December 7. Saint Ambrose of Milan, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Memory

Ambrose
(340 - 397), Bishop of Milan, church writer, saint Memory of December 7

Born in 340 in the family of the Roman governor of Gaul. Even in the saint’s childhood, miraculous omens of his great future were revealed. So, one day bees covered the face of a sleeping baby and flew away after leaving honey on his tongue.

After the death of his father, Ambrose's family moved to Rome, where the future saint and his brother Satyr received a legal education that was brilliant for those times. Around 370, after completing his course of science, Ambrose was appointed governor of the regions (consular prefect) of Liguria and Emilia, but lived in Mediolan. In 374, Bishop Auxentius of Mediolan (now Milan) died, and this led to strife between the Orthodox and Arians, since each side wanted to install its own bishop. Ambrose, as the first mayor, went to the church to maintain order. As he addressed the crowd, a child suddenly shouted: “Ambrose is a bishop!” The cry was echoed by the people. Ambrose, who at that time was still among the catechumens, considering himself unworthy, began to refuse. He even tried to falsely disgrace himself, tried to escape from Mediolan. The matter came to the attention of Emperor Valentinian I (364 - 375), whose order Ambrose did not dare to disobey. He received holy baptism from an Orthodox priest and, having gone through all the levels of the church hierarchy in seven days, on December 7, 374, he was ordained Bishop of Milan and immediately distributed all his property, money and estate to decorate churches, feed orphans and beggars, and himself turned to a strict ascetic life.

Ambrose combined severe abstinence, long vigils and labors with the performance of the duties of a shepherd. Saint Ambrose, defending the unity of the Church, energetically opposed the spread of heresies. Thus, in 379 he managed to install an Orthodox bishop in Sirmium, and in 385-386 he refused to transfer the basilica of Milan to the Arians.

The preaching of Saint Ambrose in defense of Orthodoxy had a profound impact. This was testified to by the famous father of the Western Church, Blessed Augustine, who received holy baptism in 387 under the influence of the sermon of Bishop Milan.

The saint also took an active part in state affairs.
Thus, Gratian, having received from him a statement of the Orthodox faith, removed, at the direction of the saint, from the Senate hall in Rome the altar of Victoria, on which oaths were taken. Filled with pastoral boldness, the saint imposed severe penance on Theodosius I (379-395) for the extermination of the innocent inhabitants of the city of Thessalonica. For him there was no difference between the king and the commoner: having allowed Theodosius from penance, the saint did not allow the emperor to receive communion at the altar, but forced him to stand with the entire flock. The fame of Bishop Ambrose and his deeds attracted many followers from other countries to him. From distant Persia, learned sages came to him to find the Truth. Fritigilda, the queen of the warlike Germanic tribe of the Marcomanni, who often attacked Milan, asked the saint to instruct her in the Christian faith. The saint, in a letter to her, convincingly outlined the dogmas of the Church. The believing queen converted her husband to Christianity and convinced him to conclude a peace treaty with the Roman Empire.

The saint combined severity with extraordinary kindness. Endowed with the gift of miracles, he healed many from illnesses. Once in Florence, while staying in the house of Decent, he resurrected a dead boy.

He died in 397, on Easter night. His death was accompanied by many miracles; he appeared in a vision to children who were baptized that same night. The saint was buried in the basilica in Mediolan, under the altar, between the martyrs Protasius and Gervasius.

Saint Ambrose received particular fame as a remarkable church writer. In dogmatic works, he defended the Orthodox teaching about the Holy Trinity, the sacraments and repentance (5 books on faith; Explanation of the Creed; On the Incarnation; 3 books on the Holy Spirit; On the sacraments; 2 books on repentance).

In his writings on Christian morality, he revealed the superiority of Christian moral teaching over the moral teaching of pagans. The saint's famous work, “On the Duties of the Clergy,” testifies to his deep awareness of his pastoral duty; it contains instructions not only on the conduct of church services, but also moral instructions to the ministers of the Church.

