ᐉ St. George the Confessor icon prayer

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EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN GUARDIAN ANGEL AND THEIR OWN ICON-INTERCESSOR.

Pray in front of your icon, ask the Lord through it for healing and it will definitely come.
Those born from December 22 to January 20 will be protected by the “Sovereign” icon of the Mother of God, and their guardian angels are Saint Sylvester and Venerable Seraphim of Sarov.

+ + + Those born from January 21 to February 20 are protected by Saints Athanasius and Cyril, and they will be protected by the icons of the Mother of God “Vladimir” and “Burning Bush”.

+ + + The Iveron Mother of God icon is the intercessor of those born from February 21 to March 20. Their guardian angels are Saints Alexius and Milentius of Antioch. Everyone has their own guardian angel and their own intercessor icon.

+ + + Those born from March 21 to April 20 must ask for protection from the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, and they are protected by Saints Sophrony and Innocent of Irkutsk, as well as George the Confessor.

Saint Sophrony, Bishop of Irkutsk

Saint Innocent of Irkutsk

Reverend George I the Confessor, Metropolitan of Mitylene

+ + + The icons “Supportress of Sinners” and the Iveron Mother of God will protect those born from April 21 to May 20. Saints Stephen and Tamara, Apostle John the Theologian are their guardian angels.

icon “Sure Helper of Sinners” in a precious robe (Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery) 1843

Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. 1995 Icon painter Hierom. Luke (Iverskaya Chapel, Moscow)

Saint Stephen

Apostle John (Russian icon of the 17th century)

+ + + If your birthday falls between May 21 and June 21, you must ask for protection from the icons of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost,” “Burning Bush,” and “Vladimirskaya.” Protected by saints Alexei of Moscow and Constantine.

Icon of the Mother of God "Recovery of the Lost"

Icon of the Mother of God “Burning Bush”

Emperor Constantine the Great

+ + + Icons of “Joy to All Who Sorrow” and the Kazan Mother of God are the intercessors of those born from June 22 to July 22. Saint Cyril is their guardian angel.

Moscow list from Yelokhovsky Cathedral

"Joy to all who mourn." + + + Saint Nicholas the Pleasant and Elijah the Prophet protect those born from July 23 to August 23, and the icon “Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos” protects them.

Icon “Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary” (Novgorod, 1401-1425, State Tretyakov Gallery)

Saint Nicholas (icon from the monastery of St. Catherine, 13th century)

Elijah the prophet with his life and deesis. From the Church of Elijah the Prophet in the Vybuty churchyard, near Pskov. End of the 13th century Tretyakov Gallery + + + Those born from August 24 to September 23 should ask for protection from the icons “Burning Bush” and “Passionate Bush”. Their guardian angels are Saints Alexander, John and Paul.

Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky

Saint Alexander of Constantinople

Saint John the Faster (582-595) is especially remembered by the Church on September 2.

Icon of St. Paul the Apostle

Those born from September 24 to October 23 should seek protection from the icons of the Pochaev Mother of God, “The Burning Bush” and “The Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord.” They are protected by Saint Sergius of Radonezh.

Icon of the Mother of God “POCHAYEVSKAYA”

Icon of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord

Venerable Sergius of Radonezh

+ + + Saint Paul is the guardian angel of those born from October 24 to November 22. The icons of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” and “Jerusalem” protect them.

Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”

Jerusalem Icon of the Mother of God (Korsun, Gethsemane).

Life

Confessor Georgy (Egor Egorovich Sedov) was born in 1883 in the village of Churilovo, Vladimir province, into a peasant family. He belonged to that wonderful type of Russian people whose clarity and simplicity of soul made all their actions thorough and every step reliable. Such people were not deceived by the substitution of life values, did not change their life principles out of fear, did not lose integrity, and remained faithful to the end. Yegor learned to read and write in a rural school, and from his youth he was engaged in peasant labor. In 1907 he married, and five children were born into his family. Everyone went to church. Even under Soviet rule, Yegor Yegorovich did not work on holidays. He did every task with prayer. After the revolution, the churchliness of the Sedov family began to cause ridicule; Yegor Yegorovich was nicknamed a monk. At the end of the 20s, unafraid of reprisals against himself and his family, Yegor Yegorovich became the head of the church in the village of Lykovo. When the arrests of the clergy began, the Sedovs' house was often visited by priests and monks expelled from churches and monasteries in search of temporary shelter. In 1925, Yegor Yegorovich met Bishop Afanasy (Sakharov) of Vladimir, who had already begun his confessional path, and became his spiritual son. Coming to Vladimir, Yegor Yegorovich always stayed at the bishop’s house, and Bishop Afanasy visited the Sedovs’ house in Churilovo. Throughout his life, Yegor Yegorovich helped Bishop Afanasy with parcels and money. In addition, he delivered honey from his apiary and other products to prisons and distributed them to prisoners. During the period of collectivization, Yegor Yegorovich’s cousin served in the village of Churilovo as a representative of the village council. The churchliness and well-being of the Sedov family became the reason for the enmity of the brother-plenipotentiary towards her. In 1932, his brother petitioned that Yegor Sedov be given a so-called “firm task” that he could not fulfill, that is, they required him to pay a deliberately inflated food tax. As a result, the family was dispossessed, and Yegor Yegorovich was arrested and spent a year in forced labor. His family had to leave their native village. First they settled in Yaroslavl, and then moved to the city of Tutaev. After his release, Yegor Yegorovich worked as a shepherd for 3 years, and with the money he earned he bought a house for his family in Tutaev. Having settled in Tutaevo, he became a parishioner of the Assumption Church in the village of Kotovo. Yegor Yegorovich continued to invite expelled monks and repressed priests to stay in his house. In 1943, Yegor Yegorovich was arrested on the basis of the testimony of a previously arrested person who could not withstand interrogations. The investigation lasted eleven months. Yegor Yegorovich was interrogated six times. But he did not agree to plead guilty in any way. He also did not name any of his acquaintances. The investigation was unable to gather any evidence to convict him and he had to be released. Upon leaving prison, Yegor Yegorovich learned that Bishop Afanasy (Sakharov) had been arrested in the city of Ishim. Almost ten years of imprisonment in the camps awaited the sick bishop, all this time Yegor Yegorovich was looking for an opportunity to alleviate the suffering of the saint. And when he, already very sick, was placed in the Home for the Invalids, Yegor Yegorovich issued a surety for the exiled bishop and took him to his home. The bishop lived with his spiritual son for 11 months. In the 50s, Yegor Yegorovich became the headman of the Resurrection Church in Tutaev. The 70-year-old confessor spent all his strength on its restoration, despite the terrible godless time. In 1960, during the renovation of the temple, three interconnected ladders fell on it. Yegor Yegorovich himself reached his house, but there he fell ill and never got up again. He was ill for about a year. He said to his wife: “Apparently, it was God’s will.” On December 16, 1960, Egor Egorovich Sedov died. He was buried in the Tutaevsky city cemetery. Nowadays the holy relics of confessor George are in the Tutaevsky city cathedral.

Confessor Georgy (Sedov)

December 3/16 The Russian Orthodox Church remembers confessor Georgy Sedov. His loyalty to the Church (everyday, everyday, but no less steadfast and unshakable than the loyalty of those who went to die for the Church), like the loyalty to the Church and the steadfastness of many, many Orthodox Christians, helped the Church survive the years of persecution. Georgy Sedov also helped Bishop Afanasy (Sakharov), persecuted by the Soviet regime, to survive, for whom he cared and worked for many years.

Egor Egorovich Sedov with his parents.

Yegor Egorovich (as his loved ones called him all his life) Sedov belonged to that wonderful type of Russian people whose clarity and simplicity of soul made all their actions thorough and every step reliable. Such people were not deceived by the substitution of life values, did not change their life principles out of fear, did not lose integrity, and remained faithful to the end. Russia withstood their fortress during years of unprecedented cruelty.

Egor Sedov was born in 1883 into a peasant family in the village of Churilovo, Yuryev-Polsky district, Vladimir province. He had two younger sisters - Maria and Evdokia. Father, Yegor Sedov Sr., inherited and established Russian Orthodox traditions in his family. Every Sunday and on all church holidays he went to church. And he did this not because it was supposed to be so, but out of his heart’s disposition - he loved worship. The nearest church was in the village of Lykovo, three kilometers from the house; it was a parish church for the family. But Yegor Sedov especially loved to pray in the cathedral in the city of Vladimir. I went there quite often, although the city was 40 kilometers away. As the children grew older, he took them with him. It happened that children were walking, and the father overtook them, his soul was so eager for the temple, his soul was in a hurry.

