Prayer of Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk

Memory: May 23 / June 5

The Monk Euphrosyne was renowned from a young age for her amazing intelligence and wisdom, which grew even more in maturity, especially thanks to her work in copying spiritual books. Having become abbess, she opened the first girls' school at the monastery. Her intelligence, asceticism and prayerfulness allowed her to become the patroness of Russian female monasticism. They prayerfully turn to her for help in granting wisdom, honesty, and abstinence in the fight against lusts and in growing up their infantile, lazy and unwilling children.

First prayer of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk

O venerable and ever-memorable, all-praised Mother Euphrosyne, Angel in the flesh, God's chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit, praise and adornment to the Church of Christ, glory and affirmation to the monastics, help, protection and protector to the fatherland, your monastery and the whole country! You are like a tree planted by the rising waters, adorned with the fruits of your virtues and the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit, a teacher in deed and word, chosen, immaculate and good. Hear us who pray to you and call on your name, for you have confidence in the Lord. Ask us for success in a more virtuous life, protect our hearts with faith, hope and love and the fear of God. Give us help in our labors and sorrows, and just as in your life you cared about your monastery and those who live monastically, so now, while you strive for us, help us prosper in everything: protect your monastery with peace and protect it from enemies visible and invisible, so that it prospers and flourishes in virtues. Changes from all need and cramped conditions, from severe illnesses and from unexpected death and brought to true repentance at the end of this life; ask the Lord God for a peaceful, painless, non-shameful death, to take part in the Mysteries and to deliver us through the aerial ordeals, so that the tormentors of the threat do not kidnap us because of our sin, but with your intercession and help we can safely go through the aerial torment, and receive mercy, and appear uncondemned to the terrible Throne, and at the Last Judgment to be honored at the right hand of the Righteous Judge, and to inherit a portion of the righteous. To her, madam, most honorable mother, the Venerable Euphrosyne, help us with your prayers, protect us and intercede from all the snares of the enemy, so that we may be worthy to pass this time of life without stumbling and receive salvation through your prayers from Christ the Lord, Whom we will be worthy to sing and praise with the Beginning Father and with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of Euphrosyne of Moscow

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Reverend and Righteous Princess Euphrosyne of Moscow

Prayer to the Venerable, Blessed Princess Euphrosyne of Moscow

O Venerable Princess Euphrosyne, goodness in women ascetic, most praiseworthy saint of Christ! Accept the prayer of us unworthy, with faith and love for the race of your relics who have fallen, and with a warm petition to God, ask for the preservation of your city and people from troubles and misfortunes, the monastery of this monastery, created by you, the establishment and prosperity of those who strive in your monastery, intercede with the Greatly Gifted Christ God of ours, may they always remain diligent, not lazy, burning in spirit, working for the Lord, never falling asleep in prayers: in the world, ask the Lord for those who live piously in faith, firmness in faith, constancy in piety, and to all who come running to you with faith, and your help and intercession, give ever healing of ailments, consolation in sorrows, prosperity in all life: above all, beg the Lord to pass on earthly life in peace and repentance, to be delivered from bitter ordeals and eternal torment, and to receive the Kingdom of Heaven through your intercession, where you stand before the Lord with all the saints, so that We glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and to the endless ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion to the Venerable, Blessed Princess Euphrosyne of Moscow

Because of your earthly widowhood, you had not known the Heavenly Bridegroom and had lived as an ascetic in the princely palace, after which you left both the palace and your children for God’s sake, Venerable Euphrosyne, and having entered the monastery you created, in a monastic image you showed many deeds, and a holy life by the grace of God You crowned her with a blessed death. And now, standing before Christ God, pray for our souls to be saved.

From your youth, God's chosen saint, having left the bright palace of the prince, you retreated to the monastery you created, and, having sailed through the abyss of the sea of life, now with the angels you sing hymns to Christ God. Pray to him unceasingly, venerable one, that he may preserve the monastery you created and grant us peace and great mercy.

Having despised all the red of this world as if it were vain, and having exhausted your body with fasting and vigil, you pleased God with unceasing prayers, O Venerable Euphrosyne, and having been vouchsafed to receive the gift of healing from Him, you granted sight to the blind and to many sick people. We also joyfully cry out, saying: Glory to God, who glorifies His saints.

We bless you, Reverend Mother Euphrosyne, and honor your holy memory, for you pray for us to Christ our God.

Second prayer of Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk

O Reverend Mother Euphrosyne! Hear us praying to you; ask us, God's servants (names), for success in a more virtuous life; protect our hearts with faith, hope and love, and the fear of God, give us help in our labors and sorrows, free us from all need and distress, from severe illnesses and from unexpected death, and lead us to true repentance when leaving this life; ask us from the Lord God for a peaceful, painless, shameless death, participation in the Holy Mysteries; and lead us through the ordeals of the air. To her, Venerable Euphrosyne, help us with your prayers: protect us and intercede from all the snares of the enemy, so that we may be worthy to receive salvation from Christ the Lord, Whom we will be worthy to glorify, with the Father Without Beginning and with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of Saint Euphrosyne

The most detailed description: the prayer of Saint Euphrosyne - for our readers and subscribers.

Troparion, voice 4 *

Imitating the twelve-year-old Christ, who taught the word of God in the sanctuary, you followed, O Euphrosyne. Whom, more than all Christ, thou didst disgrace thyself,/ having taken up the cross, walking the path of the angelic life/ and many Instructing Him,/ in the fragrance of peace, you ascended into the Heavenly Palace,/ where you prayed, Him whom you loved,// for those who reverently honor your memory.

Translation: At the age of twelve, imitating the twelve-year-old Christ, who taught the word of God in the Temple (Luke 2:41-49), you followed Him, Euphrosyne. Leaving temporary glory and an earthly bridegroom and despising everything worldly, you betrothed yourself to the One who is most beautiful of all - Christ. Having raised the cross, walking the path of angelic life and guiding many to Him, in the fragrance of peace you have ascended to the Kingdom of Heaven, where you pray to Whom you have loved for those who piously honor your memory.

Kontakion, voice 8 *

Chosen by God from birth/ and called to serve Him,/ in the rank of angel of the Lord who served holy,/ and lived like a saint,/ and now praising the Lord with the Heavenly powers,/ about us but sinners interceding with the Lord with joy and love Let us cry: Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Translation: To the one chosen by God from birth and called to serve Him, in the rank of angels (in monasticism) who served the Lord holyly, and lived reverently, and now glorifies the Lord with the Heavenly powers, but for us sinners, interceding before the Lord, with joy and Let us cry with love: “Rejoice, Euphrosyne, bride of Christ, revered by all.”

Prayer 1 *

Oh, reverend and ever-memorable, all-praiseworthy mother Euphrosyne, to the Angel in the flesh, God’s chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit, praise and adornment to the Church of Christ, glory and affirmation to the monastics, fatherland, monastery help, protection and protector to you and the whole country! You are, like a tree planted by the rising waters, adorned with the fruits of your virtues and grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit, a teacher in deed and word, chosen, blameless and good. Hear us who pray to you and call on your name, for you have confidence in the Lord. Ask us for success in a more virtuous life, protect our hearts with faith, hope and love and the fear of God. Give us help in our labors and sorrows and, just as you had care in your life for your monastery and those monastic, so even now, while you care for us, make us prosper in everything: and protect your monastery peace and protection from enemies visible and invisible, may he prosper and flourishes in virtues. We were delivered from all need and distress, from severe illnesses and from unexpected death, and were brought to true repentance at our departure from sowing life; ask the Lord God for a peaceful, painless, shameless death, for us to participate in the Holy Mysteries and receive through the ordeal of the air, so that the tormentors of our sins will not kidnap us, but yours With our intercession and help we will be able to safely overcome airborne torture, and receive mercy and present ourselves uncondemned by the terrible Throne, and at the Last Judgment to be considered worthy to sit at the right hand of the Righteous Judge, and to inherit the portion of the righteous. Hey, lady, most honorable mother, Venerable Euphrosyne, help us with your prayers, protect us and intercede from all the machinations of the enemy, so that we may be able to pass the time of life and sow salvation without stumbling. receive through your prayers from Christ the Lord, Who also we will be worthy of singing and praising with the Beginning Father and with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer 2**

Oh, Reverend Mother Euphrosyne! Hear us praying to you; ask us, God's servants (names), for success in a more virtuous life; protect our hearts with faith, hope and love, and the fear of God, give us help in our labors and sorrows, take us away from all need and distress, from severe illnesses and from unexpected death, and lead us to true repentance when leaving this life; ask us from the Lord God for a peaceful, painless, shameless death, participation in the Holy Mysteries; and lead us through the ordeals of the air. To her, Venerable Euphrosyne, help us with your prayers: protect us and intercede from all the snares of the enemy, so that we may be worthy to receive salvation from Christ the Lord, Whom we will be worthy to glorify, with the Father Without Beginning and with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.