Saint Ambrose was also a reformer of church singing. He introduced into the Western Church antiphonal chant on the Syrian model, known as the “Ambrosian chant”; composed 12 hymns that were performed during his lifetime. Perhaps he also composed the solemn hymn of thanksgiving “We Praise Thee God,” which was included in the divine service of the Orthodox Church.

early years

The future Bishop of Milan was born around 340. His parents, residents of the German city of Trevira, were rich and noble citizens, Christians. Their relative, sister Soteria, suffered for her religion during the persecution of Christians and was canonized.

There is a legend that in childhood, a swarm of bees covered the baby’s face, without harming him, but leaving sweet nectar on his lips. So the Lord anointed the mouth of His chosen one, blessing him to preach the word of God.

The boy was only 12 years old when his father died, for this reason the family moved to live in Rome, where the young man acquired an excellent legal education. The young lawyer begins his career in 370, working as an adviser in the prefecture of Sirmium. His immediate superior, Prefect Proba, also converted to Christianity and treated his assistant in a fatherly manner.

Bishop Ambrose of Milan

Under the patronage of his mentor, in 373 the future priest of Mediolana was appointed prefect of this city, taking an active part in the life of the Christian movement.

AMBROSIY

The source of information about A.’s life is, first of all, his creations, among which the letters dating from the period from 379 to 396 are of greatest importance. A.’s Life, written in 412-413. his last secretary, St. Paulinus of Milan at the request of the Blessed. Augustine, is completely trustworthy, since the author used information received from people close to A. (his sister Marcellina and other “most trustworthy people”). Of great importance are also the “Church Histories” of Rufinus, Socrates, Sozomen and especially Blessed. Theodoret of Cyrus. Created on the basis of the last Greek. lives, one of which is attributed to St. Simeon Metaphrastus (10th century), have a historical perspective. secondary meaning, as well as anonymous lat. life of the 9th century

A.'s date of birth is established by his own testimony that he reached the age of 53 at the time of certain turbulent events in the empire (Ep. 59.4). Relating these words to the state. The coup organized by Arbogast (392), the birth of A. is usually dated to 339 (Dassmann. S. 362 - also called 330, 334 and 337). A.'s parents came from Rome and belonged to aristocratic families with ancient Christian traditions. traditions: among his relatives, along with the consuls, was St. the virgin Sotiria, who accepted martyrdom during persecution under the emperor. Diocletians (Exhort. virg. 12.82). His father, Aurelius Ambrose, held the high post of prefect of Gaul and was in charge of the civil administration of the west. provinces of the empire with residence in Augusta Treverov. After his death during the campaign of the Emperor. Constantine II to Italy (340), A.’s mother and her young children moved to Rome. A.'s elder sister, Marcellina, became a monk in 353. His brother Uranius Satyr, who also did not marry, became an official and later. helped the Bishop of Milan; he died in 375 after a grueling trip to Africa on church business. A., the youngest in the family, studied grammar, rhetoric and jurisprudence, receiving an education usual for people of his circle preparing for a career in the state. field. His education and erudition were very great: he was fluent in oratory in Latin. and Greek languages, was fond of philosophy and literature, especially Plato; in his works there are very frequent reminiscences from Cicero, Virgil, Suetonius and others.

St. Ambrose of Milan. Mosaic of the Chapel of San Vittore in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan. OK. 470 St. Ambrose of Milan. Mosaic of the Chapel of San Vittore in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan. OK. 470 Beginning of the state. A.'s service was a lawyer in Sirmium, in the judicial department of the prefecture of Illyricum. The zeal of the young lawyer was soon noticed by the praetorian prefect Petronius Probus, who appointed him to the position of adviser. OK. 370 Probus successfully petitioned the emperor. Valentinian I on the appointment of A. to the post of consular (governor) of the province. Emilia-Liguria with its center in Mediolana (modern Milan), where from the end. III century there was one of the western imp. residences.