The only son in the family, Yegor Jr., like his father, became a parishioner of the Lykovo Church and, like his father, joyfully went to pray at the Vladimir Cathedral. The hospitable house of the Sedovs was often visited by priests from Vladimir and monks. Yegor learned to read and write, like all peasant children, in the family and from his youth was engaged in peasant labor.

In 1907, Yegor Egorovich married Anastasia Stepanovna. Over the years, five children were born into their family: daughters Anna, Maria, Anfisa, Seraphima and son Mikhail. Everyone went to church. Yegor Yegorovich harnessed the horse, put the kids in the sleigh and took them to Lykovo. On Sundays and on church holidays, even under Soviet rule, I never worked, fulfilling the commandment of God: “So do not look for what you will eat or what you will drink, and do not worry, because the people of this world are looking for all this; But your Father knows that you need this; seek above all the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you” (Luke 12:29-31). Yegor Yegorovich himself did everything with prayer.

In the post-revolutionary years, the churchliness of the Sedov family caused ridicule. Yegor Yegorovich was nicknamed a monk. “Monks don’t get married,” he answered reasonably. At the end of the 1920s, he was elected headman of the Lykovo church.

Yegor Egorovich was tall, strong built and healthy, a good owner and a caring family man. He had a large farm: two horses, a cow, a vegetable garden, an apiary. By Soviet standards, it was assessed as average. It required constant application of labor. The whole family also worked, the children helped the adults from childhood. The harvests on their plot were always better than those of their neighbors. “Everyone failed, but we did,” his daughter recalled.

When the arrests of the clergy began, priests and monks, mostly expelled from churches and monasteries, began to visit the Sedov house even more often, in search of temporary shelter and consolation. They came at dusk so that no one would see. Yegor Yegorovich greeted everyone; Anastasia Stepanovna will feed you, give you something to drink, or even dress you and let you spend the night. The Sedovs' garden was very large. The guests went to the apiary and prayed there without witnesses.

Yegor Yegorovich was a man deeply devoted to the Church. The events that took place in it worried him. And it so happened that the Lord sent him a pilot in the approaching storm. In 1918, Hieromonk Afanasy (Sakharov) was sent to the Vladimir diocese by the hierarchy, who first served his obedience as a teacher at the Vladimir Theological Seminary. In 1920, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite and appointed rector of the Vladimir Nativity Monastery. It is unknown under what circumstances Yegor Yegorovich met Father Afanasy, but for the church elder, who tirelessly helped the clergy of churches and monasteries, it was inevitable. Very soon a relationship of deep mutual love developed between them. Yegor Yegorovich became the close and devoted spiritual son of Father Afanasy. More than 30 years later, he would write letters to Bishop Athanasius with the same feeling of ardent filial love: “Christ is in our midst, our dear and dear daddy, I greet you on the holiday...” (October 28/November 10, 1954); “Our dear beloved p.[reconsecrated] v.[ladyka]!..” (May 8, 1956).

On June 27, 1921, Archimandrite Afanasy (Sakharov) was consecrated Bishop of Kovrov, vicar of the Vladimir diocese, and less than a year later his confessional path began. Yegor Egorovich immediately took upon himself the care of the bishop, trying to alleviate his situation in any way possible during periods of imprisonment and providing possible material assistance. For almost 30 years, he became the bishop’s tireless “guardian” (in the words of the bishop himself), accompanying him with his heartfelt and active participation in all his many sorrows and trials.

In the intervals between prisons and exile, the bishop returned to serve in Vladimir. There is no doubt that Bishop Afanasy influenced the formation of Yegor Yegorovich’s church orientation. They were of the same spirit: the Lykov Church was never Renovationist, and a few years later Yegor Yegorovich would begin to consider himself one of those who did not remember.

Coming to Vladimir, Yegor Yegorovich always stayed overnight at the bishop’s house. And Bishop Afanasy, when business permitted, came to the Sedovs. He served in the Lykovo church and stayed in Churilovo. “He blessed the children, taught them to pray, said: they must sing in the choir. We children loved him very much. How good he was! Dad called him “Holy Master.” And we all started calling him that. And now he is glorified by the Church,” [1] recalled Sima-Serafima Egorovna Sedova.

On one of these visits, on the day of the angel Yegor Yegorovich, at a service in Lykovo, Bishop Athanasius, in a sermon on the Great Martyr George the Victorious, spoke about the courage of confessing faith, about fidelity to Christ, about the rejection of renovationism. On January 2, 1926, when the bishop was arrested for the ninth time, he was accused of this sermon. On January 20, Bishop Afanasy wrote from prison to his mother Matrona Andreevna Sakharova: “... In conclusion, investigator Efimov asked if I could indicate witnesses who would refute the accusation under Article 69 (anti-Soviet agitation in a sermon in Lykovo. - I.M. ). Of course, I didn’t tell anyone: why make people worry. But if there [in Lykovo] there was someone good who would not be afraid to come to this wonderful institution and refute the denunciation, that would be very important. Maybe you can somehow let Lykovo know.” Matrona Andreevna herself twice filed statements with the Vladimir OGPU. And in Lykovo a “good man” was found. On February 15, at a parish meeting of the church in the village of Lykovo, chaired by elder Yegor Sedov, it was decided to petition the Vladimir OGPU for the release of Bishop Afanasy from prison. Yegor Yegorovich was authorized by the assembly to take this citizen’s petition to Vladimir. On March 5, the investigation was closed and the bishop was released.

Bishop Afanasy Sakharov and Sedov Egor Egorovich, 1954

But in 1927, Bishop Athanasius began his many years of continuous imprisonment. The participation and help of Yegor Yegorovich accompanied the Bishop all these years. The connection between them was never interrupted, they corresponded regularly, Yegor Yegorovich was aware of the events of the long-suffering life of the imprisoned bishop, sent him the necessary things, food and money.

The time came when people began to hide their faith, were afraid to come to church, excluded all communication with the clergy from their lives, wives and children renounced their husbands and priestly fathers who were being persecuted by the authorities. Then Yegor Yegorovich considered it his duty as a member of the Church to take care of the clergy imprisoned in prisons in the city of Vladimir, and the starving priests in the parishes in Vladimir and Yuryev-Polsky. He learned about them and brought them honey from his apiary, potatoes and other products. Sometimes he would drive up to the house and knock. Mother looks out in fear: “Who is this?” The father looks and says: “Open yours.” And Yegor Yegorovich will throw what he brought from the cart at the door or at the gate and continue on the road.

And in the house his supplies did not decrease, there was enough for everyone, and the family was always well-fed. God sent abundance.

Yegor Yegorovich never joined collective farms. During the period of collectivization, his cousin served as a representative from the village council for the village of Churilovo. Yegor Yegorovich's churchliness and the well-being of his family aroused the enmity of his brother-plenipotentiary, and it was so great that in 1932 his brother petitioned that Yegor Yegorovich be given such a firm task that he would not be able to complete and would then be dispossessed. The petition was granted, and Yegor Yegorovich was sentenced to one year of forced labor, and his entire household was confiscated. The family was left without a breadwinner and without means of subsistence. Anastasia Stepanovna had to look for help to plow the land.

Yegor Yegorovich's eldest daughter Maria married a parishioner of the Lykovo church. They got married, despite the mockery and ridicule of the village residents. The son-in-law advised Anastasia Stepanovna to leave Churilov. He offered to settle in Yaroslavl. The family moved and found a house beyond the Volga. But living there turned out to be very cramped and difficult, and work was found only on the other side. The son-in-law went to consult the priest: where to move? He said: “Move to Tutaev, I have friends there. They’ll buy you a house, give you the money later.” And so they did.

