Philareta./ As a righteous shepherd and an immaculate confessor,/ at the holy repose/ from the godless. You accepted reproach and reproach, / God glorified you with signs and miracles // and the protector of the Church ours reveal.
Translation: As a true follower of St. Sergius, you have loved virtue from your youth, God-blessed Philaret. As a righteous shepherd and blameless confessor, after your holy dormition you accepted reproach and reproach from the atheists, but God glorified you with signs and wonders and showed you to be the defender of our Church.
Prayer to Saint Philaret of Moscow
Oh, most glorious and God-wise Saint of Christ Philaret, lamp of the Russian Church, praise to our earth and adornment to the city of Moscow! You, by your life and service, were like the three universal saints: To the Great Basil - as you explained the existence of beings, to the Church of God and the mysteries of Christ the good builder appeared You were a zealous executor and patron of monastic rules; To the theologian Gregory - as if you were worthy of non-mysterious contemplations about the Holy Trinity and God’s Word, you appeared as a skillful herald of these; To John Chrysostom - as you were a tireless preacher and teacher of repentance for the people of God. And now, together with them, standing in glory to the Throne of God and interceding for us, we pray: To the Russian Church on the rock of confession of the Orthodox faith, to be more firmly established, to grant peace and unity to our country , shepherd the word of Divine Truth to rule, the city of Moscow and your flock from all misfortunes save. The holy monastery, where your honorable relics rest, according to the behest of St. Sergius, as his disciple, rule well; Strengthen the monks in their labors; make your mentors wise; Make those called to pastoral work, learning faith and piety in your spiritual city, chosen and worthy of this service. Look down from Heaven, O Saint, upon us, your children, and grant through your warm intercession to the Lord in His commandments that we may excel in firm faith, unfeigned love and piety until the last hour of death. Let us preserve ourselves, so that we may unashamedly present ourselves to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is with the Father and by the Holy Spirit is due glory, honor and worship, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Daily prayer of St. Philaret of Moscow
God! I don’t know what to ask from You. You alone know what I need. You love me more than I can love myself. Father! Grant to Your servant what I myself do not dare ask for. I do not dare to ask for either a cross or consolation: I only stand before You. My heart is open to You; You see needs that I don't know. See and create according to Your mercy. Smite and heal, overthrow and raise me. I am in awe and silent before Your Holy Will and Your destinies, incomprehensible to me. I sacrifice myself to You. I surrender to You. I have no other desire than the desire to fulfill Your Will. Teach me to pray! Pray within me yourself. Amen.
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History of Prayer
The Bishop held services in the temple and received a stream of parishioners and petitioners. He compiled spiritual instructions and state documents, and wrote theological works.
In his works he covered various problems:
- principles and foundations of maintaining statehood;
- relations with the Catholic West;
- issues of veneration of saints;
- the task of establishing Orthodox morality in society;
- other problems.
The saint was also involved in hymnographic creativity - he was once a “teacher of poetry.”
The prayers he composed have survived to this day:
- a prisoner in prison;
- on the day of the millennium of Russia;
- daily prayer to the Lord.
Created by the author
Filaret created a prayer in which the person praying does not ask for anything and wants only one thing - to fulfill the holy will of the Creator.
It is known that it was compiled for Empress Maria Alexandrovna.
The instructive words with which the text begins (“Lord, I don’t know what to ask of you”) can bring spiritual benefit to every person.
How I helped people
With the help of this miraculous prayer, the saint asks the Lord to end the cholera epidemic. Filaret had no doubt about the capabilities of medicine, but he trusted the Creator more, which is why he begged him for mercy for the residents of Moscow.
People who had lost hope and faith in traditional methods of treatment went to the saint for blessings and prayer for salvation. Filaret's appeal to God worked miracles.
There are known cases confirming the power of prayer:
- A deacon came to him. His daughter was seriously ill. Filaret offered to pray for her together. Returning home, the clergyman realized that there had been improvements in the child’s condition. The threat of the girl's death has passed.
- A Moscow merchant injured his arm, doctors suggested amputating it. The merchant's wife turned to the Metropolitan. Filaret administered Communion to the sick man and ordered a magpie for his health. The patient dreamed of the saint in a dream, and in the morning the condition of his hand improved and the operation was canceled.
Significance in history
The prayer of St. Philaret has very great religious significance. The saint tried to show people the need for faith in the Lord, lead them to understand the essence of Christianity and open their eyes to the greatness of the Creator.