Akathist to St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk

Kontakion 1

Let us today praise the chosen bride of Christ with songs, Vernia, Euphrosyne; This princess, having left her father’s house and lived well in monasticism, has guided much towards salvation; Having passed away in the flesh in Jerusalem, He has taken up His abode in Jerusalem on high in spirit, and there He continually prays for us. Let us cry out to her: Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Ikos 1

Having lived an angelic life, reverend, you pleased Christ with your fasting life, and you were granted heavenly joy to receive communion after your death. Also, from the heights above, look down upon us, so magnifying you: Rejoice, praise of the Russian land; Rejoice, glorious branch from the family of Vladimir Equal to the Apostles. Rejoice, God's chosen child of eminent parents; Rejoice, immaculate dove. Rejoice, pure virgin; Rejoice, consolation to nuns. Rejoice, guide to heavenly Jerusalem; Rejoice, star of piety. Rejoice, intercessor of those who flow to you; Rejoice, invisible healer of ailments. Rejoice, warm intercessor for us; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 2

It was a joyful vision when, after your birth, you, the glorious one, were brought into the temple of the Lord: there, in the baptismal font, you were washed from original sin by immersion, and with the sacred anointing of the world you, like a young branch, were grafted by the priest to Christ, so that you might eat Him I will bring forth with His elect: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

With a mind, enlightened from above, and a pure heart of Christ, you entrusted it to yourself from your youth, Preface; often flowing into the temple, you constantly remained in the upper room in labor. In the same way we please you: Rejoice, betrothed to Christ from the baptismal font; Rejoice, sealed with the world of grace. Rejoice, pure receptacle of the Holy Spirit; Rejoice, you who have become wise for salvation. Rejoice, strengthened from above for good; Rejoice, you who enlightened your mind with prayer. Rejoice, having acquired a strong conscience for good; Rejoice, having led away from your youth the path of piety. Rejoice, for you have turned away from the path of destruction; Rejoice, hardworking maiden. Rejoice, beautiful young maidens of Russia; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 3

Strengthened by the power of the Most High, you loved the venerable one; book learning and you were diligent in this; Having comprehended the wisdom of books, you chose divine books above all others, and those who can make you wise for the salvation of every person, you zealously revered them, sweetly singing to the Lord: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Today your monastery is filled with young and many young women, who are taught books here. For this reason, we earnestly pray to you, O all-praised one, look upon you and make me wise for salvation, and let us magnify you: Rejoice, thou who hast sought the key of wisdom; Rejoice, for you have mastered the art of books from your youth. Rejoice, having thus opened the doors of the knowledge of God; Rejoice, you who read the Holy Scriptures. Rejoice, for this reason you have seen the creation of this world; Rejoice, touched by Christ’s indescribable condescension to our fallen race. Rejoice, thou who has loved the Lord who loved us; Rejoice, you who desired to work for the One. Rejoice, come and dwell in the palace of His glory; Rejoice, virgin, invisible assistant to young virgins in learning. Rejoice, lamp of piety and knowledge; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 4

Having fled the storms of everyday troubles and misfortunes, O venerable one, you loved the virgin life more than marriage, and you turned away from eminent suitors, O maiden, so that you served the only Heavenly Bridegroom Christ, singing to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

You have heard, venerable one, what the apostle said: I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them, if they remain, as I did; Even if they marry, they encroach; He who is not married fears to please the Lord; and you were jealous of this. We also magnify you: Rejoice, pure virgin; Rejoice, you who have chosen the path of monastic life. Rejoice, for you were able to accept and embrace the lot of virginity by God’s grace; Rejoice, you who have escaped worldly worries. Rejoice, you who have sought a quiet refuge; Rejoice, you who imitated Mary Lazarus. Rejoice, for in the temple, as if at the foot of Christ, you rushed about; Rejoice, for you have joined the face of the martyrs and venerable women. Rejoice, thou who despised the beauty of the corruptible world; Rejoice, unspeakable joys in the heavenly world today, partakers. Rejoice, image of a righteous life; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 5

Fearing God, you were not afraid, Euphrosyne, of the hardships of a monastic life, but having left your father’s blood, you came to the monastery and clothed you in an angelic image with the tender abbess, so that, not obliging yourself with the purchases of this life, you would take out the song, being worthy of Christ: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

You prayed to the Heavenly Physician, O all-praised one, that the sorrow caused by your parent’s departure would be transformed into joy; For I have left you, venerable one, so that you may serve Christ for those who gave birth to you and pray. We also praise you worthily: Rejoice, chosen one of God; Rejoice, mystery, who has departed from her father’s home. Rejoice, you who have entered the monastery of the Romanov princesses; Rejoice, having laid your hand on the beginning of spiritual work. Rejoice, you who have put aside the wedding crown; Rejoice, you who have covered your head with a veil of kindness. Rejoice, you who preferred the garments of poverty to wedding garments; Rejoice, with the acceptance of the rope, like a sword, armed with the word of God. Rejoice, you who have accepted the cross of Christ, like the banner of faith; Rejoice, for the Lord has not put you to shame in your hope. Rejoice, parent, who came to see you, who was comforted by your writing and returned in joy; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 6

Preacher Paul, who said: let everyone who strives, from all others, abstain; those who listen, you lived unremittingly in fasting and abstinence, O venerable one, in the monastery; You ran away from vanity, and edified by psalm songs, you prayed, and confirmed in your good will, you sang: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

Grace arises in the struggles of your life, all-honorable Euphrosyne; at some time you moved to the city of Polotsk, and at the Church of St. Sophia in a small cell, you labored, prescribed divine books, and so you soldered the city with useful teachings, hearing from everyone this: Rejoice, Polotsk joy; Rejoice, radiance to the virgins. Rejoice, star of piety; Rejoice, filled with humility. Rejoice, confirmed by obedience; Rejoice, you who endured sorrow in silence. Rejoice, for you lived at the temple, like the Virgin of God of old; Rejoice, wise princess and most honorable nun. Rejoice, flower of fasting; Rejoice, light of meekness. Rejoice, true confessor of unfalse hopes; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 7

If you want to save many wives and virgins in monasticism, Lord Christ will honor you with a great vision, venerable one; In a dream vision, you saw yourself, Euphrosyne, brought to the village to the church of Spasov, and the Angel told you: this is where you should be. You arose from sleep and sang joyfully: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

A new miracle happened: the same angel appeared to Saint Elijah and commanded him to give the village to move in and the church to pray, which Saint Abie did. This is our remembrance, so we magnify you: Rejoice, you who lived like an angel; Rejoice, thou who hast seen the Angel of the Lord. Rejoice, sweet conversation to his communicant; Rejoice, for you also interceded for you before the saint. Rejoice, guarded by the Angel on all your paths; Rejoice, you protected him with blood. Rejoice, thou who did not dash thy foot against the stone of pride; Rejoice, for this reason you have been honored with the vision of an angel. Rejoice, for you have appeared, who behold the face of our Heavenly Father; Rejoice, not angering the guardian with anything vain and sinful. Rejoice, for this reason you have been honored with joyful news; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 8

The wanderer, having seen shelter, rejoices and, having arrived, accepts peace. And you, venerable one, were filled with joy, having settled down at the church in the village with one of the nuns, and you created that foundation of your monastery from God’s place. Today a great song ascends, in the highest especially hymned: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All the message is the Lord, and nothing is hidden that will not be revealed; He who knows all things bestows upon every man his will, that he may choose each one's path of life, and whosoever shall live, judge by the life of each one who has died. Even as we remember, we praise you: Rejoice, good one who lifted up the yoke of Christ; Rejoice, who, at the voice of an angel, departed to a deserted place. Rejoice, you who brought books with you; Rejoice, you who were in one robe. Rejoice, you who dwell with three small loaves; Rejoice, all those who are left behind. Rejoice, decoration of the desert; Rejoice, for you have been blessed by your relatives for this feat. Rejoice, consoled by Bishop Elijah; Rejoice, for soon many nuns will flock to you. Rejoice, for that glorious monastery has also been established; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 9

You created the temple of the All-Merciful Savior in the monastery and decorated it with honest icons, O venerable one, of the grace of God promoting you; woodworking, because a certain voice arose on the church structure, but at the end of the temple, many marvelous plinths were found. Even as you saw, you sang with tenderness: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

You were the wise Vitia, venerable one, for you remembered the word of Christ, who will create the unity of these little commandments and teach such people, this great one will be called in the Kingdom of Heaven, and teaching piety to your sisters, you did this first. We also magnify you: Rejoice, nuns have the rule of monastic life; Rejoice, for you were young in purity and chastity. Rejoice, you who truly honored the old; Rejoice, helper of patience to the sorrowful. Rejoice, for you were for all the image of humility and graceful walking; Rejoice, denouncer of condemnation and verbosity. Rejoice, friend of the gift of insight into hearts; Rejoice, wise adviser to those who question. Rejoice, peacemaker of those who are brewing; Rejoice, adorned with virtues. Rejoice, great Russian virgin; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 10

For the sake of salvation and consolation, you asked the Ephesian icon of our Lady Theotokos from Constantinople, O venerable one, to the city of Polotsk. Having established another monastery, you decorated it with that icon; You have betrothed your sister and two brotherly daughters, Kyrianna and Olga, to monastic vows of Christ, and you have ruled many in your abodes for salvation, singing: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Your humility appears as a strong wall against temptation; Having accomplished all that was commanded, as if you had imputed it to yourself, O Reverend, as an unworthy servant; With meekness and quietness of disposition you have adorned your soul more than gold and beads. We also magnify you: Rejoice, pure servant of the Most Pure Virgin; Rejoice, for you have brought joy to Polotsk with the wonderful image of God’s Mother. Rejoice, thou who has thus acquired the great treasure of the Russian land; Rejoice, you who brought many virgins to the abode of God to Matera. Rejoice, you who attracted your dreams to the path of salvation; Rejoice, wise ruler of salvation. Rejoice, two monasteries, who lit candles; Rejoice, having enlightened the country of Polotsk. Rejoice, planter of the tree of monastic life; Rejoice, who with humility hid the height of your exploits. Rejoice, builder of the Russian land; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 11

With songs praising you, we marvel at your patience, venerable one; Having endured all sorts of toils and sorrows, you went on a journey to the Holy Land, where, according to your desire, the Lord brought you to die; There you moved to Him in your old age, having accomplished a good deed, with the song: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The radiant ray of the Russian land! Even though you have passed away from us in flesh, venerable one, you still remain with us in spirit. In the temple that you created, praying to the cross, I built it from you, worshiping, we pray to you, receive from us the chintz praises: Rejoice, radiance of ancient Russia; Rejoice, this is a great praise today. Rejoice, glorious stranger of the Holy Land from the north; Rejoice, thou who hast been honored to venerate the tomb of Christ. Rejoice, you who lit that lamp from the Russian land; Rejoice, you who went to Christ at the tomb of Christ. Rejoice, for she has left behind the cross of your earthly life; Rejoice, you who were instructed by the holy mysteries at the time of death. Rejoice, joyfully received from the saints in heaven; Rejoice, thou crowned with the crown of glory from the Heavenly Bridegroom. Rejoice, wise virgin, who entered the chamber of the Heavenly Bridegroom with glory; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 12

Grace to the communicant, we earnestly pray to you, Euphrosyne, all-praised, pour out your warm prayer to the Almighty for our entire Orthodox land, so that through the wisdom and purity of the life of the people, like a chosen daughter, our land will be among the nations, and may her children go into the mountain villages, singing to God : Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing you as our warm intercessor, and protecting and affirming the nuns and virgins of your monastery, we rejoice in you, venerable one, and with your prayers we acceptably ask, with love we magnify you worthily: Rejoice, for your relics, brought to the fatherland, flourished with incorruption; Rejoice, all-validated one, great-grandson of Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir. Rejoice, interlocutor of Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga and all the blessed faces of righteous women; Rejoice, thou who dwellest in the tabernacle of saints. Rejoice, invisible intercessor for us; Rejoice, marvelous healing for the sick. Rejoice, true consolation for the sad; Rejoice, consolation to those who mourn. Rejoice, supporter of those who call you; Rejoice, our warm intercessor with Christ. Rejoice, wondrous one, by the faith of those who honor you as a guide to salvation; Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Kontakion 13

O our all-validated mother Euphrosyne, the all-honorable one! Pray for us to the Lord and His Most Pure Mother, may he strengthen our weak forces and guide us to salvation, may he keep the young in purity, may he strengthen the virgins in asceticism, may he perfect those who exist in marriage in love and peace, will he heal the sick, will enlighten the darkened, will forgive the dead, and will return all to the palace. He will rule his own, where the angels sing a song of praise: Alleluia.