In 1933, after the end of his prison term, Yegor Yegorovich also did not want to return to the village of Churilovo, but he did not go to his relatives. In the village of Kozlovo, Rostov district, Yaroslavl region, he found a job that allowed him to pay off the debt for buying a house in Tutaev: he hired himself as a shepherd and worked for as long as it took to collect the required amount. In 1936, he bought a house with the money he earned and moved there himself. In Tutaev, his daughter Anfisa worked at the Tulma factory. Yegor Yegorovich also got a job at this factory to look after horses. Serafima Yegorovna said: “It used to be that he would come to the stable, and the horses, as soon as they heard his voice, would all neigh! The horses loved him too.”

Having settled in Tutaev, Yegor Yegorovich became a parishioner of the Resurrection Cathedral. Unlike many who do not remember, he never left church services and the temple; moreover, reading Church Slavonic well, he often, especially on weekdays, served as a psalmist. At the same time, Yegor Yegorovich met members of the underground community of the Old Tikhon orientation (non-rememberers) at the temple in the village of Kotovo, Uglich region. When Bishop Vasily (Preobrazhensky) moved to Kotovo, Yegor Yegorovich sometimes began to participate in the bishop’s secret services.

Yegor Yegorovich was not mistaken in his assessment of church events during the war. “Now they have given some freedom to the Church,” he said. - They authorized the Council and elected a patriarch. But in all this one feels that it was done insincerely. The council and elections were prepared in advance and held without the consent and presence of other patriarchs. Party members don’t like all these retreats from the authorities...” Expelled monks and repressed priests continued to stay in his house. Beggars also loved to visit him; Anastasia Stepanovna fed them.

Yegor Sedov was arrested again on December 24, 1943 by officers of the 2nd Department of the NKVD. The reason for the arrest and the basis for the accusation were the testimony of the previously arrested hieromonk Damaskin (Zhabinsky), who very often visited his house, and the intelligence information collected after that. Yegor Yegorovich was accused of anti-Soviet activities, participation in the work of the counter-revolutionary underground, illegal collaboration with Bishop Vasily (Preobrazhensky), and conducting illegal religious ceremonies.

He was interrogated six times. The investigation lasted 11 months, and interrogations lasted from two to six hours. But Yegor Yegorovich did not agree in any form to take credit for carrying out anti-Soviet activities.

“I do not plead guilty to the charges brought against me. I was not a member of any anti-Soviet organization of churchmen and did not conduct anti-Soviet defeatist agitation, did not slander the leaders of the Soviet government, did not say anything bad against the Soviet regime and did not praise Nazi Germany. <…> I am telling the truth and confirm once again that I did not carry out any anti-Soviet work, and I had no co-workers. <…> I’m telling the truth and I have nothing more to say, since I was not involved in any anti-Soviet activities. <…> I don’t plead guilty to anything,” he testified at every interrogation.

He also did not name any of his acquaintances: “I have no close friends anywhere.” The investigation insisted: “Who is Anna Fedorovna, living at the address: Zagorsk, Gorbushinskaya, 18? - I don't know. – The address was written down by you, why don’t you know your friends? – Yes, I wrote down the address, but I don’t know why I wrote it down, and I can’t say who Anna Fedorovna is. – Name the churchmen with whom you carried out anti-Soviet work. “I don’t have such acquaintances, since I did not carry out anti-Soviet work.” When the question arose about Bishop Afanasy (Sakharov), Yegor Yegorovich, without hiding what everyone knew, proposed a version that completely concealed the true history and content of the relationship dear to him: “Who is Afanasy Grigoryevich Sakharov? – Sakharov Afanasy Grigorievich – priest. Before the war, he lived in the Karelo-Finnish Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic and then, during the evacuation, moved to live in the city of Ishim, Omsk Region. I met him about 20 years ago, when he served as a priest in the city of Vladimir, Ivanovo region. Then I took them to sell potatoes and stayed overnight at their house. His mother always bought potatoes from me, and through her I met Sakharov.”

However, Yegor Yegorovich did not consider it possible, even before the investigation, to bend his soul regarding his attitude towards the repressed ruler: “The investigation knows that you intended to take Bishop Athanasius into custody and sought permission to enter him into the Yaroslavl region, passing him off as your relative. What was your goal with this? – Yes, indeed, I had the intention of taking Sakharov into my care in order to ease his financial situation, since he wrote to me that he lived poorly in the Omsk region. I received the pass and sent it to the city of Ishim. In the application for issuing a pass for Sakharov to travel to me, I called him a relative, but for what purpose I did this, I don’t know. – You are avoiding answering and do not want to tell the truth about your connection with Sakharov in anti-Soviet work. What is the real reason for Sakharov’s intention to come to Tutaev? – For what purpose Sakharov intended to come to live in the Yaroslavl region, I do not know. By helping him in this, I pursued only one goal: to ensure a calm old age for my close friend, whom I valued no less than a close relative.”

Despite the pressure, the investigation did not learn anything new about the fact that repressed priests were constantly visiting the Sedovs’ house, or about holding secret services, or about helping the repressed clergy. Thus, the most important thing in the life of Yegor Yegorovich - his service to the Church - remained hidden. The investigation failed to collect any sufficient grounds to convict Yegor Yegorovich. On October 7, 1944, by the verdict of a Special Meeting at the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the USSR, Yegor Egorovich Sedov was released, the period of pre-trial detention was counted as punishment.

Upon leaving prison, Yegor Yegorovich learned that Bishop Afanasy was arrested in Ishim shortly before him and all the efforts to transfer the bishop to Tutaev remained in vain. Almost ten more years of imprisonment in the camps awaited the sick bishop. For another 10 years, Yegor Yegorovich searched for an opportunity to save him from endless suffering. Released from prison, he did not shut himself up in the house so that he could live out his life unheard and unseen by anyone. But, seeking the release of the bishop, he continued his energetic activities: he wrote petitions to all authorities, and consulted with lawyers.

Three years later, Bishop Athanasius was recognized as disabled, but was kept in a camp. On March 5, 1952, at the end of his term of imprisonment, a Special Meeting at the USSR MGB adopted a resolution to release the bishop and send him to a home for the disabled under the supervision of the MGB. But only two years later, on May 18, 1954, the bishop was transported to the Zubovo-Polyansky home for the disabled. Yegor Yegorovich went to the bishop. Finally we saw each other. We sat on logs and talked about everything that bothered us. After a meeting in a home for the disabled, Bishop Afanasy wrote to him: “The mercy of God be with you, my dear, my dear Georgiy Georgievich!.. I cannot find words to express to you my gratitude, my gratitude, and my love for you. Truly, one can say together with the church hymn writer: “Behold, if the self-brotherly love of Your servants is good and if it is red, O Christ God: for neither do you create a carnal birth for your brethren, but unite the brotherly loving Orthodox faith stronger than carnal kinship...”.”

Having returned, Yegor Yegorovich immediately began to make every effort to finally fulfill his ardent desire to free the bishop; he began to travel to Moscow again, submitting petitions, trusting in God’s favor. I corresponded with the bishop every few days. Many times it seemed that all the efforts were again without result. “I received your Christmas letter,” he wrote to Bishop on January 14, 1955, “but it’s not a joyful one.” [The thing] rides on oxen, and on a turtle, and you all sing: “Do not turn Your face away from Your servant, for I am in sorrow; take in my soul... and deliver me...”, and it’s time to sing: “Who is God great, as God ours, You are God, work miracles...” If there is nothing [in response], then I will write to Saransk that they are silent and are delaying [the decision]. Has this letter been lost?

Finally, in March 1955, he managed to take the completely ill Bishop Athanasius from the nursing home, taking him on bail. The bishop was completely exhausted and could barely walk. Yegor Egorovich carefully brought him to Tutaev, to his home. Until the end of October, the bishop lived in his house, surrounded by the love and care of Anastasia Stepanovna and her daughters Anfisa and Seraphima.

After Bishop Afanasy left for the Vladimir diocese, the Sedov family became sad: “everywhere became empty,” “it seemed like they had lost [something].” But the main thing, as always, is the concern that the Bishop would be better: “From our entire family, the Lord wishes you good health and good living...” in a new place (letter dated October 31, 1955). Their connection was still unbroken. Whenever he could, Yegor Yegorovich went to Vladimir and brought everything necessary for the bishop. When I couldn’t, I wrote letters and sent packages. And the bishop wrote in response, sending parcels for the holidays, which the Yegorovs treasured very much.