Our soul is essentially an inhabitant of the Divine world. Everyday problems and addictions lead her down to the earthly. Solving life's problems, struggling with incurable diseases of the body, one must seek a meeting with God, with His love.
The well-known prayer of gratitude to the Lord helps to bring the soul closer and connect with God. It must be read during church services.
In Philaret’s holy prayer there are the words “I have no other desire than the desire to fulfill Your will.” In them, the humble soul of a monk is fully revealed, wanting only one thing - to fulfill the will of the Creator, and not daring to ask for anything more.
Monastic life
In 1808, Vasily Drozdov decides to renounce worldly life and takes monastic vows with the name Filaret. Immediately after this, he was elevated to the rank of hierodeacon, intending to spend his subsequent life in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. But fate decreed otherwise; he was appointed instructor of philosophy at the St. Petersburg Academy. In addition, Father Filaret taught church history. Later, having received the rank of hieromonk, he began his preaching work. Soon, Father Filaret became known even on the outskirts of the city and in the circles of high society. Three years later, Hieromonk Filaret revealed himself as a professor of theology and took the position of rector of the academy, combining all this with the activity of a writer. After winning the battle with Napoleon, he composed a prayer text for the salvation of the Motherland.
In 1820, Father Filaret was transferred to Yaroslavl and a little later to Moscow, where five years later he received the high, well-deserved spiritual title of Metropolitan. His body rests in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
Personal characteristics
Filaret of Moscow was very educated and left behind many works - theological and not only. He translated the akathist to the Mother of God, composed interpretations of the psalms and the book of Genesis. At the same time, he managed not to become proud and to preserve the truly evangelical spirit.
The saint always remained principled and did not like to compromise in order to please someone. For the Church, for the preservation of monasticism, he did a lot - as best he could, he supported Optina Hermitage, which at that time had not yet become famous. He could even speak out sharply against the monarch if it went against Christian principles. He acted as his conscience dictated, did not seek personal gain, did not take sides, knowing only one boss - Christ.
Perhaps this is precisely what irritated his ill-wishers, of whom there were many. But they could not influence the people's memory, in which he remained forever.
Biography
Born into a family where all ancestors held sacred rank. Vasily was sent to the seminary, then went to study at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. He studied well and was hired as a teacher immediately after graduation. The young man decides to become a monk, after which he is ordained a priest. Fate brings him to St. Petersburg.
In 1821, Filaret became Moscow Metropolitan. Many prayed about this, because he was very loved among the people for his holiness of life and kindness. During his ministry he accomplished many useful things for the Holy Church.
- Built and restored a large number of temples.
- He was awarded the right to wear two panagias (most bishops have only one).
- Founded about 10 monasteries in Moscow and the region, from 1823 to 1866.
- Known for having entered into a poetic correspondence with Pushkin.
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Began translating the Holy Scriptures into Russian. The Church Slavonic translation, in his opinion, was difficult to understand not only for the people, but also for many of the clergy.
Unfortunately, this work was never completed, because many did not like the fact that the Metropolitan had communication with representatives of the Bible Society. It was closed due to slanderous denunciation.
Romanovs. Empress Maria Alexandrovna
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We are not talking about Maria Feodorovna (the mother of Nicholas II, she had six children, her second son Alexander died 11 months old. If he had remained alive, the fate of Russia could have been completely different. I’m still not going to describe in detail the influence of each of the kings of the House The Romanovs on the fate of the last Russian Tsar and the monarchy).
We need to pray to Empress Maria Alexandrovna, the wife of Alexander II.
(The far right is a portrait of E.A. Dolgorukova - “Her Majesty the Empress-Bride.” Most Serene Princess Yurievskaya; second, morganatic, wife of Emperor Alexander II; before that, from 1866, his mistress. “Do not judge, lest you be judged” .)
She is not canonized. But on Athos a book is kept of healings and fulfillment of what was asked of her in prayers to the Lord while remembering her name in morning prayers: “Lord, Lord, You are righteous and Your judgment is righteous. With faith and trust in Your goodness, we resort to Your, O Most Generous Jesus, ineffable mercy and in the tenderness of our hearts we pray to You, Lord: for now and today, this is the word of pardon, the word of remission of sins to Your beloved servant, EMPRESS MARY Alexandrovna, who has since passed away, so that she may be spiritually healed. and may he dwell in a brighter place, in a place of peace, where there is no illness, no sorrow, no sighing, and may her illnesses and illnesses, tears of suffering and sorrow be used there as a source of joy about the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In the church, when submitting notes for repose, write her name (Empress Maria Alexandrovna) among other names, and when the priest pronounces her name from your note, mentally address your request to her.