In the fall of 374, the Bishop of Milan died. Auxentius I, a supporter of Arianism, which led to the struggle between the Orthodox and the Arians. The disputes were long and heated, so that the emperor himself had to admonish the warring parties. Riots began in the city, and A. personally appeared at the cathedral, where the election of a new bishop was taking place. In the midst of disputes about the candidacy, a child’s voice suddenly rang out: “Ambrose is a bishop!” - after which the assembled representatives of both parties unanimously elected a consular to the department. A. did not expect this at all: after all, he had not yet been baptized, postponing the acceptance of the sacrament to a later date, as was often done at that time. The townspeople sent a petition to the emperor for permission to install A. as a bishop; he himself, burdened by this election, did everything possible to avoid being a bishop: he acted harshly with the condemned man, pointedly invited public women to his place, tried to secretly flee from the city; The people, seeing all this, shouted to him: “Your sin is on us!” (Paulin. Vita Ambr. 7). A. was even guarded in his own house, but he managed to hide in the villa of his friend Leontius, where he spent time reading Plotinus. In the meantime, a decree came approving the election of A., and he had to agree to be ordained. He was baptized Orthodox. bishop (probably Limenius of Vercella) and a week later he was ordained (12/7/373 - Dassmann. S. 363; other dates are also mentioned: 12/7/374, 12/1/373). According to Theodoret, the emperor was present at the consecration. Valentinian I.

Being at first not very knowledgeable in matters of theology, A. diligently began to study St. Scripture according to the interpretations of Origen, St. Hippolytus of Rome, Didymus and St. Basil the Great, in which he was helped by his longtime friend and bud. successor to Simplician. Soon A. becomes one of the best exegetes and preachers in the West (De off. I 4).

One of A.'s main concerns was the fight against the influence of Arianism in the West. After the compromise definition of religion of the Arimino-Seleucian Council (359), there was a struggle for the establishment of the Nicene religion. A. immediately decisively took the side of the defenders of the Nicene Symbol. In 376, not without difficulty, he managed to establish Orthodoxy at the See of Sirmium (where at that time the court of the young Emperor Valentinian II, the youngest son of Valentinian I, was located). Ep. Anemia (Paulin. Vita Ambr. 11). A. became close to the eldest son of Valentinian I Zap. Rome. imp. Gratian (375-383), who, under the influence of A., began to more and more openly support Nicene Orthodoxy (edict of April 22, 380 - Cod. Theod. XVI 5.4). On Sept. 381, shortly after the end of Om. II Council in K-pol, which approved the Orthodox Church. Symbol of Faith, A. held a Council of 32 bishops from the North in Aquileia. Italy, Pannonia, Africa, Pentapolis and Gaul (there were no representatives of the 5 leading departments, including from Pope Damasus). At the Council, A. read out the writings of Arius and asked for the opinions of those present on each point of the Arian doctrine. The bishops from the Danube provinces, Palladius of Ratiaria and Secundian of Singudun (PL. 16. Col. 916-939, 980-990), were condemned and deposed.

Imp. Gratian, who fought against the remnants of paganism (under him, the colleges of priests and vestals were deprived of benefits and income, the title “pontifex maximus” was excluded from the imperial title), in 382 ordered the removal of Rome from the meeting room. Senate altar of the Goddess of Victory with her statue, installed under Augustus, removed under Constantius II (337-361) and returned to the emperor. Julian the Apostate (360-363). The demand to return the Altar of Victory again rallied the pagan party, headed by Senator Symmachus, one of the most educated and noble Romans of that time. The delegation of Symmachus was not accepted by the emperor under the influence of Christian senators, Pope Damasus and A. In 383, Gratian was killed in Gaul by supporters of the usurper Magnus Maximus; His 12-year-old brother Valentinian II (383-392) reigned in Italy. In 384, Symmachus, who received the post of prefect of Rome, together with the praetorian prefect of Italy, Vettius Agorius Praetextatus, drew up a report in defense of the altar of Victory; in the summer of the same year, Valentinian II accepted their delegation. Symmachus’s speech in defense of the “former glory of Rome” was received favorably, but A. intervened, immediately sending the emperor an admonishing letter (Ep. 17), and then a treatise refuting Symmachus (Ep. 18). The delegation was refused. When Magnus Maximus invaded Italy (388), Symmachus wrote a panegyric in his honor, but again did not achieve his goal: the usurper reacted coolly to the pagan party. After Theodosius I the Great (379-395) overthrew Maximus, Symmachus had to justify his panegyric and even seek refuge in the temple. However, Theodosius also began to hesitate in the matter of returning the altar after a visit to him by a deputation headed by the same Symmachus. In response to this, A. began to avoid meeting with the emperor and thus rebuked him: Theodosius refused Symmachus. On June 13, 389, the emperor’s triumphal entry into Rome took place, where he allowed to preserve only those pagan statues that adorned the city and were the works of famous masters. During the short reign of Eugene (393-394), the Altar of Victory was nevertheless returned to the Senate, and only the repeated triumph of Theodosius I put an end to the history of this one of the main symbols of pagan Rome.