In the 1950s, Yegor Yegorovich became the headman of the Resurrection Cathedral in Tutaev. He took care of the temple with love. There was order in everything: he carried out repairs, had everything on the farm, and had enough money in the church. This service was not easy or simple for him. It brought many heavy sorrows and temptations. Whether Yegor Yegorovich wanted to order an iconostasis, buy a house for the clergy, or make repairs to the church, he met with opposition in everything. “I’m already exhausted,” he wrote to Bishop Athanasius, “no peace, no peace...” (letter dated May 2, 1956), “I’m already very sick...” (letter dated May 14, 1956), “how I’m tired of these quarrels, worse than anything in the world” (letter dated November 20, 1956). And on the feast of the Nativity of Christ, “[the abbot] hit me in the head like a baton... I had a headache the whole holiday... I had to give up myself and submit my resignation. It’s just that it’s scary to abandon the Savior yourself, and the people don’t tell you to…” (letter dated January 15, 1957). Yegor Egorovich wrote to Bishop Athanasius about all his affairs, news and troubles in Petushki, asking for advice and prayerful help: “I, a great sinner, ask for your holy prayers and blessings and kiss you, Egor, who loves you with all his heart.” And the bishop helped with advice, deed and prayer.

When, after the death of Yegor Yegorovich, his daughter Anfisa Yegorovna was offered to become the head of the cathedral, Sister Seraphima strenuously dissuaded her: “Don’t get up,” I say, “you’ll cry like daddy.”

In 1959, during the repair of the wall of the temple, three interconnected ladders fell on Yegor Yegorovich’s head. He walked home on his own, but then fell ill. I was ill for about a year. At first he hoped to get better, he wrote to Bishop Afanasy that he really wanted to come, but could not - he had no strength, he invited Vladyka to visit, asked to send a prescription for heart medicine, otherwise the doctors could not find something correctly... Vladyka wrote to response, they were very happy about his letter, read it and “all four cried.”

Egor Egorovich Sedov not long before his death. In the top row are his daughters: Seraphim (left) and Anfisa (right).

Egor Egorovich died on December 16, 1960. The funeral service for St. Nicholas was performed by two priests, a deacon and all the singers. At the beginning of the funeral service, a large beautiful butterfly flew out from the icon of the Savior[2] (“where did it come from?”[3]). She flew in front of the priest and landed on her hands folded on the chest of the deceased. Father John, who served the funeral service, loved order. “Take the butterfly away,” he said. But no one touched her. The butterfly sat, fluttering its wings, then rose and flew to the icon of the Savior, and flew back from the icon and sat on Yegor Yegorovich’s left shoulder. Then she took off again and again flew to the image of the Savior and for the third time flew up to the deceased, but only circled over him and flew away to the same icon. “Everyone was very surprised that such a miracle had [never] happened before”[4]. During the wake, a butterfly flew around the house. On the fortieth day and the anniversary of her death, she flew again both to the temple and home. She was not seen later.

On October 15/28, 2000, on the day of remembrance of the holy confessor Afanasy (Sakharov), a solemn transfer of his holy relics took place in Vladimir. During this celebration, in the State Archives of the Yaroslavl Region, on the table in front of one of the archivists, there was a huge investigative file from 1943–1944. Wanting to look at the case materials, he opened it and immediately came to a page where the previously unknown name of the prisoner was written: “accused Egor Yegorovich Sedov.” As if at the hour of his glorification, Saint Athanasius said with concern: “Where is Yegor Egorovich? I want him to share with me the joy of the church,” and called him out of oblivion. Soon after this, Yegor Yegorovich was canonized as a holy confessor by the Russian Orthodox Church.

In the fall of 2001, the last daughter of Yegor Yegorovich Seraphim once saw her father in a dream. He walked - so quickly and joyfully - from the cemetery to the temple. And in the morning she was invited to participate in the discovery of his holy relics.

Now the relics of confessor George, discovered on December 1, rest in the Resurrection Cathedral of Tutaev.

Main sources:

GAYAO. F. R–36987. Op. 2. D. S–11916; Prayer will save us all. M: PSTBI Publishing House, 2000. [1]. Bishop Afanasy (Sakharov) of Kovrov was canonized by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000. The memory of the saint is celebrated on October 15. [2]. The miraculous image of the Savior, shoulder-length, huge, 15th century, the main shrine of the Tutaevsky Cathedral and one of the most revered in the Volga region. [3]. From a letter from Serafima Egorovna. [4]. Right there.

Prayers

Troparion to Saint George of Romanovo-Borisoglebsky, Confessor

Having founded your life on the rock of faith, confessor Saint George, you stood firm in the days of fierce temptation, you laid down your soul for the Church, for your others, you served much suffering. To the dear Saint Athanasius, with him you now stand before the Throne of God, praying to Christ the Savior for the salvation of our souls.

Translation: Having founded your life on the rock of faith, confessor Saint George, you stood firm in the days of cruel trials, gave your life for the Church, for your friends (John 15:13), you served the long-suffering Saint Athanasius, with him you now stand before the Throne of God, Praying to Christ the Savior for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion to Saint George of Romanovo-Borisoglebsky, confessor, tone 4

Today the glorious land of Yaroslavl rejoices, having found your holy relics, confessor Saint George. You were betrayed by the false shepherd to the power of God, having been tempted by bonds and deprivations, you rejected the evil one through the simplicity and firmness of your wisdom. Having served the suffering Church, her persecuted children, you have adorned the temples of God with your ministerial service. The glory of the Church has appeared, for which we continually pray, that Christ may strengthen it unshakably.

Days of remembrance: December 1 (discovery of relics) and December 16

“He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep and laid the foundation on the rock; why, when the flood happened and the water came over this house, it could not shake it, because it was founded on rock.” (Luke 6:48).

Yegor Egorovich Sedov belonged to that wonderful type of Russian people, whose clarity and simplicity of soul made all their actions thorough and every step reliable. Such people were not deceived by the substitution of life values, did not change their life principles out of fear, did not lose integrity, and remained faithful to the end. Russia withstood their fortress during years of unprecedented cruelty.

Egor Sedov was born in 1883 into a peasant family in the village of Churilovo, Yuryev-Polsky district, Vladimir province. He had two younger sisters - Maria and Evdokia. The life of the Sedov family was connected with the life of the Church and rooted in it. Father, Yegor Sedov Sr., inherited and established Russian Orthodox traditions in the family. Every Sunday and on all church holidays he went to church. And he did this not because it was supposed to be so, but out of his heart’s disposition - he loved Divine services. The nearest church was in the village of Lykovo, three kilometers from the house; it was a parish church for them. But Yegor Sedov especially loved to pray in the cathedral in the city of Vladimir. I went there quite often, although the city was forty kilometers away. When the children grew up, he began to take them with him. It happened that children were walking, and the father overtook them, his soul was so eager for the temple, his soul was in a hurry.

The only son in the family, Yegor Jr., became, like his father, a parishioner of the Lykov Church and, like his father, he joyfully went to pray at the Vladimir Cathedral. The hospitable house of the Sedovs was often visited by priests from Vladimir and monks.

Yegor learned to read and write, like all peasant children, in the family and from his youth was engaged in peasant labor.

In 1907, Yegor Egorovich married Anastasia Stepanovna. Five children were born into their family: daughters Anna, Maria, Anfisa, Seraphima and son Mikhail. Everyone went to church. Yegor Yegorovich harnessed the horse, put the kids in the sleigh and took them to Lykovo. On Sundays and on church holidays, even under Soviet rule, I never worked, fulfilling the commandment of God: “So do not look for what you will eat or what you will drink, and do not worry, because the people of this world are looking for all this; But your Father knows that you need this; Seek above all the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you” (Luke 12:29-31). Yegor Yegorovich himself did everything with prayer.

Yegor Egorovich was a man of tall stature, strong build and health, a good owner and a caring family man. He had a large farm: two horses, a cow, a vegetable garden, an apiary. By Soviet standards, it was assessed as average. It required constant application of labor. Whether the whole family also worked, children helped adults from childhood. The harvests on their plot were always better than those of their neighbors. “Everyone failed, but we did,” his daughter recalled.

He never joined collective farms.

When the arrests of the clergy began, priests and monks, mostly expelled from churches and monasteries, began to visit the Sedov house even more often in search of temporary shelter and consolation. They came at dusk so that no one would see. Yegor Yegorovich greeted everyone; Anastasia Stepanovna will feed you, give you something to drink, or even dress you and let you spend the night. The Sedovs' garden was very large. The guests went to the apiary and prayed there without witnesses.