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

Prayers to the Reverend Princess Euphrosyne of Polotsk

First prayer

O reverend and ever-memorable, all-praised Mother Euphrosyne, Angel in the flesh, God's chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit, praise and adornment to the Church of Christ, glory and affirmation to the monastics, help, protection and protector to the fatherland, your monastery and the entire Russian country! You are like a tree planted by the rising waters, adorned with the fruits of your virtues and the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit, a teacher in deed and word, chosen, immaculate and good. Hear us who pray to you and call on your name, for you have confidence in the Lord. Ask us for success in a more virtuous life, protect our hearts with faith, hope and love and the fear of God. Give us help in our labors and sorrows, and just as in your life you cared about your monastery and those who live monastically, so now, while you strive for us, help us prosper in everything: protect your monastery with peace and protect it from enemies visible and invisible, so that it prospers and flourishes in virtues. Changes from all need and cramped conditions, from severe illnesses and from unexpected death and brought to true repentance at the end of this life; ask the Lord God for a peaceful, painless, non-shameful death, to partake of the Holy Mysteries, and to bring us through the ordeal of the air, so that the tormentor of the threat will not kidnap us because of our sin, but with your intercession, with your help, we will be able to safely go through the torment of the air, and receive mercy, and appear uncondemned to the terrible Throne, and at the Terrible Judgment to be honored at the right hand of the Righteous Judge, and to inherit a portion of the righteous. To her, madam, most honorable mother, Venerable Euphrosyne, help us with your prayers, protect us and intercede from all the snares of the enemy, so that we may be worthy to pass the time of this life without stumbling and receive salvation through your prayers from Christ the Lord, and Him we will be worthy of singing and praising with the Beginning Father. and with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Second prayer

O Reverend Mother Euphresinia! Hear us praying to you; ask us slaves. God's (names), success in a more virtuous life; protect our hearts with faith, hope and love, and the fear of God, give us help in our labors and sorrows, take us away from all need and distress, from severe illnesses and from unexpected death, and lead us to true repentance when leaving this life; ask us from the Lord God for a peaceful, painless, shameless death, participation in the Holy Mysteries; and lead us through the ordeals of the air. To her, Venerable Euphrosyne, help us with your prayers: protect us and intercede from all the snares of the enemy, so that we may be worthy to receive salvation from Christ the Lord, Whom we will be worthy to glorify, with the Father Without Beginning and with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.

Troparion to the Venerable Princess Euphrosyne of Polotsk

Troparion, tone 4

Imitating the twelve-year-old Christ, who taught the Word of God in the sanctuary, you followed, Euphrosyne. Having forsaken the temporal glory and earthly betrothed and despised everything worldly, you have disgraced Christ, the most beautiful of all, by taking up the cross, walking the path of the angelic life and instructing Him in many ways, in the fragrance of peace you have ascended into the Heavenly Palace, where you prayed, you have loved Him, about those who piously honor your memory.

Troparion, tone 3

Rejoice, land of Polotskaya, show off and rejoice, monastery of Spasov, behold, the Lord fulfill the desire of your heart: our spiritual Mother and Representative, God-wise Euphrosyne, fly like a bird from the city of Kiev, and like a turtle dove you have found your nest in the monastery of your ancient inheritance, where you gather keep your chicks under your wing and strengthen them in the orthodox faith, with the coming of your multi-healing relics, enlighten the darkened, wasted brothers, disperse the darkness of temptations and troubles from the crying true: save us with your prayers, like our intercessor, the venerable mother Euphrosyne.

Kontakion, tone 8

Chosen by God from birth itself, and called to serve Him, in the rank of angels of the Lord, who served holyly, and lived reverently, and now with the Heavenly powers praising the Lord, for us sinners, intercede before the Lord, with joy and love we cry: Rejoice, Euphrosyne , the all-honorable bride of Christ.

Greatness

We bless you, Reverend Mother Euphrosyne, and honor your holy memory, teacher of nuns and interlocutor of the angel.

Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk

Without the name of Euphrosyne of Polotsk it is impossible to imagine the spiritual life and culture of Belarus, the Orthodox Church. Princess, abbess, outstanding educator, about whom the “Life of Euphrosyne of Polotsk” says that she is an unpaired eagle, soaring from the West to the East, like the solar moon, having enlightened the whole land of Polotsk." Euphrosyne left a deep memory of herself in the soul of the people.

The glorious ascetic, one of the most educated people of that time, had the opportunity to live in the greatest era of pre-Mongol Rus' of the 12th century. Polotsk of that time, with its churches and monasteries, with its episcopal see, was a major center of education and book production.

It was here that Predslava was born around 1101, who later received the name Euphrosyne of Polotsk. She was the daughter of the Polotsk prince George, the granddaughter of Vladimir Monomakh. Since childhood, Predslava acquired a love for books. The monks taught her to read and write. “Life” reports her great abilities and desire for knowledge. In addition, the princely house had a large library, where books of a religious nature predominated, but there was also secular literature. At the age of twelve, her parents decided to marry her off. But Predslava chose a different path for herself. Having learned about her father's intention, she said to herself, “If I get married, then it will be impossible to get rid of the sadness of this world.”

Secretly from his father and mother, Predslava comes to the monastery and takes monastic vows. There was no doubt what name to give Predslava when he was tonsured. Only Euphrosyne, which means “joy”, in honor of Euphrosyne of Alexandria. Prince George made more than one attempt to return his daughter to worldly life, he cried for her as if she were dying, but the tears of her dear father did not shake her. As the “Life” narrates, she remained in the monastery in obedience to the abbess and sisters, surpassing them all in fasting and prayer, and night vigils, collecting her good thoughts in her heart, like a bee honey. "After living for several years in the monastery, Euphrosyne settled in the St. Sophia Cathedral, where, as it is written in the Life, “I began to write books with my own hands.” She wrote her own teachings, prayers, and translated works from Greek. Euphrosyne taught people to love each other, have a good heart, and not allow envy, discord, hatred and evil passions. Her writing is characterized by imagery and literary talent. She gave great scope to the spread of writing by founding women's and then men's monasteries in Polotsk, where there were scriptoria. An admirer of everything beautiful, Euphrosyne became the first philanthropist in the Principality of Polotsk.

The name of Euphrosyne of Polotsk is also associated with the appearance in Rus' of the image of the Mother of God of Ephesus, brought at her request from Byzantium. According to experts, this image is the earliest work of the iconographic type of Hodegetria in the East Slavic lands.

Euphrosyne of Polotsk also went down in history as the customer of a masterpiece of ancient Russian art - the cross of Lazar Bogsha, created by a Polotsk master in 1161. There are no earlier analogues of such a cross in Rus', and later ones, to one degree or another, repeated the Polotsk shrine. Rare materials were used in its manufacture: precious stones, gold, silver, enamels; the base of the cross was made of cypress. The cross was also a monument to ancient Russian writing. On it, in addition to the inscription indicating who made it, there is a large text embossed with a number of interesting information. Unfortunately, the cross created by the hand of Lazar Bogshi, due to a combination of circumstances, disappeared.

Already in our days, during the celebration of the millennium of the Polotsk diocese and the Orthodox Church in Belarus in 1992, it was decided to recreate the cross. The reconstruction of the cross was entrusted to the Brest jeweler-enamel maker, member of the Union of Artists of Belarus Nikolai Petrovich Kuzmich. On August 24, 1997, Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Philaret consecrated a copy of the cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, which is currently kept in the Transfiguration Cathedral of the Polotsk Spaso-Euphrosyne Convent.

All her life the thought of visiting holy Christian places never left Euphrosyne. In 1163, she left Polotsk and hit the road. Arriving in Constantinople, he visits the Church of Hagia Sophia, about which so much has been told in Rus', and is blessed by the patriarch. Everywhere she was greeted as a dear guest. At the end of April 1167, she reached the Jerusalem city gates. But her stay in the Holy Land was short-lived. She soon fell ill and in May 1167 she passed on to another world. Thus ended the earthly journey of the great ascetic and enlightener, the Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk. She was buried in the Feodosia Monastery of the Holy Mother of God in Jerusalem.

Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk

Month of May, day 23

At Great Vespers

In the Lord, I cried: stichera, tone 6:

Having loved honest and all-loving purity as an angel, / the Venerable Mother Euphrosyne, / you have discredited Christ from your youth. / To him now with the angels coming, / pray for those who reverently honor your memory. Imitating the life of angels, / through fasting and prayers you served Christ, as if you were incorporeal. / Now, with the angelic ranks, dwelling / in the devil of your Immortal Bridegroom, / pray, Whom you loved, / for those who joyfully honor your all-honorable memory. Having received an angelic life, / temporary glory, and wealth, / and the father’s house, and the earthly betrothed, / and for these sakes, you received eternal reward in Heaven, / where the Angels rejoice, / pray for those who honor your memory with love.

Other stichera, voice the same.