When, after the death of Gratian, Valentinian II moved to Mediolan, clashes began between A. and the mother of the young emperor Justina, who favored the Arians, of whom there were many at court. In 385, Valentinian demanded that one of the city's basilicas be given to the Arians; A. refused, the townspeople came out in defense of the bishop. On Easter 386, the comites were sent from the palace with a military detachment to occupy the basilica outside the city walls (basilica Portiana, modern church of San Lorenzo). By this time, the Arian party was officially legitimized by the emperor. edict of January 23, 386 (Cod. Theod. XVI 1.4); The basilica was supposed to be handed over to the Arian bishop who fled from the East. Auxentius II, but A. himself was planned to be sent into exile. Summoned to a dispute, in which the emperor himself was supposed to act as an arbiter, A. refused to appear, answering that in the affairs of bishops only bishops can be judges; He drew up a written speech against Auxentius (Sermo contra Auxentium; Ep. 21), and answered the emperor that the sovereign does not have power over objects dedicated to God and cannot demand from him the transfer of the temple of God (Ep. 20). Despite the threats, A. locked himself in the basilica and for 3 days, together with the people, inspired by prayers and singing hymns, withstood the siege; when the soldiers, fearing excommunication, began to go over to the bishop’s side, the emperor was forced to yield. During these events, it became clear that the authority of the saint was indisputable even for his opponents. A.'s brilliant sermons attracted many neophytes to the Church, among whom was 32-year-old Augustine, who accepted St. Baptism from A. (whom he respectfully calls “Dad”) on Easter 387.

Tensions with the Bishop of Milan did not prevent Valentinian II and Justina from entrusting important assignments to him. So, in 383/84 A. headed an embassy to Magnus Maxim, who by that time had subjugated all the lands of the empire in the West, except for the Italian prefecture. A.'s embassy allowed him to gain time to block the roads through the Alps. A year later, A. again went to Maxim, but this time the embassy ended unsuccessfully: A. was accused of treachery and was not accepted. In Mediolan they blamed him for being too persistent and sent a new embassy to Maxim, which he graciously accepted. But as soon as the ambassadors returned with good news, Maxim unexpectedly crossed the Alps and forced the emperor. family to flee to Thessalonica. In Jan. 388 Maxim entered Rome, but was soon defeated by Theodosius, who captured and executed him, returning the throne to Valentinian II.

After the death of Justina, the young emperor made A. one of the people closest to himself (Ep. 53. 1-2). Enjoying the respect and complete trust of the ruler of the West. empire, the bishop of Milan became close to the emperor. Theodosius I, who ruled the east. part of the empire, and subsequently. More than once he used his authority to influence the adoption of state legislation. decisions. A. welcomed the law issued by Theodosius against heretics on June 14. 388 (Cod. Theod. XVI 5. 15). In con. 388 in the city of Kallinikos (province of Osroene) the people, with the knowledge of the bishop, destroyed the Jewish synagogue; Theodosius ordered Christ. the city community to restore the synagogue at its own expense, but A. energetically opposed this (Ep. 40-41), ardently urging not to allow the Jews to triumph over Christians and not to force the bishop to act against his conscience, for this is not befitting of Christ. to the emperor. Theodosius canceled the order. However, trying to emphasize the independence of his decisions, he more than once demonstrated disagreement with A. (Ep. 51. 2) and issued a number of decrees that were not entirely favorable to the Church (Cod. Theod. XII 1. 121; XVI 2. 27). The relationship between Theodosius and A. reached particular tension in the summer of 390. During urban unrest in Thessalonica, the emperor was killed. Goth military leader Boterich and several. senior officers; The emperor allowed the Goths from his army to take revenge on the townspeople, and as a result, approx. 7 thousand inhabitants. At the news of the terrible massacre, A. withdrew from Mediolan, where Theodosius was staying at that time, avoiding meeting with the emperor. From his solitude, A. sent a letter to the emperor (Ep. 51), in which he exposed his crime and called for repentance. The bishop announced to the emperor that from now on he would not perform divine services in his presence and that he should not approach the altar until he repented (Paulin. Vita Ambr. 24). Theodosius nevertheless came to the cathedral, but was not admitted to St. Communion A., who said that secret repentance is not enough. Several For months the emperor did not receive St. Communion from the bishop; finally, on Christmas Day 390, having laid aside the signs of royal dignity, he repentantly appeared in the temple and begged for forgiveness (Theodoret. Church History V 17; many details of this story are considered by modern historians to be an exaggeration).