Yegor Yegorovich was a man deeply devoted to the Church. The events that took place in it worried him. And it so happened that the Lord sent him a pilot in the approaching storm. In 1918, Hieromonk Afanasy (Sakharov) was sent to the Vladimir diocese by the hierarchy, who first served as a teacher at the Vladimir Theological Seminary. In 1920, he was elevated to the rank of archmandrite and appointed rector of the Vladimir Nativity Monastery. It is unknown under what circumstances Yegor Yegorovich met Father Afanasy, but for the church warden, who tirelessly helped the clergy of churches and monasteries, it was inevitable. Very soon a relationship of deep mutual love developed between them. Yegor Yegorovich became a close and devoted friend and, possibly, the spiritual son of Father Afanasy.

On June 27, 1921, Archimandrite Afanasy (Sakharov) was consecrated Bishop of Kovrov,

vicar of the Vladimir diocese, and less than a year later his confessional path began. Yegor Yegorovich immediately took upon himself the care of Vladyka, providing possible material assistance during the periods of his imprisonment.

In the intervals between prisons and exiles, Vladyka returned to serve in Vladimir. There is no doubt that Bishop Afanasy influenced the formation of Yegor Yegorovich’s church orientation; they were of the same spirit - the Lykovsky Church was never Renovationist, and a few years later Yegor Yegorovich would show that he belonged to those who did not remember.

Coming to Vladimir, Yegor Yegorovich always stayed overnight in the Vladyka’s house. And Bishop Afanasy, when business permitted, came to the Sedovs. He served in the Lykovskaya church and stayed in Churilovo. “He blessed the children, taught them to pray, said that they should sing in the choir. We children loved him very much. How good he was! Dad called him: “Holy Master.” And we all started calling him that. And now he is glorified by the Church,” recalls Sima - Serafima Egorovna Sedova.

On one of these visits, on the day of Angel Yegor Yegorovich, at a service in Lykovo, Vladyka, in a sermon on the Great Martyr George the Victorious, spoke about the courage of confessing faith, about fidelity to Christ, about rejection of renovationism. On January 2, 1926, when Vladyka was arrested for the ninth time, he was accused of this sermon. On January 20, Bishop Afanasy wrote from prison to his mother Matrona Andreevna Sakharova: “... In conclusion, investigator Efimov asked if I could indicate witnesses who would refute the accusation under Article 69. [anti-Soviet agitation in a sermon in Lykovo]. Of course, I didn’t indicate anyone - why make people worry. But if there [in Lykovo] there was someone who was kind and would not be afraid to come to this wonderful institution and refute the denunciation, that would be very important. Maybe you can somehow let Lykovo know.” Matrona Andreevna herself twice submitted applications to the Vladimir OGPU. And in Lykovo a “good man” was found. On February 15, at a parish meeting of the church in the village of Lykovo, chaired by elder Yegor Sedov, it was decided to petition the Vladimir OGPU for the release of Bishop Afanasy Sakharov from prison. Yegor Yegorovich was authorized by the assembly to take this citizen’s petition to Vladimir. On March 5, the investigation was closed and Vladyka was released.

In 1927, the long-term imprisonment of Bishop Athanasius began. The participation and help of Yegor Yegorovich accompanied the Vladyka all these years. The connection between them was never interrupted, they corresponded regularly, Yegor Yegorovich was aware of the events of the long-suffering life of the imprisoned bishop, and sent him the necessary things, food and money.

In addition, at a time when people began to hide their faith, were afraid to come to church, and excluded all communication with the clergy from their lives, Yegor Yegorovich delivered honey from his apiary, potatoes and other products to clergy imprisoned in city prisons Vladimir, and to the starving priests in the parishes in Vladimir and Yuryev-Polsky. And the supplies did not decrease, there was enough for everyone, and the family was always well-fed. God sent abundance.

During the period of collectivization, Yegor Yegorovich’s cousin served as a representative from the village council for the village of Churi-lovo. Yegor Yegorovich’s churchliness and the well-being of his family became the reason for his brother-plenipotentiary’s hostility towards him. This hostility was so great that in 1932 his brother petitioned that Yegor Yegorovich be given a firm task, which he could not fulfill. The petition was granted and Yegor Yegorovich was dispossessed, he was sentenced to one year of forced labor, and his entire household was confiscated. The family was left without a breadwinner. Anastasia Stepanovna had to look for help to plow the land.

Yegor Yegorovich’s eldest daughter Maria married a parishioner of the Lykovo church. They got married despite the bullying and ridicule of the village residents. The son-in-law advised Anastasia Stepanovna to leave Churilov. He offered to settle in Yaroslavla. The family moved and found a house beyond the Volga. But it turned out that living there was very cramped and difficult, and work was found only on the other side. The son-in-law went to consult the priest: where to move? He said: “Move to Tutaev, I have friends there. They’ll buy you a house, give you the money later.” And so they did.

In 1933, after the end of his sentence, Yegor Yegorovich also did not want to return to the village of Churilovo and moved to the village of Kozlovo, Rostov district, Yaroslavl region, where, having nothing, he hired himself as a shepherd. In 1936, with the money he earned, he bought a house in Tutaev and moved there himself. In Tutaev, his daughter Anfisa worked at the Tulma factory. Yegor Yegorovich also got a job at this factory to look after horses. Serafima Egorovna said: “It used to be that he would come to the stable, and the horses, as soon as they heard his voice, would all laugh! The horses loved him too.”

Having settled in Tutaev, Yegor Yegorovich met members of the community of the Old Tikhon orientation at the church in the village of Kotovo, Uglich region, and became its member. When Bishop Vasily (Preobrazhensky) moved to Kotovo, he sometimes began to participate in the bishop’s secret services.

Yegor Yegorovich was not mistaken in his assessment of church events during the war. “Now they have given some freedom to the Church,” he said. — They authorized the council and elected a patriarch. But in all this one feels that it was not done sincerely. The council and elections were prepared in advance and were held without the consent and presence of other patriarchs. Party members don’t like all these retreats from the authorities...”

Expelled monks and repressed priests continued to stay in his house. Beggars also loved to visit him; Anastasia Stepanovna fed them.

He was arrested again on December 24, 1943 by officers of the 2nd Department of the NKVD. The reason for the arrest and the basis for the accusation were the testimony of the previously arrested hieromonk Damaskin (Zhabinsky), who very often visited his house, and the intelligence information collected after that. Yegor Yegorovich was accused of anti-Soviet activities, participation in the work of the counter-revolutionary underground, illegal collaboration with Bishop Vasily (Preobrazhensky), and conducting illegal religious ceremonies.

He was interrogated six times. The investigation lasted eleven months, and interrogations lasted from two to six hours. But Yegor Yegorovich did not agree in any form to take credit for carrying out anti-Soviet activities.

“I do not plead guilty to the charges brought against me. I was not a member of any anti-Soviet organization of churchmen, and I did not conduct anti-Soviet defeatist agitation, I did not slander the leaders of the Soviet government, I did not say anything bad against the Soviet government, and I did not praise Nazi Germany.

I am telling the truth, and I confirm once again that I did not carry out any anti-Soviet work, and I had no co-workers.

I am telling the truth, and I have nothing more to say, since I was not involved in any anti-Soviet activities.

I don’t plead guilty to anything,” he testified at every interrogation.

He also did not name any of his acquaintances: “I have no close friends anywhere.” The investigation insisted:

- Who is Anna Fedorovna, who lives at the address in the mountains. Zagorsk, Gorbushinskaya 18?

- I don't know.

— The address was written down by you, why don’t you know your friends?

- Yes, I wrote down the address, but I don’t know why I wrote it down and who Anna Feodorovna is, I can’t say.

— Name the churchmen with whom you carried out anti-Soviet work.

— I don’t have such acquaintances, since I did not carry out anti-Soviet work.

When the question arose about Bishop Afanasy (Sakharov), Yegor Yegorovich, without hiding what everyone knew, proposed a version that completely concealed the true history and content of the relationship dear to him:

—Who is Sakharov Afanasy Grigorievich?