Similar to: Tridneven:

From a noble root / with nobility and many kindnesses, you have blossomed the fruit, / growing a vine throughout the Russian land / and in the city of Polotst, / overshadowing and giving wine of joy, Euphrosyne, / to those who pray ever since.

Like the grapes of the Russian land, / God planted the city of Polotsk first, / now bring it to you and turn it into the promised land, / Venerable Euphrosyne, fertilizer for the monks.

Having killed your body, you came to life with your soul,/ from the land of your fathers, the city of Polotsk, having risen,/ you came to Zion,/ and you distributed all your wealth there,/ and you were accepted by Heaven.

David and Roman as martyrs/ and in the venerable blessed Theodosius, Euphrosyne, who were crowned,/ having seen yourself as a sacrifice, having given to God,/ from the Russian princes of the Polotsk land/ you tried to unite the brethren with the same mind, blessed one,/ and the firstfruits of the princess’s face are self-promised to God,/ Yes, with those you will receive the promised good, / for whom you have worked.

Glory, the same voice: The monastic order is a blessing / and the praise of the monks will joyfully sing today, / the King Christ our God in praise: / This, as the Sanctifier of the saints and the praise of the saints, / glorified by the incorruption of the relics of the Venerable Euphrosyne, / to whom people of good faith reverently stand / and with I kiss with love,/ receive healing in illness/ and consolation in sorrow/ and joyfully say with tenderness:/ Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

And now, Mother of God: Who will not please You, Most Holy Virgin? Who will not sing of Your Most Pure Nativity?/ For the Only Begotten Son, who rose from the Father, flew away,/ He also passed from You, the Pure One,/ indescribably incarnated;/ by nature He is God/ and by nature He was Man for our sake;/ not divided in two,/ but in two nature/ inseparably cognizable./ Pray to him, Pure One, All-Blessed One,/ to have mercy on our souls.

Entrance. Prokeimenon in the afternoon. And reading.

Wisdom of Solomon reading (chapter 3):

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, / and no torment will touch them. / There was no reason to die in the sight of the foolish, / and their exodus was imputed to them, / and even though their departure from us was contrition; / they are in the world. / For before the face of men even they will receive torment,/ their hope of immortality is fulfilled./ And even though they have been punished for a little while, they will be great benefactors,/ for God has tempted me and found them worthy of Himself./ Like gold in the furnace, tempt them/ and, like the fruitfulness of the sacrificial, I have been accepted./ And during their visit they will shine / and flow like sparks along a stem: / they judge with their tongues and possess people, / and the Lord will reign in them forever. / Those who hope in Nan understand the truth / and faithful ones in love will abide to Him, / as grace and mercy are in His venerables/ and visitation among His elect.

Wisdom of Solomon reading (chapters 5 and 6):

The righteous women live forever,/ and their reward is in the Lord, and their care is with the Most High./ For this sake, they will receive the Kingdom of splendor/ and the crown of kindness from the hand of the Lord,/ I will cover them with my right hand and protect them with my arm./ He will take full armor of His zeal/ and arm the creature will take revenge on the enemy./ He will put on the armor of righteousness/ and will put on a helmet of judgment without hypocrisy./ He will take the invincible shield of reverence,/ he will sharpen vain anger into a weapon,/ he will fight the world with him against the foolish./ The right-handed arrows of lightning will go forth/ and, as if from the bows of the clouds are well-rounded, they will fly towards the intention./ And, filled with stone-throwing rage, hail will fall,/ the water of the sea will be indignant at them,/ I will drown the rivers brazenly./ The spirit of strength will resist them/ and, like a cowlick, will scatter them,/ and iniquity will devastate the whole earth, / and wickedness will transform the thrones of the mighty. / Hear, O kings, and understand, / learn, O judges of the ends of the earth, / instill in those who hold multitudes / and those who are proud of the people, / that there is power given to you from the Lord / and strength from Vyshnyago.

Wisdom of Solomon reading (chapter 4):

The righteous, even if he dies, will be in rest./ For old age is not honorable for many years,/ it is counted lower in the number of years./ Gray hair is the wisdom of man/ and the age of old age is an undefiled life./ Having been well-pleasing to God, he was loved/ and living in the midst of a sinner , was put to death./ He was delighted, lest malice change his mind,/ or flattery deceive his soul./ The zeal for evil darkens the good,/ and the soaring of lust changes the mind of a kindly mind./ Having passed away, fulfill your duty,/ for it is pleasing to the Lord his soul, / for this sake, struggling from the midst of wickedness. / People, having seen and not understanding, / lowered their thoughts on this, / like grace and mercy in His saints / and visitation in His elect.

At the litia there are stichera, tone 2.

Similar to: House of Euphraths:

The land of Polotsk,/ rejoice and rejoice,/ which raised the Grand Duchess,/ the Venerable Euphrosyne,/ to establish Orthodoxy in White Rus'.

Reverend Mother Euphrosyne,/ who enlightened our land with Orthodoxy,/ who rested in the Lord in Jerusalem,/ pray to the Lord/ for your Orthodox Fatherland.

O all-honorable mother, praise and affirmation of your monastery, protect it with peace and piety, protect it from new devastation and desecration, preserve it in Orthodoxy forever.

Other stichera, tone 7:

Reverend Mother Euphrosyne,/ you have fulfilled your life on earth pleasing to God,/ you are righteous and blameless in all the justifications of the Lord./ Come now, ye assembled monastics,/ with hymns and spiritual singing/ we rejoice brightly today, calling us:/ Rejoice, zealot of the apostolic and paternal traditions ;/ Rejoice, praise of the city of Polotsk;/ Rejoice, all-honorable Euphrosyne,/ for through humility and purity/ you have inherited the Kingdom of Heaven in the rank of angels. / And now standing before the Lord, pray to Him to grant us / great and rich mercy.

Out of duty, we please you,/ like our praise and an Angel in the flesh,/ for your life, Euphrosyne, is honest/ and your dormition with the saints:/ for you shone with good deeds/ and you brought many to Christ;/ and you bequeathed a cross more honorable than your monastery ;/ by the gift of the grace of God that dwelt in you,/ prophetically foreseeing, after its destruction, restoration through the Cross,/ which will now be accomplished./ Therefore, we, with joy pleasing thee, fall down to thee,/ praying with tenderness:/ pray for us, Reverend mother, to the Lord, / may she grant great and rich mercy to our souls.

Other stichera, tone 4.

Similar to: Like a doble:

Whoever deceived Eve in the form of a serpent, / you trampled this underfoot; / having turned the sweetness of a woman into a man’s soul, / you were filled with the perfect courage of the age of Jesus Christ, / and, valiantly strengthened, Euphrosyne, / you overpowered the enemy in a woman’s body.

The dormancy of your eyes, Euphrosyne, did not give you any peace, / yet you gave no rest to your brow, ever praised, / studying the law of your Creator / and striving psalmically, / perceiving the radiance in spirit, / perseveringly seeing the Trinity Communion / and more than the mind of purity.

From the shrouds you desired the beautiful fertilizer / and the incorruptible spiritual Bridegroom - Jesus, / You were wounded by this love / and, rejoicing, you came to meet Him, / lighting the spiritual lamp of virgin oil, / and you ascended with Him to the Heavenly Palace, glorious.

Glory, voice 7: Today the ancient city of Polotsk brightly flaunts / with the Divine treasure of the Cross of the Lord, / which you built through your zeal, / Venerable Euphrosyne, / and your monastery rejoices at the return to it of the Honest and Life-giving Cross, / which through many years was preserved by the Providence of the Lord ;/ who worships him with faith and kindly kisses him,/ healing of soul and body is acceptable,/ Christ is constantly magnified.

And now, Theotokos: O Virgin Mother of God,/ the hope of Christians,/ cover and keep us/ with your prayers to your Son and God/ from all need and sorrow.

On the poem there are stichera, tone 8:

Reverend Mother Euphrosyne, / you served Christ the Lord in humility and meekness, / and you guided many to salvation, / and for this reason you received reward from the Lord, / pray to Him for our souls to be saved.

Verse: God is marvelous in His saints, / God of Israel.

Reverend Mother Euphrosyne, / with love we please you, / the true confessor of the Gospel, / the zealot of Orthodoxy, / the teacher of abstinence, / the interlocutor of the angel, / the nourisher of the poor and orphans, / who has crowned Christ with the crown of Heaven, / pray to him for the salvation of our souls.

Verse: Honorable before the Lord is the death of His saints.

Reverend Mother Euphrosyne,/ joyfully celebrating your memory,/ we glorify your deeds:/ in your labors, for from your youth you served Christ,/ surprising the ranks of angels;/ on earth, as if bodiless,/ in fasting and prayers, and all-night standing,/ and in You remained in the thought of God./ In the same way, you received the Holy Spirit into your soul.

Glory, the same voice: Having brightly adorned your lamp with the oil of purity and mercy,/ you ascended to the Heavenly Palace with the wise virgins to Christ,/ to your Immortal Bridegroom./ To whom you diligently pray/ for those who commit love to your memory.

And now, the Mother of God: Blessed Virgin, / Who is indescribably conceived in the flesh, / Mother of the Most High God, / Accept the prayers of your servants, O All-Immaculate One, / granting cleansing of sins to everyone, / now our prayers are accepted, / pray for us all to be saved.

For now you let go: troparion, tone 4:

Imitating the twelve-year-old Christ, / who taught the word of God in the sanctuary, / you followed, Euphrosyne. / Leaving the temporal glory and the earthly betrothed, / and despising all the worldly, / you disgraced the most beautiful Christ of all, / taking up the cross, walking the path of the angelic life / and Instructing many to Him, / in the fragrance of peace, you ascended into the Heavenly Palace, / where you prayed, You loved Him, / for those who reverently honor your memory.

Troparion, same voice:

Having squandered your wealth on the beggars/ and counted your princely glory for nothing,/ you, the red maiden, abhorred the temporary betrothed/ and, having become ignorant of the Bridegroom Christ,/ He is like a vein[1]

, you brought purity of soul and body, Euphrosyne./ Now standing before him in joy,/ remember us who honor your memory.

At Matins

On God the Lord: troparion, twice.