Not many knew that, not yet being an empress, Maria Alexandrovna, by the will of God, born on the day of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, was incurably ill with her heart and lungs, bearing her heavy Cross all her life. But even so, she performed many charitable deeds, continuing the glorious traditions of the All-Russian Empresses.
Let's not forget that not a single Empress was subjected to such horrific terror in Russia.
To survive six attempts on the life of the August spouse, to live in anxiety for the Tsar and the crowned children for 14 long years, from the moment of the first shot by D.V. Karakozov on April 4 (17), until the explosion in the dining room of the Winter Palace in February 1880, which claimed 11 lives - this only a few are destined to survive!
According to the maid of honor Countess A.A. Tolstoy, “the poor health of the Empress finally deteriorated after the assassination attempt on April 2, 1879 (Arranged by the populist A.K. Solovyov - approx. A.R.). She never recovered after that. Just like now, I see her on that day - with feverishly shining eyes, broken, desperate. “There’s no point in living anymore,” she told me, “I feel like this is killing me.”
But most of all, the Lord tested her humility when Alexander II settled his mistress, Princess Ekaterina Dolgorukova, on the second floor of the Winter Palace, in which the August Family lived, who bore him four children there (one boy died). This was known to everyone, as was the fact that he spent all his free time with this second “family”.
The spoiled nobility whispered and winked when they saw the empress next to the tsar at official receptions. Dolgorukova was always among them.
Moreover, while walking with children in hot weather around the Winter Palace, she stopped in front of the open window of the empress’s room and loudly told them: “Nothing, children, she will die and I will become the queen, and you will become the grand dukes.” .
Seeing all this, as well as Maria Alexandrovna’s amazing humility, her second son, the future Emperor Alexander III, called her to prayer. They read akathists aloud (including “The Passion of the Lord,” in which the queen found consolation and help. Later, when Alexander III’s heir, Tsarevich Nicholas, was born, he stood with them in prayer. Hence the deep faith of Nicholas II, his humility and submission to the will of God.
When the Tsarevich turned 12 years old, Maria Alexandrovna went to the Lord.
But he and his father continued their prayer rule until the end of their days.
The unconditional humility of Empress Maria Alexandrovna was passed on to her grandson, our holy Tsar Nicholas II.
As well as non-judgment, good spirits under any circumstances, love for people and for Russia, meekness, gentleness and a heightened sense of responsibility for the fate of the people entrusted to him.
Empress Maria Alexandrovna accomplished the most important feat of her life - she strengthened the throne of the dynasty with numerous August heirs.
She gave birth to the Sovereign Alexander II Nikolaevich, whom she adored, eight crowned children: six sovereign sons and two crowned ones. The Lord destined her to outlive two of them in 1849 and 1865 - the August daughter Alexandra (1842-1849) and the heir Tsarevich Nicholas (1843-1865).
Upon the death of her August mother-in-law, Empress Alexandra I Feodorovna, on October 20 (November 2), 1860, the Empress headed the huge charitable Department of the Mariinsky gymnasiums and educational institutions. She was destined to open the first Red Cross department in Russia and a number of the largest military hospitals during the Russian-Turkish War of 1877–1878.
With the support of the progressive public and the active personal assistance of K. D. Ushinsky, she prepared several notes on the reform of primary and female education in Russia for Emperor Alexander II Nikolaevich.
The Empress founded countless shelters, almshouses and boarding houses.
She marked the beginning of a new period of women's education in Russia, with the establishment of open all-class women's educational institutions (gymnasiums), which, according to the regulations of 1860, it was decided to open in all cities where it would be possible to ensure their existence.
Under her, women's gymnasiums in Russia were supported almost exclusively by public and private funds. From now on, it was not only the Highest patronage, but social forces that largely determined the fate of women's education in Russia. Teaching subjects were divided into compulsory and optional.