— Afanasy Grigorievich Sakharov is a priest. Before the war, he lived in the Karelo-Finnish Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic and then, during the evacuation, moved to live in the city of Ishim, Omsk region. I met him twenty years ago, when he served as a priest in the city of Vladimir, Ivanovo region. Then I took them to sell potatoes and stayed overnight at their house. His mother always bought potatoes from me, and through her I met Sakharov.

However, Yegor Yegorovich did not consider it possible, even before the investigation, to bend his soul regarding his attitude towards the repressed Vladyka:

— The investigation knows that you intended to take Bishop Athanasius into custody and sought permission for him to enter the Yaroslavl region, passing him off as your relative. What goal did you pursue with this?

- Yes, indeed, I had the intention of taking Sakharov into my care in order to ease his financial situation, since he wrote to me that he lives poorly in the Omsk region. I received the pass and sent it to the city of Ishim. In the application for issuing a pass for Sakharov to travel to me, I called him a relative, but for what purpose I did this, I don’t know.

“You are avoiding answering and do not want to tell the truth about your connection with Sakharov in anti-Soviet work.” What is the real reason for Sakharov’s intention to come to Tutaev?

— For what purpose Sakharov intended to come to live in the Yaroslavl region, I do not know. By helping him in this, I pursued only one goal: to ensure a calm old age for my close friend, whom I valued no less than a close relative.

Despite all the pressure from the investigation, he did not know anything new, neither about the fact that repressed priests were constantly in the Sedovs’ house, nor about holding secret services, nor about helping the repressed clergy. Thus, the most important thing in the life of Yegor Yegorovich - his service to the Church - remained hidden.

The investigation was unable to collect any sufficient grounds to convict Yegor Yegorovich. On October 7, 1944, by the verdict of the Special Meeting of the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the USSR, Egor Yegorovich Sedov was released, the period of pre-trial detention was counted as punishment.

Upon leaving prison, Yegor Yegorovich learned that Bishop Afanasy had been arrested in Ishim shortly before him. Almost ten more years of imprisonment in the camps awaited the sick Vladyka. For another ten years, Yegor Yegorovich searched for an opportunity to save him from endless suffering. Three years later, Bishop Athanasius was recognized as disabled, but was kept in a camp. On March 5, 1952, at the end of his term of imprisonment, a Special Meeting at the USSR MGB adopted a resolution to release Vladyka and send him to a nursing home under the supervision of the MGB. But only two years later, on May 18, 1954, the bishop was transported to the Zubovo-Polyansky home for the disabled. Yegor Egorovich went to Vladyka. Finally, we saw each other. They sat on logs and talked about everything that was painful... After a meeting in the home for the disabled, Vladyka Afanasy wrote to him: “God’s mercy be with you, my dear, my dear Georgy Georgievich!... I can’t find words to express to you and my gratitude, and my appreciation, and my love for you. Truly one can say together with the church hymnographer: Behold, how good and how red is the self-brotherly love of Thy servants, O Christ God: for thou shalt not create a carnal birth for the brethren, but unite the brotherly loving Orthodox faith stronger than carnal kinship...” Having returned, Yegor Yegorovich immediately began to make every effort to fulfill his ardent desire and free the bishop. In March 1955, he managed to take Vladyka into custody from the nursing home. The bishop was completely exhausted and could barely walk. Yegor Egorovich carefully brought him to Tutaev, to his home. Bishop Athanasius called him his guardian. Until the end of October, Vladyka lived in the Sedovs’ house, surrounded by the care of Anastasia Stepanovna and her daughters Anfisa and Seraphima. But even after leaving for the Vladimir diocese, his connection with the Sedov family was not interrupted until the end of his life.

In the fifties, Yegor Yegorovich became the headman of the Resurrection Cathedral in Tutaev. He took care of the temple with love. There was order in everything, and he carried out repairs, and had everything in the household, and there was enough money in the temple. This service was not easy or simple. It brought many heavy sorrows and temptations. Yegor Yegorovich wrote about them to Bishop Athanasius in Petushki, asking for advice and prayerful help. When, after the death of Yegor Yegorovich, his daughter Anfisa Yegorovna was offered to become the head of the cathedral, Sister Seraphima strongly dissuaded her: “Don’t get up,” I say, “you’ll cry like Tyatya.” In 1959, during the renovation of the temple wall, three interconnected ladders fell on it. Yegor Yegorovich reached home on his own, but then fell ill. He was ill for about a year. At first I hoped to get better, I wrote to Bishop Athanasius that he really wanted to come, but he couldn’t - he didn’t have the strength, he invited Vladyka to visit, asked to send a prescription for heart medicine, otherwise the doctors couldn’t find something properly... Vladyka wrote in response, his letters were very happy, they read them and “all four cried.”

I failed to recover. Anastasia Stepanovna was grieving, and Yegor Yegorovich persuaded her: “Apparently, this is what God wants.” “Dad... was very sick,” Sima’s daughter wrote to Vladyka, “he never groaned with us, he was a great patient. But he could neither sit nor lie down - he had dropsy and abscesses. Dad kept asking: “Let me go, let me go,” and I told him: “Where should I let you go?” He says: “Home, to the next world,” he kept saying, more than once, he kept asking, he said: “I’m tired of here, it’s better there.” At 10 o'clock in the evening he shouted: “Angel! Angel!”, and the next day he died.” Egor Egorovich died on December 16, 1960. The funeral service for St. Nicholas was performed by two priests, a deacon and all the singers. At the beginning of the funeral service, a large beautiful butterfly flew out from the icon of the Savior (“where did it come from?”). She flew in front of the priest and landed on her hands folded on the chest of the deceased. Father John, who served the funeral service, loved order. “Take the butterfly away,” he said. But no one touched her. The butterfly sat, fluttering its wings, then rose and flew to the icon of the Savior, and flew back from the icon and sat on Yegor Yegorovich’s left shoulder. Then she took off again and again flew to the image of the Savior, and for the third time she flew up to the deceased, but only circled over him and flew away to the same icon. “Everyone was very surprised that such a miracle did not happen.” During the wake, a butterfly flew around the house. On the fortieth day and the anniversary of her death, she flew again both to the temple and home. She was not seen later.

After the death of Yegor Yegorovich, everyone was afraid to take the place of headman of the Resurrection Cathedral. Anfisa Egorovna received the blessing to take care of the temple “until they drive her away,” and agreed.

Egor Egorovich Sedov was rehabilitated on April 27, 1989.

I.G. Menkova

Finding the holy relics of Confessor George

The discovery of the holy relics of confessor George took place on December 1, 2001 at the city cemetery, where after the Divine Liturgy in the Resurrection Cathedral, the dean of the Tutaevsky district, Archpriest Nikolai Likhomanov (now Bishop of Rybinsk and Danilovsky Veniamin), the dean of the Rybinsk district, Archpriest Vasily Denisov, representatives of the city authorities, and parishioners of the cathedral came , daughter of the newly glorified saint Seraphim Egorovna, as well as relatives of confessor George.

This festive event was described in the December 2001 issue of the Sobor newspaper (No. 11):

“After a prayer service to the holy confessor George, they began to dig with great reverence. Two hours later, the first coffin board appeared under the shovel. It took a lot of time to separate the wooden body from the clay and clear the surface of the coffin so that soil would not get inside. The parts of the coffin, which are now a shrine, were collected together with the earth in a special box. The coffin was secured with ropes, and even with scarves and scarves, in order to carefully lift it up. When the relics of St. George were lifted from the grave, many present felt a fragrance. The coffin, covered with a white blanket, was touched by everyone who had been praying at the grave for so long on this frosty day and was expecting a great event.

With chants, priests and laity carried holy relics in their hands throughout the snow-covered city. The former headman of the Resurrection Cathedral, who acquired holiness from the Lord, returned to his native church for prayerful worship and spiritual joy for current and future parishioners.”

The reliquary with the holy relics of Confessor George currently resides in the Resurrection Cathedral.

Troparion to the Holy Confessor George, chapter 4:

Having founded your life on the rock of faith / confessor Saint George, / you stood firm in the days of fierce temptation / you laid down your soul for the Church, for your friends. / You served the long-suffering Saint Athanasius, / with him you now stand before the Throne of God // praying to Christ the Savior for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion, ch. 4:

Today the glorious land of Yaroslavl rejoices / has found your holy relics. / Confessor Saint George / betrayed by the false shepherd to the power of the godless. / Having been tempted by bonds and deprivations, / you rejected the wisdom of the evil one with the simplicity and firmness of wisdom. / Serving the suffering Church, Her persecuted children, / you adorned the temples of God with your ministerial service. / You appeared to the glory of the Church, / pray for her unceasingly, // yes Christ will unshakably confirm you.