Glory, and now: Theotokos, voice 4: Hedgehog from the ages, hidden and unknown to the Angel, a sacrament, / by You, Mother of God, who is on earth, God appeared, / in an unfused union, / and, by the will of us, we will receive the Cross, / having resurrected the primordial, / save our souls from death.

According to the 1st verse of the sedalens, voice 1:

Having loved the commandments of the Lord, / from your youth, reverend mother, you have been the teacher of monastic life to many, / you have led many to Christ; / so today we celebrate your all-honorable memory, / we glorify God, glorifying His saints.

Glory: Having inspired David to jingle, / the Virgin Queens will be brought after You, - / the most honorable Euphrosyne came, as she is good, and her neighbor will follow You, / having kindled the virgin candle.

And now, the Mother of God: With our lips and heart we magnify Thee, the Mother of God: / But You, who gave birth to God, do not cast us away from Your intercession.

According to the 2nd verse of the sedalens, voice 1:

Having adorned your soul with purity, / the Venerable Euphrosyne, / with a burning lamp, you ascended into the courts of your Lord, / pray to Him unceasingly, so that we too may be counted among the elect.

Glory: I sing to David - Thy people forget in Thy Father's house - / Thou hast inclined thy ear, as the daughter of the King in Dus, / For thou hast loved the All-Red and Almighty King, Christ our God.

And now, the Mother of God: Speedy Intercessor in troubles,/ a ready refuge for those in distress,/ save me, Mother of God, from the drowning of everyday life/ and do not let me be crushed against the stone of spiritual destruction.

According to the polyeleos sedalene, tone 8:

You shone with your angelic life, / Venerable Euphrosyne, / adorned with the beauty of character, / with self-control and mercy, / teaching your spiritual sisters / soul-saving words, / and, by example, affirming the word, / you led many to salvation; / also, ever-memorable Euphrosyne, those who are coming To the Throne of the Almighty, / pray to grant remission of sins / to those who honor your memory with love.

Glory, even now, to the Mother of God: The prophets foreshadowed Thee, the apostles preached, / glorified the martyrs, blessed the saints, / and in the same way we, with them, confess the Theotokos, piously magnify Thee.

Degree, 1st antiphon of the 4th tone. Prokeimenon, tone 4: Honorable before the Lord is the death of His saints. Verse: What will I repay to the Lord for all who have repaid me? Every breath: the Gospel of Matthew, conceived 104.

According to Psalm 50, stichera, tone 7:

Good and faithful servant of the Lord,/ having accepted the good yoke of Christ upon ourselves,/ and diligently bearing His light burden,/ and now being established in the Heavenly Kingdom,/ pray for us, that we may be worthy of great and rich mercy.

Ina stichera, tone 6:

Come, wise ones, / with god-red songs we will sing / the praiseworthy and humble Euphrosyne, the all-honorable, / and let us wash the sources of tears, sobbing and weeping: / negli[2]

The Lord and God will accept the sobbing and crying, / and if you accept her body and soul, / because you yourself deigned His humility, / he can give us the opportunity to unite with her spirit, flowing in, / as if he will accept her praiseworthy and good-red prayer, / prayer can do much Let us hasten the righteous./ I pray you, brethren,/ let us not be lazy, praying night and day to the Heavenly and earthly Creator,/ for the Holy Spirit will send us to gain,/ and through the prayers of Blessed Euphrosyne/ we will be delivered from the snare of the enemy/ and will save souls our.

Canon, voice 6.

Song 1

Irmos: I, on dry land, having walked Israel/ in the abyss with my feet,/
the persecutor Pharaoh/ being drowned,/ sing a victorious song to God, crying out.
Our Reverend Mother Euphrosyne, pray to God for us.

From your youth, learning the sacred commandment of the Lord/ and desiring to serve Him alone,/ you despised the glory and wealth of this world.

Our Reverend Mother Euphrosyne, pray to God for us.

Having loved Christ, / you left your parents and relatives and your earthly betrothed, O venerable one, / and you took up the monastic life.

Our Reverend Mother Euphrosyne, pray to God for us.

The hearts of your father and mother were filled with sorrow, / when they saw you, your beloved daughter, in another form, / but you comforted them with good words, admonishing you to the Holy Spirit.

Our Reverend Mother Euphrosyne, pray to God for us.

Even though I am anointed in the oil of virtues for the meeting, mother, kindle your Bridegroom, / enlighten the eyes of my heart, / darkened by the night of life, / so that I may praise you worthily.

Glory: You have gained an old mind in your youth, / you have boldly subdued your body to your soul, from your youth you have harnessed it under the yoke of Christ / and accepted a light burden of grace.

And now, the Mother of God: Sorrowful intimations overwhelm my humble soul, / and clouds of adversity cover my heart, O Bride of God, / but, having given birth to the Divine and Eternal Light, / shine upon me a joyful light.

Song 3

Irmos: N is
holy, / as You, O Lord my God, / lifted up the horn of Your faithful, O Good One, / and established us on the rock / of Your confession.
In silence, desiring to unite with the one Lord through prayer, / at the holy church of St. Sophia, you settled in a close cell, O Reverend.

From the labor of your hands, venerable one, you served Christ, our Savior, / practicing in a godly manner in the writing of the books of the saints, / and at the price you charged for them, you consoled the poor brethren of Christ.

In meekness and humility, in fasting and prayers,/ in labors, and night vigils, and prayerful genuflections,/ you diligently served your Lord, O all-honorable one.

You did not give sleep to your eyes, nor slumber at all times, Euphrosyne, / until you found in your heart a place worthy of abode.

Glory: You were the desert-loving turtle dove, Euphrosyne, / and the solitary bird on the building, / you created a spiritual nest as your chick, / and you lived from your youth the life of an angel, while in the body.

And now, O Theotokos: Thou hast truly surprised me now, O Lady,/ by Thy good deeds, the Mother of God, and Thy mercy,/ therefore I glorify Thee, and sing praises,/ and I honor Thy much and immeasurable consideration for us.

Kontakion, tone 8:

Our pure virginity and honor/ with alms, like a lamp with oil, who adorned/ and with the wise virgins entered into the bright chamber of Christ,/ let us please the glorious Euphrosyne/ and, falling to the honest with her power, we will enjoy her fragrance/ and cry out to her tenderly:/ as having boldness towards Christ God, / pray to be delivered from the stench of passions and to save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 4.

Similar to: Ascended:

Having taken over from the land of Polotsk,/ your fatherland, like Abraham, having inherited Euphrosyne,/ the land on high is likened to the Mountain Zion,/ you also offered your body with spiritual goodwill,/ through fasting suffering, like a sacrifice,/ with your mercy, who gave yourself/ a Sacrifice favorable.

Inikos:

Solomon received wisdom from God, / for in parables he praises the courageous wife, / as I make two garments for my husband, / but now in songs I praise the God-loving Euphrosyne, / night and day I raise the venerable hand to God, / so that he may deliver the unquenchable fire, gnashing of teeth and all the torment / for the sake of us, believers, is favorable to the Father who gave Himself the Sacrifice.

Sedalen, voice 4:

You were honored with an angelic vision, Reverend Mother Euphrosyne, / for an Angel to visit you three times, proclaiming the will of the Lord, / so that you go to the place called Seltse, / and establish there a monastery of virgins, sanctified to God.

Glory, even now, to the Mother of God: One true Patroness of Christians, / deliver us from all cruel circumstances, troubles and sorrows / and save our souls through Your prayers.

Song 4

Irmos: Christ is my strength,/
God and Lord,/ the honest Church/ sings divinely, crying out,/ celebrating the Lord with pure meaning.
An angel told Saint Elijah, who was in your days, about you, venerable one, / to give a place in which to build a monastery.

Just as a crown rests on the head of kingdoms, / so the Holy Spirit rests on you, venerable one, / the Angel proclaims to the saint.

And as the myrrh ascends to God, so does the saint’s prayer ascend,/ and as the sun shines in the firmament of heaven, so prays the life of Euphrosyne before the Angels of God, -/ the verb of the Angel in the vision of the saint.

Clothes to the naked and wealth to the poor,/ you were a nurse to the hungry and a mother to the orphans,/ you were the deliverer of the fierce,/ thus your memory endures forever,/ Euphrosyne, praise to the city of Polotsk.

Glory: The Bride of Christ, mother, appeared, / having combined the richly fragrant oil in virginity / and having magnified it on both sides. / And now you rejoice forever, having entered the heavenly monastery / and receiving Divine grace.

And now, the Mother of God: And where will I find other intercession?/ Where will I resort? Where will I be saved?/ I have taken up the warm Helper,/ through the sorrows of life and storms, alas, I am shaken?/ I trust in You alone, and I dare, and I boast,/ and I flow to Your protection: save me.

Song 5

Irmos: With God's light, O Blessed One,/ Illumine the souls of You in the morning with love, I pray,/ Lead You, the Word of God,/ the true God,/ calling out from the darkness of sin.

The bishop of the Lord was filled with joy and surprise at the angelic vision and called upon you, venerable one, to announce this wonderful phenomenon.

You fulfilled the will of your Lord with zeal, O venerable one,/ and you came to the place shown to you by the Angel,/ and you settled there.

Having placed your firm trust in the one Lord,/ you gained nothing from your possessions,/ but you remained in the poverty of the gospels.

On a reasonable stone you created a motionless temple, O glorious one, / and you ran away from the troubles of passions, / lifted by the comforting Spirit of the Paraclete to the Highest and Divine abode.

Glory: Neglecting your father’s glory and pride, / but you loved a lonely life and lack, Euphrosyne / and, taking up the cross of Christ on your side, you followed Him calling you.

And now, O Mother of God: What gift will I bring to You of thanksgiving / for the enjoyment of Your gifts and Your immeasurable goodness? / In the same way I glorify, sing songs and magnify Your ineffable mercy towards me.

Song 6

Irmos : The Sea of Life, / raised up in vain by misfortunes by the storm, / flowed to Your quiet refuge, crying to You: / lift up my belly from aphids, O Omni-merciful One.
Having seen your angelic life, / many virgins wanted to become engaged to Christ / and serve Him alone in pure virginity.

Your sister, Princess Zvenislava, imitating you, / rejected the glory and pleasures of this world / and came to you, accepting the good yoke of Christ on yourself.