In 392 z. imp. Valentinian II was killed by the commander-in-chief Arbogast (De obit. Valent.; Ep. 53). Eugene was elevated to the throne, whom A. treated with distrust because of his pro-pagan sentiments, although he tried to win the saint over to his side (Ep. 17). Avoiding a meeting with the usurper, A. left Mediolan. Soon Theodosius I defeated Arbogast and executed Eugene; A. successfully interceded with him on behalf of representatives of the provincial nobility who collaborated with the vanquished.

In 395 Theodosius the Great died. Power over the West. The Roman Empire passed to his son Honorius (395-423), whose guardian was the commander Stilicho. The influence of the Bishop of Milan at court noticeably decreased: for example, his intercession did not help a certain Crescontius, who took refuge with A. from the wrath of Stilicho, but was forcibly taken out of the temple (Paulin. Vita Ambr. 34). Due to the exacerbation of the disease, the bishop could no longer actively participate in public affairs. In recent years he has been more involved in literature. creativity, dictating compositions to his secretary Pavlin. A. died 3 years after the imp. Feodosia. He was buried in the same tomb with the martyrs Gervasius and Protasius (whose relics were miraculously found by him in 386) in the basilica, which received later. his name. In con. XIX century the authenticity of the saint's relics was confirmed archaeologically.

The veneration of A. both in the West and in the East arises immediately after his death, as evidenced by the appearance already in the 5th century. lat. and Greek lives. In Catholic traditions of A. together with the blj. Augustine and Saints John Chrysostom and Athanasius the Great are the most revered fathers and teachers of the Church.

K. E. Skurat, M. V. Gratsiansky

Bishopric Road

This case of electing a bishop of the church is unique. In the eighties of the fourth century there was a fierce struggle between the Arians and the Orthodox. After the death of Bishop Auxentius of Mediolanus, the church was left without a mentor, the warring parties could not come to a common opinion, and then it was proposed to choose a prefect of Milan, respected in the city.

Interesting! The uniqueness was that Ambrose was not baptized at that time, but at the request of Emperor Valentinian the First he gave his consent. In just seven days, 37-year-old Ambrose:

• is baptized;
• ordained as a priest;
• becomes a bishop.

The bishopric radically changed the life of the prefect; he donates great wealth to the Church, taking a vow of non-covetousness, and leads a modest and strict life until the end of his days.

Despite the fact that the Arians voted for him when he was appointed priest, Ambrose of Milan fights with them along with the pagans. The purity of the Orthodox Church is the main sphere of his activity.

His confidence and strength of faith influenced even emperors. Both Valentinian and Gratian and Theodosius treated the bishop of Milan with respect, supporting him in the fight against the Arians.

An admirer of the Nicene ministry, the priest, who had the gift of toleration, fiercely fought against heresy, arguing with both monks and emperors. At his request, the altar of Victory-Victoria was removed from the Senate hall in Rome. The newly elected saint sought to separate the connection between the state and paganism.

Saint Ambrose of Milan and Emperor Theodosius

It is hard to believe that in the fourth century a bishop could impose penance on an emperor and he would obey.

Emperor Theodosius sent troops to Thessalonica to suppress the uprising against the Arians, for which he was excommunicated from receiving Communion and was forced to repent publicly. Theodoret of Cyrus, in his description of the events of 390, reports that Emperor Theodosius laid aside his imperial insignia, repented and received Communion.

Prayer before the Liturgy

The prayers are written down into short paragraphs for easier memorization!