Venerable George the Confessor of Danilovsky the Wonderworker

Reverend Confessor Georgy (Gerasim Dmitrievich Lavrov) was born on February 28, 1868 in the village of Kasimovka, Lama volost, Yeletsky district, Oryol province, into a peasant family. From his home, Gerasim brought deep faith in God and love for the Holy Church.

July 4 is the day of memory of the Reverend Confessor Archimandrite Georgy (Lavrov)

Before the Danilov Monastery, for 24 years, from 1890 to 1914, Fr. George labored in Optina Pustyn. instructions to enter Optina in childhood from the shrine of St. Sergius: the boy prayed that the monk would grant him happiness in life, and in response he heard in his soul the words: “Go to Optina.”

In 1890, Gerasim went on foot to Optina. A month later he arrived at the monastery and was accepted for voluntary obedience. On October 10, 1898, he was identified as a member of the brotherhood of the monastery, on June 23, 1899, he was tonsured a monk with the name George (in honor of the Holy Great Martyr George) and on October 24, 1902, he was ordained a hierodeacon.

In the monastery, Father George performed mainly economic obediences. External labors were combined with spiritual work, with complete, unreasoning obedience to the elders.

Thus, the future confessor of Christ grew from strength to strength (Eph. 4:13), and by the time the time came to leave the walls of Optina Pustyn, he was already a proven monk, ready to work in the field of Christ.

On January 2, 1914, Hierodeacon Georgy was transferred to the Meshchovsky St. George Monastery and by the Decree of the Holy Synod of October 31, 1915, he was appointed to the position of rector with ordination to the rank of hieromonk. On January 3 of the same year he was awarded a gaiter.

Hieromonk Georgy ruled the Meshchovsky monastery during the difficult times of the world war and revolution. In this he was helped by practical experience and the ability to manage wisely, acquired in Optina, kindness and wisdom in relations with people. On November 2, 1917, for his work as a rector, Father George was awarded the pectoral cross by the Holy Synod. In the same year, the Meshchovo St. George Monastery was “given the blessing of the Holy Synod with the issuance of a certificate to this effect... for the merits... of the monastery due to wartime circumstances.”

On December 9, 1918, Hieromonk George was arrested, and on June 4, 1919, he was sentenced to death. The night before the execution, while praying, he had a vision that he and six of his fellow prisoners, also sentenced to death, would remain alive. And so, by the grace of God, it happened. To carry out the sentence, death row prisoners were placed in a carriage.

At the Tikhonova Pustyn station, where this carriage arrived, it was mistakenly attached to a train going not to Kaluga, as expected, but to Moscow, where the prisoners were transported to the Tagansk prison. While the circumstances were being clarified, an amnesty was declared, and everyone remained alive. According to the amnesty of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee of November 5, 1919, the execution was replaced by five years of imprisonment, which Father Georgy served in Butyrskaya and Taganskaya prisons.

While in prison, Father Georgy served as a nurse and was a comforting elder for many prisoners. He did not spare himself, alleviating the physical and mental suffering of prisoners.

Venerable George the Confessor of Danilovsky the Wonderworker

In the Tagansk prison at that time there were the Hieromartyr Metropolitan of Kazan and Sviyazhsk Kirill (Smirnov, † November 7, 1937) and the rector of the Moscow Danilov Monastery, Archbishop Theodore (Pozdeevsky, † October 10, 1937). The virtues of Hieromonk George were not hidden from the bishop-confessors, and this was of great importance for his future life. Metropolitan Kirill, noticing in him the gracious gift of reasoning and love, blessed Father George for eldership, and Archbishop Theodore accepted him into the Danilov Monastery in 1922, taking the elder “on bail.”

So in 1922, Hieromonk George was released and became a monk of the Danilov Monastery, where he was appointed to the position of fraternal confessor. His obedience was also to accept the confession of parishioners.

Muscovites loved Father Danilov and revered him for his gift of consolation and insight. Among his spiritual children there were educated people, prominent scientists, and ordinary people; the old man was always surrounded by youth. Archimandrite George was also visited by the bishops who lived in Danilov at that time. Many of the elder’s spiritual children suffered persecution for their faith. Among them are the holy martyrs Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov), Archpriest Vladimir Ambartsumov, Hieromonk Pavel (Troitsky) and others.

Elder George had an extraordinary gift of love, kindness, mercy, and helped people with advice, deeds, and prayer. There are many testimonies of his miraculous prayerful help to those in need.

Archimandrite George paid exceptional attention to youth. “A person’s path is formed from a young age, and then it is difficult to change it,” he said. The elder directed many young men and women to the path of faith, which in those years was confessional.

Reverend Confessor Georgy Danilovsky (1868-1932)

Kontakion 1

Chosen by the Lord Jesus, a new passion-bearer and wonderful prayer book, Reverend Our Father George, praise and adornment to the monastery of Danilo, glorifying your honest deeds and your suffering for Christ, we bring you a song of praise: Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Ikos 1

Having foreseen the angel-like kindness of your soul, the Creator accepts your pure prayer to all creation and mysteriously from the relics of the Hegumen of the Russian land Sergius shows you the way to Optina Pustyn, even if you rushed with all your soul, for this reason we praise you: Rejoice, chosen by the prayer of your mother as a monk; Rejoice, called by the grace of God. Rejoice, you have renounced the youth of the world; Rejoice, you who appear like the incorporeal. Rejoice, flower of the garden of paradise; Rejoice, source of sweet consolation. Rejoice, purified in the crucible of temptations; Rejoice, thou who has led many souls to salvation. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 2

Seeing you, the abbot of the lad, who was still small, had no desire to accept you into the monastery, but through the prayer of St. Ambrose and the insistence of his mother, he begged you to change your will and eat with the monks to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

The mind is perspicacious in acquisition, having undergone monastic obedience, so that in every matter you will be corrected, and moreover, learn humility and obedience. Yes, and we, seeing your ascension from strength to strength, will reject the burden of vain cares and diligently cry out to you: Rejoice, you who bear the wounds of the Lord on your body; Rejoice, having submitted to the will of God. Rejoice, purified by repentance; Rejoice, sanctified by good deeds. Rejoice, lover of life equal to the angels to the end; Rejoice, you who bow to the mercy of Christ. Rejoice, honorable dwelling of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, entertainment worthy of angels. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 3

The power of the Most High strengthened you, blessed one, when the Lord saw you worthy of the rank of Angel, but you, tonsure from the abbot, as from Christ, received, you put on your heart the words of eternal life and you mentally rushed to heaven, where the Angels sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having the Lord's providence for the salvation of all flesh, make you the rector of the monastery of Meshchestey, thereby demonstrating your high virtues, and you also care about the brethren and set up the monastery splendidly and hear from us this: Rejoice, good builder of the monastery; Rejoice, the guardian has a vigorous shower. Rejoice, you who labor for God in every place; Rejoice, being freed from passions. Rejoice, shepherd appointed by God; Rejoice, now glorified by the flock. Rejoice, bright leader; Rejoice, meek adornment of the novice. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 4

The whole Russian Church was shaken by the storm of godless persecution, but your concern was not only for the brethren, but also for the surrounding people, when you secretly brought bags of flour to the courtyard, urging everyone to sing gratefully to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing the nearby villages, like the desecration of the monastery of the Meshchovs, and you yourself were in chains and received death from evil slander, you were very sad, otherwise the Lord would not leave you. But send as assurance of the salvation of your mother and the merchant who had previously died, whom you guided to eternal life and who you saved his family from ruin. Thus we bring you praise: Rejoice, heard in tearful prayer; Rejoice, merciful one, having received mercy from the Lord. Rejoice, confident in the miraculous vision of salvation; Rejoice, for your good deeds are not forgotten before God. Rejoice, prayer is an inexhaustible treasure; Rejoice, inscrutable wealth of love. Rejoice, for for the sake of you and your fellow prisoners the Lord has mercy; Rejoice, for these were your spiritual children. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 5