Seeing your spiritual sisters multiply, the all-honorable Euphrosyne, / you desired to build a temple to the Lord Almighty, / of His honorable and glorious Transfiguration.

Having scooped wine into your cup with all your soul/ and set up a pillar of contentment, you sang:/ Eat my bread and drink my wine, all you who are thirsty.

Glory: Having matured to God, the dove, / you were silvered with light wings, glorious, / and the frames glittered with gold with various deeds.

And now, the Mother of God: I know You, the consolation of our sorrows, and the healing of illnesses, O Mother of God,/ and the all-perfect contrition of death,/ and the inexhaustible river of life,/ and the speedy and swift intercession of all who are in adversity.

Kontakion, tone 8:

Chosen by God from birth and called to serve Him,/ in the rank of angels of the Lord, who served holyly, and lived reverently,/ and now, with the Heavenly powers, praising the Lord,/ for us sinners, interceding before the Lord,/ with joy and love let us cry: / Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Ikos:

You have lived an angelic life on earth, / through purity and humility, meekness and patience, / through mercy and self-control, you have pleased the Lord, / and now you are resting in the light of the saints after your labors, / receive this song from us: / Rejoice, virgin in soul and body; / Rejoice, you who have been a great mentor to nuns; / Rejoice, who while still on earth was honored with an angelic vision; / Rejoice, who received the commandment from the Lord through an Angel to build a monastery; / Rejoice, who with zeal fulfilled the will of the Lord; / Rejoice, who rejected all the earthly pleasures of this world for Christ’s sake; / Rejoice, you who have betrothed yourself to the Heavenly Bridegroom, the Sweetest Jesus; / Rejoice, you who served Him in purity, fasting and prayers; / Rejoice, you who have acquired the priceless treasure - the most honorable Cross of your monastery for the sanctification and establishment of your monastery; / Rejoice, you have acquired your life in day and night labors who has accomplished;/ Rejoice, now abiding in the unevening days of the Kingdom of God;/ Rejoice, Euphrosyne, all-honorable bride of Christ.

Song 7

Irmos : The angel/ made the venerable furnace/ the venerable youth,/ the scorching/ command of God exhorted the Chaldeans to exhort the tormentor to cry out:/ Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers.
You do not care about your own salvation, reverend mother, / but about everyone whom the Lord entrusted to you, / whom you taught in the law of the Lord to do His will.

You were the image of your verbal flock, all-honorable Euphrosyne, / by good deeds, exalting yourself with humility, and attracting with meekness, / and with patience, affirming to remain steadfast in love for the Lord.

When the building of the temple of the Lord was completed, / An angel stirred up the builder, saying: / John, go to the building of the temple of the Almighty.

As a right disciple of the humble and peaceful Christ, / you forbade the prince of relatives who dare to raise a sword against each other, / as a double-edged weapon, cutting off, the word of God frightening.

Glory: Gathering Divine wealth from afar, / like a ship sailing far away, / with greyhound fingers you wrote kindly, O Inspired One, / eating the thaw and giving to the poor.

And now, Mother of God: I glorify You with all my soul, and thought, and heart, and lips, / having enjoyed Your great gifts, and Your goodness, / and Your immeasurable miracles.

Song 8

Irmos: And from the flames of the saints you poured out dew / and you burned the righteous sacrifice with water: / you did everything, O Christ

,
just as you want, / We exalt You forever.
With faith and firm hope, O venerable one, you prayed to the Lord, / and the Lord heard the prayer of His faithful servant, / and the creation of His temple was accomplished in a wonderful way.

You were filled with joy and gladness, Venerable Euphrosyne, / when the consecration of the temple was completed, / in it, for our request to be heard from the Lord / you prayed with tears.

Your prayer before the Lord is powerful, / the temple you erected has remained intact and unharmed through many years.

Having found deliverance, O Lord, from the bitter condemnation/ of eating for the sake of the intelligent tree through Your crucifixion,/ Euphrosyne quickly fasted on all Wednesdays and heels,/ killing the body, and quickening the soul/ with the desire that is divine in the immaterial body.

Glory: With the fruitful willows of the body, as if you had hung the word on Babylon, / in the storm of life, you cried out: / If I forget you, Jerusalem, without offering you joy at the beginning, / be forgotten, my right hand, / and my tongue cleave to my throat in righteousness.

And now, the Mother of God: Circumstances, and sorrows, and needs have found me, O Pure One, / and the misfortunes of life, and temptations have come upon me from everywhere, / but stand before me and cover me with Your holy veil.

Song 9

Irmos: God / as a human being,/ the angels do not dare to look upon the Worthiness;/ For by You, O All-Pure One, having appeared as a man/ the Word incarnate,/ Who is magnified,/ with the Heavenly Ones we please You.

You desired to have an icon of the Most Pure Mother of God in your monastery, / so you received it, / and, joyfully accepting it, / you gave many thanks to the Lord and to His Most Pure Mother.

You built an honorable cross through your zeal, venerable one,/ and a drop of the Divine Blood of Christ the Savior,/ and you placed a part of the Life-Giving Tree in it/ for the sanctification and salvation of all who worship it/ and kiss it with love and fear.

You spent many years in a cramped cell at the Temple of the Lord, / in prayers and kneeling, O Venerable Euphrosyne, / as if you were incorporeal, dwelling on earth.

You flowed like the Queen of South, / but with trepidation you saw the man-made church and the tomb, / in which the three-day All-Creator, God’s Wisdom, dwelt, / and there God bless you to receive you, good virgin.

Glory: I brought Lebanon, and myrrh, and gold to the Creator, / Euphrosyne - soul, and body, and life immaculate, / crucified to You, Christ, and resurrected with You and reigning with You in the endless Kingdom.

And now, the Mother of God: Receiving joy from the Angel and we, according to Thy prophecy, O Most Holy Virgin, / pleasing Thee with all generations, cry out in the Gospel: / Rejoice, O Gracious One, the Lord is with Thee.

Svetilen, tone 8:

Venerable Euphrosyne, glorious is your memory, / truly for the word of the Holy Spirit will be fulfilled on you: / in eternal memory you will be righteous. / Likewise, save us, who honor your memory with love, / from all troubles and misfortunes.

Glory: Even as she preached of old, Euphrosyne rejoices forever in the Lord, / having renounced the bonds of the flesh, and seeing You, the Creator, face to face, visible to You, / and begging to be delivered from all cruelty in the songs of those who constantly praise.

And now, the Mother of God: Rejoice, fiery throne of the Lord;/ Rejoice, Divine and manna-receiving hand;/ Rejoice, golden lamp;/ Rejoice, unquenchable light;/ Rejoice, glory to the virgins and adornment and praise to mothers, the Mother of God.

On the praises of the stichera, tone 8:

The pleasure of earthly food, / despising the wealth and glory of this world, / you loved the Heavenly Bridegroom, / the all-honorable Euphrosyne; / you accomplished your good feat on earth in a different rite, / you ascended with the wise virgins to the Bridegroom Christ, / who now stands before Him in joy ,/ pray unceasingly for our souls.

Christ, who was incarnate from the Pure Virgin, / you followed, Euphrosyne, / in virginity you served Him from your youth / and you showed the way to salvation to many. / My beloved sisters, - you said, / - the path is narrow and sorrowful, lead to the belly ,/ but the reward is everlasting;/ in the same way strive unslothfully,/ for the sake of the helper, the Hero of Christ Himself,/ who gives imperishable life.

Chosen by God, Euphrosyne, / like a bright star, / who has shone from her generation, / enlightening this country, / for all who diligently flock to you, / and ask your prayers to the Lord, / and kiss your honest image with love, / be a prayer book and deliver us from all sorrow, / from all illness, mental and physical, / who through faith and love commit / the memory of your honorable repose.

Today we celebrate the triumph of the Venerable Euphrosyne,/ come, faithful ones, let us sing of her deeds and labors,/ let us praise with seraphim love the Sweetest Jesus, who loved/ and diligently served Him,/ and with faith and love we call upon her:/ Rejoice, all-honorable Euphrosyne,/ beauty and praise monastic rank, / the chosen bride of Christ, / with the Angels and all the saints / established in the unevening days of the Kingdom of God; / pray that your city, / our land and all Orthodox people will be saved.

Glory, the same voice: In the holy city of Jerusalem, you worshiped the Holy Sepulcher, desiring / and having reached earthly Jerusalem, / in joy, Euphrosyne, the holy place of the Sepulcher, you gave reverent veneration, / asking the Lord for grace, / that your spirit may receive in the holy place; / and hearing Lord, your prayer, / and the angel who sent you, / who will tell you about your departure, / from earthly Jerusalem to the Heavenly Jerusalem above, / where you joyfully rejoice with virgin faces, / remember us, who celebrate your holy memory with love.

And now, Mother of God: Lady, accept the prayers of Thy servant/ and deliver us/ from all need and sorrow.

Great doxology and dismissal.

At the Liturgy, the entire service is for the reverend wife.

The service for the repose of our venerable mother Euphrosyne is printed according to the Menaion 2002 - M.: Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, 2002

[1] Veno – marriage price.

[2] Negli – maybe.

Orthodox Life

The Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk, who bore the name Predslav before her tonsure, was the great-great-granddaughter of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir and the daughter of Prince George (Svyatoslav) Vseslavich of Polotsk.

Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk

From childhood she was distinguished by her love of prayer and book learning. Rejecting marriage proposals, Predslava took monastic vows with the name Euphrosyne. With the blessing of Polotsk Bishop Elijah, she began to live at the St. Sophia Cathedral, where she was engaged in copying books. Around 1128, Bishop Elijah instructed the saint to build a nunnery. Going to Seltso, the site of the future monastery, the ascetic took only holy books - “all her property.” In the newly built Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, the saint taught girls how to copy books, sing, sew and other crafts. In 1161, through her diligence, a cathedral was built, which has survived to this day. The Monk Euphrosyne also founded the Mother of God Monastery, to which, at her request, Patriarch Luke of Constantinople sent a copy of the miraculous Ephesian Icon of the Mother of God. Shortly before her death, the Monk Euphrosyne, with her nephew David and sister Eupraxia, went on a pilgrimage to holy places. Having venerated the shrines of Constantinople, she arrived in Jerusalem, where in the Russian monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos the Lord vouchsafed her to accept a peaceful death on May 24, 1173. No later than 1187, the saint’s body was transferred to the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, and in 1910 the relics were transferred to Polotsk to the monastery she founded.