To the True Hierarch Jesus Christ, who offered to Himself to God the Father on the altar of the Cross a pure sacrifice, undefiled by us sinners, and who gave us Your Body to eat and Your Blood to drink, ordaining the sacrament in the power of the Holy Spirit, saying this: Whenever you do, in My remembrance do it .

I pray through Your honest Blood, the great price of our salvation, I pray through this wondrous and inscrutable love, with which You, the unworthy, loved us so much, as if You washed us from our sins with Your Blood: teach me, Thy unworthy servant, even with Your other gifts , into the rank of the priesthood, not according to my deeds, but according to Yours alone, You deigned to call upon mercy, teach me by Your Spirit to perform such a great mystery, with great honor and reverence, with great piety and fear, in the image that is worthy of doing.

Make me, Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy grace to always believe and understand the majesty of this mystery, to feel and firmly hold, to speak and think, befitting of You, and useful to my soul.

Let Your good Spirit enter into my heart, speak silently, speak all the truth of so many mysteries, which have deepened deeply and are covered with a Divine shelter.

For the sake of Thy mercy, deign me now and always to perform the sacred rite with a pure heart and thought.

Cleanse your heart from unclean, vile, idle and harmful thoughts.

Protect the saints by angels with faithful guardianship and strong militia, so that the enemy of all blessings will flee to shame by the power of so much of the sacrament and the hand of Thy holy Angel.

Leave from me, my Christ, and from all Your servants the spirit of pride, vanity, envy, rage, fornication, uncleanness, unbelief and blasphemy, so that those who persecute us will be ashamed and may those who strive to destroy us perish.

To the King of strength, purity and chastity, Lover, O God, with the dew from above Your blessing, extinguish all the passionate flame in my flesh, for may the complete purity of soul and body live in me, with Your other gifts, pleasing to You in truth, so that I may have an undefiled body and a pure heart. To bring you a sacrifice of praise with so much contrition of heart, an outpouring of tears, with such honor and fear, in such purity of flesh and spirit, this heavenly Divine offering must be made, where Your Body is essentially eaten and Your Blood is essentially drunk, where the heavenly things below copulate, where you are the angels are coming, where the priest and the wonderful and indescribable sacrifice You yourself offered.

And who is worthy to do this, if not You Yourself, Almighty Lord, are worthy to do the offering? By this I am truly known, and I confess this to Thy mercy, that I am not worthy of the multitude for the sake of my sins and countless transgressions, to approach great mysteries, but I truly and believe with all my heart and lips I confess, that You alone are able to honor me, who was conceived in iniquities. and the one who is born can be cleansed.

For the sake of this omnipotence of Yours, I pray to You: grant me, a sinner, this heavenly sacrifice with fear and trembling, a clear conscience, an outpouring of tears, in spiritual joy and Divine joy, so that my blessed mind may feel the sweetness of Your coming and the host of Your holy angels around me.

Because, Lord, remembering Your saving Passion, I approach Your altar, even though I am unworthy, so that I may offer You a sacrifice, dedicated to You and offered in Your remembrance of our salvation, set up.

Accept this, I pray to Thee, my God, for the Church of Thy Saints and for all the people whom Thou hast provided with Thy Honest Blood: and before me, a sinner, Thou hast desired to be a mediator between Thee and them, if Thou hast not found evidence of good deeds in me , the ministry of reconciliation, entrusted to me, so that if you do not renounce, because it is not mine for the sake of unworthiness, you will lose the price of your salvation, for whose sake you yourself deigned to be a saving sacrifice and atonement.

I offer you, Lord, if you deign to mercifully look upon, the sorrows of people, the sighs of captives, the suffering of the poor, the needs of travelers, the sorrows of the weak, the infirmities of old, the sobs of a child, the vows of virgins, the prayers of widows and orphans, tenderness.

You love everything, and despise nothing created by You.

Remember who our composition is, for You are our Father.

Do not be very angry with us, nor close the wombs of Your compassions from us, O Lord, for it is not in our truths that we pour out our prayers before Your Face, but in Your many compassions.

Take away from us, Lord, our iniquities, and with the fire of Your Holy Spirit, mercifully incinerate us: take away the heart of stone from our flesh and give a heart of flesh that fears You, loves, honors, follows You and feeds on You.