The Lord revealed a rich source of healing to you in prison, Reverend George, when you learned the cunning of medicine, and you also brought great deliverance to the suffering, healing spiritual wounds along with physical wounds, for this reason I sang in my bonds: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing you, the Most Reverend Kirill, a great caretaker of souls, bless you for the feat of eldership, but you had the will to serve them with those suffering in prison until the end of your stay. We, marveling at your will, cry out: Rejoice, ever-flowing source of compassion; Rejoice, immaculate teacher of the Mysteries of Christ. Rejoice, partaker of God’s economy; Rejoice, partaker of the glory of the Lord. Rejoice, firm hope in the storm of unbelief; Rejoice, quick consolation in the darkness of bitterness. Rejoice, thou who wisely pass through the night of this life; Rejoice, foretelling of the unevening day of the Kingdom of God. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 6

The Most Reverend Theodore, seeing you as a preacher of piety and confessor, vouchsafes you from prison and specially arranges for you in the monastery of Danilov, and there you will perform your service and all the people of Moscow will sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Rising in the monastery of Danilov, like a many-bright lamp, the Monk George in the days of great unrest and unbelief that swept through our country, showing everyone the path of salvation and gathering his chicks like a kokosh under the krill, and teach them to give back to the Gods and to guard the true faith without a doubt, and we too We cry now: Rejoice, instruct us on the right path; Rejoice, proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice, humble teacher; Rejoice, hidden prayer book. Rejoice, receptacle of the love of Christ; Rejoice, a haven for the measure of life. Rejoice, herald of the joys of heaven; Rejoice, true evangelist of deliverance. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 7

Although your flock will be saved and come to perfect understanding, you were a storehouse of wisdom and mercy for everyone, so that you won everyone and brought them to Christ who sing: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

The enemy of the human race has raised a new attack against you, although he could separate you from your flock and completely destroy you, but he succeeded in nothing, for I did not leave you for your children in a distant country, and moreover, I know your prayer cover, since there is no deprivation for those who love the Lord, so do we We cry with them: Rejoice, spiritual father, do not forsake your children; Rejoice, intercede for us all with prayer. Rejoice, strengthened by patience; Rejoice, protected by meekness. Rejoice, love teacher of the Gospel; Rejoice, most honest guardian of chastity. Rejoice, for your children will seek the Lord; Rejoice, for the Angels rejoice over you. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 8

It is wonderful and wonderful to see your prayer service on the Kazakh land, for you have unceasingly performed services and God’s mercy on people, whom the Lord gave you to eat, you attracted them, so that we all sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

You were all sanctified by God and desiring to be with Christ more than anyone else, also enduring hardships, you were alien to the fear of mortals and strange on earth, rushing towards the Heavenly Fatherland, so receive from us this: Rejoice, thou who has acquired the grace of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, having become like Christ in all respects. Rejoice, you who did not have to bow your head; Rejoice, meek one who endured exile. Rejoice, beloved Heavenly Fatherland; Rejoice, thou who has accomplished the earthly journey well. Rejoice, think of a stranger for yourself; Rejoice, you provide eternal shelter for your soul. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 9

All human wisdom falls silent when Divine consolation finds, so we cannot speak of the light of Tavorstem, the whole heaven illuminating on the feast of the Transfiguration, only revealed to you and your spiritual daughter, singing: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

Even though the prophets of many things were able to count your hardships, they do not understand your long-suffering, when the last illness came upon you, but you suffered all the pain for your children, who suffered with you. To this we cry to you: Rejoice, you who loved your neighbors more than yourself; Rejoice, having adorned yourself with bloodless martyrdom. Rejoice, you who have trampled down bodily uprisings; Rejoice, jealous of Divine dispassion. Rejoice, you who have delighted the Kingdom of God within yourself; Rejoice, you laid down your soul for righteousness’ sake. Rejoice, rule of faith and piety; Rejoice, joy of Christ's gospel. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 10

I want to save your soul, to absolve you all the way from your sins and give you communion, and the Lord also vouchsafes you to die with the Holy Cup in your hand, so that those of little faith may know that the death of His saints is honorable before the Lord, and let Him be called: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

The wall is insurmountable to your child and after death you are sometimes seen in a dreamy vision, sometimes you console him with a visible coming, lest in this life of much sorrow they should not be orphaned and sad, calling to you: Rejoice, having promised to hear everyone who comes to you; Rejoice, grant healing to the sick. Rejoice, take away sorrow from our hearts; Rejoice, consume sinful sorrow. Rejoice, great consolation in troubles; Rejoice, help for those who are weak is not difficult. Rejoice, an appeal in passionate struggle; Rejoice, there is speedy repentance from negligence. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 11

The Russian Church today brings a new song, glorifying its passion-bearers and confessors, its saints, monastics and laymen, and sighs for the sins of its children, that Christ the Lord, who built the Church on the blood of His martyr, and ours, will cleanse our sins and have mercy on all who call upon Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The ever-burning lamp has again found the monastery of Danilov as a refuge for you, blessed George, in it now you rest with your relics and listen to everyone calling you: Rejoice, you who live in the Heavenly Chertosis; Rejoice, constantly singing to the Lord. Rejoice, vigilant guardian of your monastery; Rejoice, you who dwell in her with your relics. Rejoice, for through you Christ is glorified; Rejoice, for through you the underworld is put to shame. Rejoice, companion of the venerables; Rejoice, fellow martyr. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 12

Ask us for grace from the Creator and God, who resort to your protection and seek your spiritual guidance to sing with you: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your many deeds, reverence coupled with confession, spirituality with unceasing prayer, preaching and inner silence, we resort to your effective prayer, with which you restore us from relaxation and direct us on the path of repentance, pleasing you: Rejoice, for you stand before the King of Heaven; Rejoice, for you intercede for all of us with warmth. Rejoice, wise teacher of monks; Rejoice, kind novice abbot. Rejoice, dear father's child; Rejoice, vigilant prayer book for those who ask. Rejoice, delight of pious people; Rejoice, fertilizer for the monastics. Rejoice, Reverend George, confessor of Christ.

Kontakion 13

O sacred head, Reverend Father George, keeper of the Danilov monastery, who loved Christ God from youth, and pleased Him with good deeds, who observed the Orthodox faith until death, and now stands before the Throne of God, accept this little praise from those who honor you, and pray to the Lord about the Church and our Fatherland, and about those who live in it by faith, so that salvation has improved, we sing to Him: Alleluia. This kontakion is read three times. Then ikos 1st and kontakion 1st.

Prayer

O glorious servant of God, Reverend Father George, praise and adornment to Danilov’s monastery! From your youth, you desired the monastic life, you labored in it, you acquired the love of Christ, and you were a good shepherd who came to you: after being exiled and enduring much sorrow, you inherited the Kingdom of Heaven. And now look upon us, your children, who pray to you, and guide our souls to salvation; Strengthen our holy monastery with peace and piety, so that through a pure life we may please God, to Him all glory, honor and worship are due forever. Amen.

Troparion, tone 2

From childhood you desired the monastic life, Reverend Father George, in which you acquired the love of Christ, you were a good shepherd to many people, and after suffering exile, you were adorned with the crown of confession. And now, standing before the throne of the Holy Trinity, pray unceasingly to save and enlighten our souls.

Kontakion, tone 4

Armed with the word of the Gospel, you endured all the sorrow of this corruptible and fickle life, consoling your children with the love that is in Christ Jesus, St. George, Danilovskaya praise, pray to Christ God to save us who honor you.

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Life

Confessor Georgy (Sedov)

Prayers

Troparion to Saint George of Romanovo-Borisoglebsky, Confessor

Kontakion to Saint George of Romanovo-Borisoglebsky, confessor, tone 4

Venerable George the Confessor of Danilovsky the Wonderworker

Reverend Confessor Georgy Danilovsky (1868-1932)

Ikos 1

Kontakion 2

Ikos 2

Kontakion 3

Ikos 3

Kontakion 4

Ikos 4

Kontakion 5

Ikos 5

Kontakion 6

Ikos 6

Kontakion 7

Ikos 7

Kontakion 8

Ikos 8

Kontakion 9

Ikos 9

Kontakion 10

Ikos 10

Kontakion 11

Ikos 11

Kontakion 12

Ikos 12

Kontakion 13

Prayer

Troparion, tone 2

Kontakion, tone 4