The Monk Euphrosyne of Polotsk became famous as the patroness of female monasticism.

Prayers

Troparion of Venerable Euphrosyne, Abbess of Polotsk, tone 4

Kontakion of Venerable Euphrosyne, Abbess of Polotsk, tone 8

Prayer of St. Euphrosyne, Abbess of Polotsk

Oh, reverend and ever-memorable, all-praiseworthy mother Euphrosyne, to the angel in the flesh, God's chosen vessel of the Holy Spirit, praise and adornment to the Church of Christ, glory and affirmation to the monastics, to the fatherland, obedience help, protection and protector to your body and the whole country! You are like a tree planted by the rising waters, adorned with the fruits of your virtues and grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit, a teacher in deed and word, chosen, blameless and good. Hear us who pray to you and call on your name, for you have confidence in the Lord. Ask us for success in a more virtuous life, protect our hearts with faith, hope and love and the fear of God. Give us help in our labors and sorrows and, just as you had care in your life for your monastery and those monastic, so even now, while you care for us, make us prosper in everything: and protect your monastery peace and protection from enemies visible and invisible, may he prosper and flourishes in virtues. We were delivered from all need and distress, from severe illnesses and from unexpected death, and were brought to true repentance at our departure from sowing life; ask the Lord God for a peaceful, painless, shameless death, for us to participate in the Holy Mysteries and receive through the ordeal of the air, so that the tormentors of our sins will not kidnap us, but yours With our intercession and help we will be able to safely overcome airborne torture, and receive mercy and present ourselves uncondemned by the terrible Throne, and at the Last Judgment to be considered worthy to sit at the right hand of the Righteous Judge, and to inherit a portion of the righteous. Hey, lady, most honorable mother, Venerable Euphrosyne, help us with your prayers, protect us and intercede from all the machinations of the enemy, so that we may be able to pass the time of life and sow salvation without stumbling. receive through your prayers from Christ the Lord, Who also we will be worthy of singing and praising with the Beginning Father and with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Akathist to the Holy Blessed Princess Evdokia, monastically Euphrosyne

Brief life of the Venerable Euphrosyne (in the world Evdokia) of Moscow

Holy Grand Duchess Evdokia was born in 1353.
She was the daughter of the Suzdal prince Dimitri Konstantinovich († 1383) and his wife Princess Anna. Raised in the spirit of Christian piety from infancy, Evdokia was distinguished by a quiet, meek disposition. But, living in Suzdal and Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, in a turbulent environment of constant internecine strife that the appanage princes waged with her father, from an early age Princess Evdokia became accustomed to placing all her trust in God. In 1367, she became the wife of the blessed Grand Duke of Moscow Dimitri Donskoy († 1389). Their happy union was the key to union and peace between the Moscow and Suzdal principalities. Princess Evdokia’s love for her husband and children was sanctified by her love for God. The princess and her husband combined works of Christian charity with feats of fasting and prayer. In their lives, they relied on the help of the saints, for whose works the Russian land was so glorious in those days. The time of life of the holy blessed Grand Duchess Evdokia († 1407) coincides with the era of the great abbot of the Russian land, Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, the seer of the Holy Trinity. The pious couple can rightfully be considered disciples of St. Sergius. Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow, was close to the princely family; the confessor of Evdokia and Demetrius was the disciple of St. Sergius, abbot of the Simonov Monastery, St. Theodore (later Archbishop of Rostov). The Monk Sergius was the godfather of their two children (in total the princely couple had 8 sons and 4 daughters).

The princess's soul burned with great love for God, the Holy Church and the Motherland. The feat of Grand Duke Dimitri in liberating Rus' from the Mongol-Tatar yoke was shared by Princess Evdokia. The campaign of the noble Prince of Moscow Dimitri against Mamai, which ended victoriously on September 8, 1380 on the Kulikovo Field, was supported on her part by fervent prayers and deeds of love. In memory of the victory, the princess built a temple inside the Moscow Kremlin in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the world-historical victory of the Russians on the Kulikovo Field took place on this holiday. The temple was painted by the outstanding icon painters Theophanes the Greek and Simeon the Black. The creation of temples and the founding of monasteries through the labors of the holy princess Evdokia contributed to the flourishing of Russian temple building in the 14th century, which began with the construction of a temple in honor of the Most Holy Trinity by St. Sergius.

Gradually, the life of the holy princess Evdokia became a feat of self-denial and surrender of oneself entirely to the will of God. In 1383, the Grand Duke of Moscow was supposed to appear before the Tatar Khan Tokhtamysh. But because of Tokhtamysh’s extreme anger towards Prince Dimitri, they decided to send his eldest son Vasily, who was about 13 years old at that time, to the Horde. Saint Eudokia released her son and thereby doomed herself to two years of suffering: Prince Vasily was detained in the Horde as a hostage. In 1389, the noble Prince Demetrius, not yet forty years old, fell dangerously ill and passed away to the Lord (May 19/June 1).

The widowed princess saw her duty to God primarily in completing the upbringing of her children. At the same time, she began the construction of the Ascension Convent in the Moscow Kremlin, giving the princely palaces for it. Apparently, she initially thought of this monastery as the place of her future monasticism. At the same time, she built several churches and monasteries in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. However, Princess Evdokia did not only think about the construction of churches: her main secret goal after the death of her husband was the establishment of internal monasticism, the creation of a temple in her own heart. Princess Evdokia began to lead a secret ascetic life. Judging by the magnificent clothes in which the holy princess appeared before people, it was impossible to guess that she exhausted herself with fasting, vigil, and heavy chains. She also had to endure human slander.

After the blessed death of her husband, the holy princess abstained from direct participation in state affairs, but nevertheless, it was with her advice that the transfer of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos from Vladimir to Moscow, caused by the invasion of Moscow by Khan Tamerlane, was connected. The Most Holy Theotokos responded to the popular prayer. On the day of the presentation of the icon in Moscow (August 26, 1395), Tamerlane had a menacing vision in a dream of the Light-Bearing Woman; the frightened conqueror retreated from Moscow. In 1407, after a vision of Archangel Michael, who foreshadowed her imminent death, Princess Evdokia, “detached from all earthly things by the appearance of an angel” (see akathist), decided to leave the Grand Duke’s mansion and accept monasticism, which she had been pursuing all her life. On her instructions, an image of the Archangel was painted and placed in the Kremlin church in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the transition to the Ascension Monastery, Princess Evdokia healed a blind man, who regained his sight by wiping his eyes with the edge of her robe, and 30 people were also healed from various ailments during this procession. At the monastery, the princess took monastic vows with the name Euphrosyne. In addition to the humble performance of monastic deeds, secret to people, but known to God, the holy princess founded a new named Church of the Ascension in the monastery. Saint Euphrosyne lived in monasticism for several months: on July 7, 1407, she peacefully reposed in the Lord. Her body was buried in the Ascension Monastery that she founded.

The holiness of St. Euphrosyne is certified by the miraculous signs of God's mercy that took place at her tomb for several centuries. Many times they saw that at the tomb of Saint Euphrosyne the candle itself was lit. And in the 19th century, several miraculous healings took place here. Thus, in 1869, after venerating the tomb with the relics of the saint, the possessed youth was healed. In 1870, the Monk Euphrosyne appeared in a dream to a paralyzed girl and restored her to health. A terminally ill man was brought back to life by placing on him a shroud from the tomb of St. Euphrosyne. Her spiritual feat testifies that neither wealth, nor high social position, nor family ties can be an insurmountable obstacle to the acquisition of God's grace and holiness.

The memory of St. Euphrosyne is celebrated on May 17/30 and July 7/20.

Complete life of St. Euphrosyne (in the world Evdokia) of Moscow

The name of St. Euphrosyne in the world is Evdokia (“Benevolence”). She was the daughter of Suzdal Prince Dimitri Konstantinovich and his wife Anna. With the blessing of St. Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow, on January 18, 1366, the marriage of Evdokia with the Grand Duke of Moscow Dimitri Ivanovich took place. The wedding was solemnly celebrated according to the customs of those years in Kolomna. This marriage was of great importance for the fate of the Moscow state, cementing the union of the Moscow and Suzdal principalities. The marriage of the young prince and princess “filled the hearts of the Russians with joy,” as the chronicler says.

This marriage took place at a difficult time. The forty-year period of relative calm in Rus' was ending: the time of almost continuous wars with numerous enemies - external and internal - was coming. In addition to the constant confrontation with external enemies - the Horde and Lithuania, the bloody rivalry of the Russian principalities continued.

In addition, almost in the very year of Prince Dimitri’s marriage to Evdokia, a “pestilence” was raging in Moscow, people were dying in the thousands, and the crying and lamentations of orphaned people could be heard along the Moscow streets. This misfortune was joined by another one - a terrible fire in Moscow. A sea of fire engulfed the streets of the city, mercilessly devouring wooden buildings. Houses, property, livestock burned, people died.

The groans and cries of the people reached the prince's palace, leaving their mark in the heart of the young princess - and it was then that Evdokia revealed herself as the mother and patroness of the destitute fire victims, widows and orphans.

Moscow had barely recovered from the ashes when in 1368 the Lithuanian prince Olgerd besieged the Kremlin, in which the Grand Duke and Princess, Metropolitan Alexy and the boyars secluded themselves. And again Moscow was burning, again the groans and cries of Moscow residents being beaten by the Lithuanians were heard. The entire Moscow land was devastated.

The young princess constantly prayed for her native land and tried with all her might to alleviate the situation of the suffering. Less than five years of marriage had passed when Prince Dimitri had to go to the Horde in connection with a dispute about the great reign with Prince Mikhail Alexandrovich of Tver (1399). The High Hierarch of the Russian Church, Metropolitan Alexy, not only blessed the prince for this trip - the eighty-year-old elder himself accompanied him to Kolomna. In the absence of her husband, Evdokia and all the people prayed for the safe return of the prince. Through the prayers of Saint Alexy and Saint Sergius, Prince Dimitri Ivanovich returned from the Horde to Moscow with a label for the great reign.