Compulsory classes in three-year gymnasiums included: the Law of God, the Russian language, Russian history and geography, arithmetic, penmanship, and handicrafts. In the course of women's gymnasiums, in addition to the above subjects, the basics of geometry, geography, history, as well as “the most important concepts in natural history and physics with the addition of information related to household management and hygiene,” penmanship, needlework, and gymnastics were required. Girls who were awarded gold or silver medals at the end of the gymnasium course of general studies, and who, in addition, attended a special special course of an additional class, acquired the title of home tutors. Those who did not receive medals received a “certificate of approval” for completing a full general course in a gymnasium and attended a special course in an additional class, and enjoyed the rights of home teachers.
The transformative activities of Empress Maria Alexandrovna also affected her education in institutions.
On the personal initiative of the Empress, measures were taken not only to protect the health and physical strength of children, by eliminating from their range of activities everything that has a purely mechanical, unproductive nature (drawing and copying notes that replaced printed manuals, etc.), but also to bringing pupils closer to their family and to the environment surrounding the parental home, for which they were allowed to go to the homes of their parents and immediate relatives during vacations and holidays.
At the thought and initiative of the Empress, women's diocesan schools began to emerge for the first time in Russia.
In the field of charity, the Empress’s most important merit is the organization of the Red Cross, to expand the activities of which during the Russian-Turkish War she put a lot of work and expense, refusing even to sew new dresses for herself, giving all her savings to the benefit of widows, orphans, the wounded and the sick.
The “restoration of Christianity in the Caucasus”, “distribution of spiritual and moral books”, “Russian missionary”, “brotherly loving in Moscow” and many other charitable institutions owe their development and success to the patronage of Empress Maria Alexandrovna.
And finally, the Empress, with the full support of her August husband, founded the largest theater and ballet school in St. Petersburg and all of Russia, which was later headed by Agrippina Vaganova. At the same time, both the school and the famous theater were entirely supported by the funds of the Imperial Family, the Empress personally, and, at the insistence of her August husband, Emperor Alexander II, bore her name. The theater still bears the sovereign name. A bust of Empress Maria Alexandrovna was recently installed in the foyer of the theater.
From the first hour of Princess Mary’s sovereign service on Russian soil, her burden was so voluminous and all-encompassing that the Empress spent countless amounts of energy to keep up everywhere, not to be late, to give gifts, to smile, to console, to encourage, to pray, to instruct, to answer, to caress and: sing a lullaby. She burned like a candle in the wind!
To her maid of honor and teacher, confidant, Anna Tyutcheva, the Tsesarevna, and later the Empress of All Russia, Empress Maria Alexandrovna, admitted with a tired smile more than once that she lived most of her life as a “volunteer” - that is, a voluntary soldier!
Not a moment of rest or peace, moral or physical.
Only an ardent feeling of reverent, selfless love for her husband, the Emperor, and an equally strong feeling of true faith, which at times delighted even people who were originally Orthodox, including: the confessor of the Imperial Family V. Ya Bazhanov and the famous Holy Hierarch of Moscow, Metropolitan Philaret Drozdov (), supported the rapidly depleted fragile forces of the Empress. Yes, the prayer of humility that she performs daily together with her son Alexander and grandson Niki.
It is known that the Empress was extremely God-loving and generous, humble and meek. In her sovereign position, she was the only Empress in the Russian state for almost 20 years!
She was kept on earth only by constant good spirits and that “unsolved mystery of living charm”, which the observant diplomat and poet Tyutchev so subtly noted in her. The powerful charm of her personality spread to everyone who loved and knew her, but over the years there were fewer and fewer of them!
But the trials, on the contrary, did not diminish in the life of the High Royal Person, surrounded by the close attention of hundreds of picky eyes. One of these difficult trials for Her Majesty Empress Maria was the presence in the Empress’s personal retinue of a young, charming lady-in-waiting, Princess Ekaterina Mikhailovna Dolgorukaya (1847-1922), with whom the much-adored sovereign husband, the ruler of the vast Russian Empire, desperately, dizzyingly and quickly fell in love.
Empress Maria Alexandrovna knew everything, because she was too smart and impressionable to deceive herself, but she could not do anything, and she did not want to... She suffered for all fourteen years of this scandalous relationship - silently, patiently, without lifting an eyebrow, without showing any sign. This was her humility and heartache. Not everyone understood or accepted this. Especially the matured August children, and the sovereign sons, who literally idolized their mother!
Maybe that’s why the Lord granted her posthumous prayer for Orthodox people turning to her for help.
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