We ask, O Master, for Thy generosity, so that with a bright face you may look favorably upon Thy property, awaiting Thy holy name of service, and may not a single prayer, not a single petition be rejected.

You teach us to pray, even if you yourself are ready to hear and when you ask for mercy, you fulfill them.

We pray to Thee, Holy Father, for the departed souls of the faithful, that this great sacrament of piety may be for them deliverance, salvation, joy and eternal joy.

Lord my God, give them today complete and complete consolation from You, the True, Living Bread, who came down from heaven and gives life to the world from Your Holy Flesh, the undefiled Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world.

Give them a drink of the stream of Thy goodness that flowed from Thy pierced rib on the Cross, so that they may rejoice in the praise and glory of Thy Holy One.

I pray, Lord, Your goodness, may the fulfillment of Your Divinity come upon this Bread and this Cup, may the invisible image and incomprehensible glory of Your Holy Spirit descend in the same way, as before on the sacrifices of the fathers, Who also may this offering of ours create the Body and Thy Blood, and me, Thy unworthy servant, will teach me to perform such a sacrament, so that Thou mayest more favorably and mercifully receive from my hands the Sacrifice for the salvation of all the living and the dead.

I pray to You, Lord, for the very sake of Your Holy Body and Blood of Your Sacrament, in the image of which we are always nourished and drunk in Your temple, cleansed, sanctified and adored, so that by Your power I am strengthened, coming to Your altar with a good conscience, I have this heavenly sacrament in my stomach and salvation, according to Thy holy word: The bread that I will give, My flesh is, I will give for the belly of the world that eats Me, and that one will live for My sake.

Sweetest bread, heal the mouth of my heart, so that I feel the sweetness of Your love in me, heal every ailment, and besides You, I wish for no beauty.

O pure bread, full of all sweets and aromas, enter into my heart and fill my inner soul with the sweetness of Your incense.

The angels in heaven feed on You abundantly: may the alien man on earth be satisfied according to his strength with You.

Holy Bread, Living Bread, Desirable Bread, come down from heaven and give life to the world, enter into my heart and cleanse me from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, enter into my soul, sanctifying and enlightening outside and inside, be my eternal guardianship of soul and body health.

Drive away from me those who come against me, so that those who hate me may flee from Your Face, yes, I am protected by You, I will pass with You into Your eternal kingdom, where we will not be hidden, but face to face we will see You, when you give up the Kingdom to God and the Father, may there be all God in all.

Until now I have hungered and thirsted, but then I will be satisfied, when Your glory will appear to me, in which You reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever.

Amen.

Men's monastery

Truly, the hand of God was over the reign of the saint of Milan. He supervised the construction of two basilicas. Amvrosievka and Apostolskaya, founded a men's monastery. Ambrose Basilica was built on the ruins of pagan idols, under the rubble of which Christian martyrs were buried, which is why it is known as the Basilica of Martyrs.

Initially, the martyrs Chrysanthus and Darius were the saints with whom the basilica was consecrated; during the year 380, the relics of Protasius and Gervasius were found, and the basilica began to be named after them. After the death of the blessed bishop, the Milanese began to call the Basilica St. Ambrose.

Important! During the years of his bishopric, St. Ambrose of Milan gained national love by helping those in need, healing and prophesying.

Founder of Western Theology

For a long time, the Fathers of the Eastern Church were closed to knowledge by Western Christianity. Thanks to the good education he received, Ambrose was able to study the works of the founders of Christianity from the originals. He not only assimilated and continued the ideas gleaned from primary sources, but also tried to transfer them into the Latin interpretation of Holy Scripture.

Sacrament and Repentance, the Divine essence of the Holy Trinity and each of the Three Hypostases separately are dogmatic issues that formed the basis of disputes with the Arians. Ambrose's treatises reveal the essence of the Bible and commentaries on it. The sermons left by Saint Ambrose of Milan, whose life is described in articles by followers and disciples, represent one of the valuable parts of the spiritual heritage.

Icon of St. Ambrose of Milan

The bishop tried to show people the beauty of life in Christ, exposing the proud, hypocrites, and debauchees. St. Augustine proudly recognized Ambrose as a teacher and mentor.

Great gift and miracles of healing

The prophetic gift of the priest from Mediolan was known far beyond the borders of Italy. The Persian sages turned to him for advice on how to know the truth.