The entire life of the grand ducal couple passed under the spiritual guidance and blessing of the great saints of the Russian land - St. Alexy and St. Sergius, as well as the saint's disciple - St. Theodore, abbot of the Moscow Simonov Monastery (later Archbishop of Rostov), who was Evdokia's confessor. The Monk Sergius baptized Demetrius himself and his two children, including his first-born Vasily (the grand ducal couple had 5 sons and 3 daughters). It was truly a blessed Christian marriage. The author of “The Lay of the Life...” of Prince Dimitri finds amazing and precise words to describe the life together of the grand ducal couple: “The wise man also said that the loving soul is in the body of the beloved. And I am not ashamed to say that two such people carry one soul in two bodies and both have one virtuous life; they look at future glory, raising their eyes to heaven. Likewise, Demetrius had a wife, and they lived in chastity. Just as iron is heated in fire and tempered with water so that it is sharp, so they were inflamed by the fire of the Divine Spirit and purified with tears of repentance.”

And then the year 1380 came - a new separation from her husband, again sorrow and prayers for the salvation of the Fatherland. I was consoled by the hope of victory predicted by St. Sergius. The princess rightfully shared with the Grand Duke the feat of the struggle for the liberation of Rus' from the Mongol-Tatar yoke - with fervent prayers and deeds of love. In memory of the victory on the Kulikovo Field, Evdokia built a temple inside the Moscow Kremlin in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The temple was painted by the great icon painters of Ancient Rus', Theophanes the Greek and Simeon the Black.

The invasion of the Tatar Khan Tokhtamysh in 1382 became a new terrible test for Moscow and the entire Russian land. Dimitri Ivanovich left to gather an army, first to Pereslavl, and then to Kostroma, leaving the Grand Duchess in Moscow. Because of the danger of taking Moscow, the Grand Duchess and her children and Metropolitan Cyprian barely managed to leave the city walls, after which Evdokia followed the prince. On the way, she almost got captured. After three days of siege, Tokhtamysh’s troops took Moscow and burned the city, after which they turned most of the Russian lands into ashes. According to legend, Dimitri Ivanovich cried in the ruins of Moscow and buried the dead with his own money.

In 1383, Dimitri Ivanovich had to appear before Tokhtamysh to defend the khan’s rights to the great reign. Because of Tokhtamysh’s extreme anger, they decided to send the Grand Duke’s eldest son, Vasily, who was about 13 years old, to the Horde. Evdokia released her son and thereby doomed herself to two years of suffering - her son was detained in the Horde as a hostage. Tokhtamysh, in addition to tribute, demanded a ransom for Vasily - 8 thousand rubles. The amount at that time was huge, and the devastated Moscow principality could not pay the entire amount. Therefore, Vasily had to live in captivity of the khan for two long years, after which he managed to escape. On May 19, 1389, Grand Duke Dimitri Ivanovich died at the fortieth year of his life. According to contemporaries, this day was a day of sadness and tears for many Russian people. The chronicler recorded “The Grand Duchess’s Lament for her Dead Husband” - one of the most inspired poetic creations of Ancient Rus'. The Grand Duke was buried in the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

Dimitri Ivanovich handed over the throne to his son Vasily, bequeathing that his mother be his co-ruler. The Grand Duchess refrained from direct participation in state affairs. Even during her husband’s life, she lived a truly Christian life, and after his death she led a strictly monastic ascetic life, put on a hair shirt, and wore heavy chains under her luxurious grand-ducal clothes. Even in front of her loved ones she did not want to reveal her exploits; organized dinner parties in the Grand Duke's palace, but did not touch the dishes herself, eating Lenten food.

Human anger and slander did not bypass her. Ridiculous rumors began to circulate around Moscow, affecting the honor of the widow - the princess. These rumors reached the sons. The princes, although they loved their mother and did not believe the slander, still could not help but be embarrassed. One of them, Yuri, turned to his mother with a question about the slander defaming her. Then the princess gathered all her sons and took off part of the grand ducal clothes - the children saw that the ascetic had become so thin from fasting and labors that her body was withered and blackened and “the flesh stuck to the bones.” Yuri and his other brothers asked their mother for forgiveness and wanted to take revenge for the slander. But their mother forbade them to even think about revenge. She said that she would gladly endure humiliation and human slander for the sake of Christ, but seeing the embarrassment of the children, she decided to reveal her secret to them.

Every day Evdokia could be found either in one of the churches or in the monastery. Remembering her late husband, she constantly made contributions to monasteries and donated money and clothing to the poor. The sons of the Grand Duchess grew up, she began to think about a monastery in which she could devote herself entirely to God. In the heart of Moscow - in the Kremlin - she is building a new convent (at that time there were two convents in Moscow - Alekseevsky and Rozhdestvensky) in honor of the Ascension. We chose a place near the Florovsky Gate. From here she saw off, here she met her husband, returning from the Kulikovo field. Near the gate there was a grand-ducal tower, burned during the invasion of Tokhtamysh. On this site of the former princely home, the Grand Duchess erected monastic cells. At the same time, she built several churches and monasteries in Pereyaslavl-Zalessky.

One of the most significant events in the spiritual history of Russia is associated with the name of Grand Duchess Evdokia. It took place during the invasion of Tamerlane in 1395. The news that the hordes of the formidable commander had approached the borders of Rus' horrified the entire people. Grand Duke Vasily, thanks to the influence of his mother, showed fortitude, gathered an army and went out to meet the enemy. But what could this small squad do in front of the hordes of an invincible conqueror, who claimed that the entire universe was unworthy of having two rulers?

The people, strengthened by faith in God's intercession, prayed to God together with their princess. Evdokia made deep prayers for the deliverance of Rus' from destruction. The prayer of the righteous woman was heard by God. On the advice of his mother, Vasily Dimitrievich ordered to bring the miraculous Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God from Vladimir to Moscow. On August 26, 1395, Grand Duchess Evdokia with her sons, the metropolitan, the clergy, the boyars, and many assembled residents of Moscow met the icon of the Mother of God on Kuchkovo Field.

On that very day and hour, Tamerlane, in a sleepy vision, saw the Radiant Woman, surrounded by radiance and many lightning-fast warriors, menacingly rushing forward. On the advice of his mentors, Tamerlane ordered the troops to turn away from the borders of Rus'.

In 1407, after a vision of the Archangel Michael, who foreshadowed her imminent death, Princess Evdokia decided to accept monasticism, which she had strived for all her life. At her request, an image of the Archangel Michael was painted and placed in the Kremlin church in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The legend says that the Grand Duchess’s entry into the monastic path was marked by God’s blessing and a miracle. The Grand Duchess appeared to one blind beggar in a dream on the eve of her tonsure and promised to heal him of his blindness. And so, when Evdokia went to the monastery for a “monastic feat,” the blind beggar turned to her with a prayer: “God-loving lady, Grand Duchess, nourisher of the poor! You always satisfied us with food and clothing and never refused us our requests! Do not despise my request, heal me from many years of blindness, as you yourself promised when you appeared to me that night. You told me: tomorrow I will give you insight; now the time has come for you to promise.”

The Grand Duchess, as if not noticing the blind man and not hearing his plea, walked further and, as if by chance, lowered the sleeve of his shirt onto the blind man. He wiped his eyes with this sleeve with reverence and faith. A miracle happened in front of everyone: the blind man received his sight! The people glorified the saint of God together with the one who had received his sight. According to legend, on the day of the Grand Duchess's tonsure, 30 people were healed of various diseases. The tonsure took place on May 17, 1407 in the wooden Church of the Ascension. The Grand Duchess was tonsured and received the name Euphrosyne (“joy”).

And three days later, on May 20, the foundation stone of a new stone church in honor of the Ascension of Christ took place. The Grand Duchess also determined her resting place in this temple. But she did not get to see the completion of construction. On July 7, 1407, she died at the age of 54. They buried Saint Euphrosyne in the presence of a large crowd of people in the place she indicated for the church under construction, where she rested until 1929, performing numerous healings and bestowing grace-filled help on everyone who came with faith to her multi-healing relics.

And after her death, as the legend tells, the Monk Euphrosyne was “worthy of glorification.” It was noted more than once how candles lit themselves at her coffin.

After the death of the saint, the construction of the temple was continued by Grand Duchess Sofya Vitovtovna, the wife of Grand Duke Vasily Dimitrievich. A big fire did not allow the construction of the temple to be completed, so it stood unfinished for almost 50 years and, finally, the wife of Grand Duke Vasily the Dark - Maria Yaroslavna - vowed to complete the construction. In 1467 the temple was solemnly consecrated.

The Ascension Church became the tomb of the great princesses and queens of the Russian state. Tombstones were erected over their burial sites. Sophia Paleologus (1503) - the second wife of John III, Elena Glinskaya (1533) - the mother of John IV the Terrible, Irina Godunova (1603) - the wife of Tsar Theodore Ioannovich, Natalia Kirillovna (1694) - were buried here. mother of Peter I and others. The last to be buried here was Princess and Grand Duchess Natalia Alekseevna (1728), granddaughter of Peter I, daughter of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich. By the beginning of the 20th century, there were 35 tombs in the temple.

The relics of the founder of the monastery rested hidden behind the right pillar of the cathedral, near the southern wall. In 1822, a silver-plated shrine with a canopy was built over the relics.

On July 7, 1907, the 500th anniversary of the death of St. Euphrosyne was celebrated in the Kremlin. This holiday revived in the memory of believers the image of a prayer book for the Russian land.

The day before, after the liturgy, a religious procession with the presentation of the icon of the Ascension went from the Ascension Monastery to the Archangel Cathedral to lay the icon on the coffin of Demetrius Donskoy. In the evening there was an all-night vigil at the monastery, during which all the worshipers stood with lighted candles. In the morning, the Divine Liturgy was served by Moscow Metropolitan Vladimir (Epiphany). At the end of the ceremony, those present were given jubilee medals, icons, and leaflets with a biography of the saint. Many Moscow churches celebrated their 500th anniversary with solemn services.

In 1922, the shrine and the canopy over the relics were removed in order to extract precious metals from it. The relics of St. