The life and creative heritage of St. Philaret of Moscow, texts of prayers

Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna Filaret (Drozdov) is one of the outstanding religious and statesmen of his time. His opinion was taken into account not only by ministers, but also by the sovereigns of the great Russian Empire.

Metropolitan Filaret

Birth of Filaret Drozdov

The future Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna , was the first-born in the family of the deacon of the Kolomna Assumption Cathedral, Fr. Mikhail Drozdov and his wife Evdokia Nikitichna, née Filippova. He was born in the house of his maternal grandfather on December 26 (old style) 1782, since his young parents had not yet managed to acquire their own home. On January 1, 1783, the baby was baptized and given the name Vasily, in honor of St. Basil of Caesarea.

The boy spent the first time of his infancy in the house of his grandfather, Fr. Nikita, who served in the Epiphany Church, which has survived to this day (moreover, the temple was not closed during the Soviet years). Then Mikhail Fedorovich Drozdov was ordained a priest at the Trinity Kolomna Church, and in a small house next to this church Vasily lived with his parents until he was nine years old. During the same period, his sister Olga was born, who later married Herodion Stepanovich Sergievsky, since 1816 the rector of the Assumption Cathedral in Kolomna. Brother Nikita and sister Agrippina were born already in the 1790s, when Vasily was studying at the seminary. The saint never left his brother or sisters in his care.

Personal life

As someone who had accepted the monastic feat, he, of course, could not have a family and children. But he had many relatives in whose lives he took an active part. Sister Agrippina Mikhailovna Drozdova (married Epiphany) and brother Nikita Mikhailovich Drozdov had many children, whose fate was not indifferent to Metropolitan Philaret. He married many of his nephews and nieces to worthy people. One of his descendants is everyone’s favorite TV presenter Nikolai Nikolaevich Drozdov , who hosted the “In the Animal World” program for many years. Metropolitan Philaret is his great-great-great-uncle.

Family inheritance of the family of St. Philaret

The family of Metropolitan Philaret on both his paternal and maternal sides was, as they say, “Levitical.” Both his grandfathers and great-grandfathers served the throne of God. The personality of the saint’s paternal grandfather, Fr. Theodora. Having grown old, he “handed over” the parish to his son, and he himself completely immersed himself in prayer - that is, he began to move into another world long before his physical death. Moreover, not having a watch due to poverty, Fr. Theodore measured the time of his cell prayer, which he performed three times a day, by burning a church wax candle.

In general, the poverty in the Drozdov family was very noticeable. Here we also mean the “young” Drozdovs, the parents of St. Philaret. It was especially difficult for them in the first time after the appointment of Fr. Michael to Trinity Church. The parishioners wanted to see a completely different priest as their rector (not a different one in general, but a specific one) and met Fr. Mikhail with open hostility. Prejudiced against him, they, as if in revenge, reduced their church expenses to the most meager amounts. Donations for expenses became so insignificant that it was almost impossible to maintain a house on them.

But oh. Mikhail, despite his youth, bore the test with dignity. Material need, even the direct deprivations that he suffered from the stiff-neckedness of his parishioners, did not cool or embitter him. And soon people, seeing that the priest cared first of all about their welfare, was ready to go to confession, give communion, unction, admonish the dying and console the mourning at any time of the day or night, changed their attitude towards him. Gradually the seeds of repentance and love sprouted. But, of course, they could not bear abundant “financial” fruit: the parishioners of the Trinity Church were, for the most part, not very wealthy.

Humble Christian

The saint was a zealous and attentive Christian. He usually celebrated the Liturgy on holidays and Sundays, with the exception of rare cases of illness or special occasions. Bishop Philaret prepared carefully for the Divine Service, always reading the rule for Communion.

Filaret Drozdov did not like praise, even if it was sincere. He often asked: “Do not give me names that I am not worthy to bear.” The inner life of the Vladyka was hidden from everyone, even from the cell attendant. The saint did not allow the servant to be present during the washing, much less reveal the hidden, prayerful part of life.

Saint Philaret was called “Moscow Chrysostom”. He always read his sermons from sight, not daring to improvise. However, his contemporaries note that the Vladyka did this only out of deep humility, and that his ordinary speech was distinguished by wisdom and beauty of style.

Filaret's youth

As we see, the childhood years of the future metropolitan were spent in very cramped conditions. But the general structure of the family, the sincere piety of the mother and father, turned poverty itself into the most important factor in education. And, of course, from a very young age Vasya was accustomed to church services. Barely understanding the course of the service, he already saw in it - albeit very childishly - some special poetry. Once, for example, he, standing with his mother in the church, noticed how the chandelier was being raised after extinguishing the candles (the chandelier was lowered and raised on a block to light the candles at the beginning of the service and extinguish them at the end). Observing this process—no doubt already seen more than once—the boy shared with his mother his understanding of it:

“Mom, the service will end soon, prayer to God has begun.”

With all this, Metropolitan Philaret never forgot that his parents lived in need and, having left their home in 1799 (after the closure of the Kolomna Seminary, he transferred to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra Seminary), he always tried to help them. At first these were modest “consolations” - wooden spoons made in Sergiev Posad or canvas for household use. Then, already receiving a regular salary, Filaret was able to send money to the family, and he arranged these parcels with all possible delicacy. Here is an excerpt from one of the “covering” letters to my father:

“Count P. A. Stroganov, thanking me in a letter for the sermon preached at the tomb of his late parent, sent at the same time three hundred rubles. Not having a great need for them and not knowing how to take care of them, I decided to send them to you... They will be useful to you..."

On the contrary, the saint was ashamed to accept allowance from his parents, even when, as a seminarian, he had an extreme need for it. He knew perfectly well that it was not given to him from excess, but from scarcity. This is how he wrote to his family:

“Your mercies towards me are so great that I am afraid that they will not be burdensome for you. I ask you to moderate your generosity."

Death of Metropolitan Philaret's parents

Father Mikhail did not find his first-born son in the rank of bishop. He died in 1816, when St. Filaret was still an archimandrite, rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. The son supported his father as best he could in his illness, and after his death he took touching care of his mother. Filaret wrote after his father’s death:

“An unknown something introduced me to the misfortune with which God was pleased to visit us, even before it came true. It would take a long time to retell to you the feelings that I had from time to time: thanks to Providence that I was prepared by preliminary sorrow to endure the blow that had taken place. Let His will be done in all things; We must all prepare to follow the one for whom we are now shedding tears... I humbly ask you to write to me whatever you want, for your peace and general consolation. The God of patience and consolation is with you, let us cast our sorrow upon Him..."

When Evdokia Nikitichna became quite old, Metropolitan Philaret arranged for her to move to Moscow and settled her near him. The biography of St. Philaret, who had the opportunity to observe his private life, writes:

“A touching picture, a decrepit old mother in front of her old son. With what love the son communicates! With what faith the mother joins! With what gratitude to God their hearts burn, how easily their prayer flows to the Redeemer Christ... Often they saw him, due to the frequent illnesses of his mother, hastily walking to her house through the spacious courtyard in the dead of night or the winter cold with the aid of pastoral prayer and filial love. Strong in spirit, he forgot the infirmities of his decrepit flesh. Peacefully submissive to the fate of God, he, not embarrassed by her death, without sobs accepted the last breath of the deceased, without sobs he paid the last debt to the one who had passed from time to eternity. Firmly awake during the prayer of remembrance and burial, I found in my soul the strength to meet the coffin in the cemetery, escort him to the grave, sprinkle dust on the dust, and meekly and forlornly return to his cell to ordinary labors and exploits. On the appointed days of remembrance, he annually visited the Pyatnitskoye cemetery, where the earthly clothing of the soul taken from the everyday world was folded.”

Endowed with outstanding abilities, the saint quickly made a church “career.” In 1808, he took monastic vows, and already in 1817, a year after the death of the priest, Father Philaret was consecrated bishop, two years later he became archbishop at the Tver See and a member of the Holy Synod. All these years, his correspondence with his grandfather was uninterrupted, who closely followed the spiritual development of his grandson and rejoiced at his successes. In 1821, a significant event happened: Bishop Filaret (Drozdov), whom Priest Nikita carried in his arms as a baby, became Archbishop of Moscow and Kolomna.

Literary heritage

The range of issues considered by the Metropolitan in his works is quite wide. He wrote both scientific treatises and manuals intended for the common reader. Among other works, it is appropriate to note: The Long Orthodox Catechism of the Orthodox Catholic Eastern Church, Words and Speeches, Christian Teaching about Royal Power and the Duties of Loyal Subjects, Teaching about Family Life, Interpretation of the Book of Genesis, Prayers, The Beginnings of Christian Teaching or a Brief Sacred History, Thoughts and sayings, Conversation to the verb Old Believer about the Hundred Main Council and about true harmony with the Orthodox Church, The meaning of church prayer for the unification of churches, State teaching of St. Philaret (Drozdov), Metropolitan of Moscow, Selected passages from the sacred history of the Old and New Testaments with edifying reflections, On centenary fortune telling , On the dogmatic dignity and protective use of the Greek seventy interpreters and Slavic translations of the Holy Scriptures, etc.

Saint Philaret Metropolitan of Moscow - earthly glory

Father Filaret was elevated to the rank of metropolitan in 1826. Emperors listened to his advice, and he outlived three: Alexander I, Nicholas I and Alexander II, and with all of them occupied an outstanding place not only among the hierarchs of the Russian Church, but also among statesmen - ministers, governors and generals.

The abolition of serfdom in Russia is closely connected with the name of Filaret. It was he who compiled the Manifesto of Tsar Alexander II to the people, published on February 19, 1861 and reassuring the peasants who did not immediately understand the essence of the impending changes.

In his old age, he served the Divine Liturgy every Sunday, until illness finally confined him to bed. At almost every service the saint delivered a sermon in a quiet voice. Archimandrite Anthony (Medvedev) once asked the saint: “Why don’t you talk to the people in church without preparation? And in your ordinary conversation, write every word you say in a book...” “I don’t have enough courage,” the preacher answered humbly.

With his blessing and under his supervision, professors of the Theological Academy began to translate the works of the holy fathers into Russian.

Philaret’s favorite creation was the Gethsemane monastery, built ten kilometers from the Lavra in 1844. When he consecrated the skete temple, he put on the robe of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Gethsemane seemed to him like heaven on earth and the best abode in the world.

Demise

In the Life of the Saint we read: “On September 17, 1867, Metropolitan Philaret, at the end of the early Liturgy in the Lavra Cross Church, said to his confessor Archimandrite Anthony: “I just had a dream, and I was told: take care of the 19th.” “Holy Lord! Is it possible to believe in dreams and look for any meaning in them?” - Father Anthony doubted. But the saint said with firm confidence: “I didn’t see a dream—my parent appeared to me and told me those words. From now on, I think that every 19th I will receive Holy Communion.” On October 19, having received communion in the house church, he again left for Gethsemane and, saying goodbye to it forever, returned to Moscow to the Trinity Compound. During these days, he did not refuse admission to anyone, but he once again told those who wanted to visit him to come before November 19th. Two days before the exodus, the saint felt more cheerful than usual and he himself figured out the reason for the sudden improvement: “Before death,” he said, “old people always feel fresher and lighter.” On Sunday, November 19, 1867, Metropolitan Philaret celebrated the Liturgy at the Trinity Metochion...”

Then he went to the office to do business, and said to the cell attendant: “Wait a little. I'll call". After some time, a worried cell attendant entered the office, and then hurried into a side room, where he saw the archpastor on his knees near the washbasin. Two hours later the saint gave up his ghost.

Filaret’s memories of his native Kolomna - “I wish you the best...”

Saint Philaret always remembered the first years of his life in his home and hometown with special love and gratitude. Having visited Kolomna for the first time as an archbishop (May 28, 1822), he addressed his fellow citizens (and his entire “small homeland”) with a heartfelt speech:

“By the inscrutable destinies of God, seeing myself again in the midst of this city, in which I was destined to see the light for the first time and from which I was so carried away by the flow of events that I never expected to see it again, - beyond hope, being again in the midst of my brethren and neighbors, in whose community I received the first pleasant sensations of life, I would like to completely surrender to the strong attraction of love for the fatherland - love for which, as one of the Jerusalemites explains, the children of Jerusalem will be kind to its stone and dust, i.e. the very stones of their native city are dear to them, even the dust of its paths is dear. My heart is now ready to sing to this city the song that they sang to their Jerusalem... God-loving city, for the sake of the Holy Church, which is the house of God, for the sake of her Orthodox children, who are close to God, I wish you good things; and since I wish for God, I also wish for divine blessings, the peace of God... the faith of God... the love of God...".

Orthodox texts

Many texts are dedicated to the Metropolitan. An akathist and a canon were written in the name of Philaret. To independently address the saint, use the text of a traditional prayer.

Troparion

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.

Kontakion

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.

Prayer

About the most glorious and God-wise Saint of Christ Philaret, the Russian Church, the luminary, praise to our land 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.