The Marcomannic tribe conducted constant raids on the inhabitants of Mediolan. The bishop sent his treatises to Queen Fritigilda, which outlined the dogmatic foundations of the Christian faith and the Church, after which both the ruler of the Marcomanni tribe and her husband believed, and peace was concluded with the Roman Empire.

Extraordinary kindness attracted residents from distant countries, for Ambrose did not single out the poor or the rich, for him everyone was children of God. Possessing the gift of healing, the bishop held constant receptions, praying for the sick. According to the testimony of the Florentine Decent, a boy was resurrected in his house, who shortly before was declared dead.

Veneration of the Saint

Holy Saturday, April 4, 397, became the last day of Saint Ambrose’s stay on earth.

The crypt of the basilica in Milan is a special place of veneration of the saint; the relics of the righteous Bishop of Milan are kept here. At the beginning of the fifth century, even before Ambrose was declared a saint, pilgrimages to his burial place began. Christian writers began to compile a biography of the clergyman, who conquered many people with his faith and loyalty to the Lord.

Reliquary with the relics of St. Ambrose of Milan in Milan

In 824, by order of Archbishop Angelbert II, a porphyry sarcophagus was built into which the incorruptible relics were transferred. This sarcophagus was found in 1864 and opened seven years later.

On December 20, the Orthodox world honors the memory of the great theologian, poet, and priest Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan.

Residents of Milan deeply revere their guardian angel, decorating the facades of their houses, streets and squares of the city with portraits and sculptures of him.

Prayers

Troparion to Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, tone 4

The rule of faith, and the image of meekness, / teacher self-control, / show you to your flock, / even the truth of things; / for this reason, you have acquired high humility, / rich in poverty, Father Hierarch Ambrose, / / ​​pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Translation: The immutable Truth was revealed to your flock by the rule of faith and the image of meekness and self-control. Therefore, through humility you have acquired high things, and through poverty you have acquired riches. Father, Hierarch Ambrose, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion to Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, tone 3

Shedding divine dogmas, / you darkened the charm of Arius, / the priest and shepherd Ambrose, / working miracles with the power of the Spirit, / you healed various passions in reality, reverend father, / pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Translation: Shining with divine teachings, you extinguished the Aryan delusion, sacred keeper and shepherd Ambrose, performing miracles by the power of the Spirit, you truly healed various diseases, Reverend Father, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion to Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, tone 8

Having acquired a fair amount of the word of life, O wise father, / not doubting the heights of the king, reproaching the king with God and making him wise. / All the more, honor him honestly and teach your people to God. / For this reason we call you: Rejoice, most wonderful Ambrose.

Translation: Having acquired the excellent gift of the word of life, wise father, without doubting the height of the king, teaching the Divine truths, you exposed and taught the king. Therefore, you are worthily honored, guiding your flock of people to God. Therefore, we appeal to you: “Rejoice, wonderful Ambrose.”

Prayer to Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

Oh, glorious miracle worker, quick helper in sorrows and zealous prayer book for God for peace, Holy Father Ambrose!

We know that we have great boldness towards the Savior, standing before His high Throne, and for this sake we humbly fall down to you: pray to Him, servant of God, that He will give the Russian people a prosperous and peaceful life, that they may deliver them from enemies visible and invisible, from the invasion of foreigners, from illness and famine, from all sorrow and deadly plagues and from all evil; May all of us, who celebrate your holy memory with faith and earnestly look forward to your intercession, send down all that is beneficial for our temporary and eternal life, especially the forgiveness of sins, peace of thoughts, peace of heart, health to our souls and bodies.

To her, the saint of God, the most merciful shepherd of Christ, our most ready patron!

Hear us, asking one more thing from you: be a warm prayer book and intercessor to the Lord for our spiritual shepherds and fathers (names), who bear our infirmities and suffer for us, until Christ is imagined in us, may He, the all-good and all-powerful Lord, protect , dearest days of their life in indestructible peace and strength of spiritual and physical strength, may He lead us, His unworthy servants, through their care and prayers, through your intercession and intercession, to the haven of endless life, where the cherubs and seraphim, all the saints with the Mother of God and with you , our patron, unceasing voices glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Amen.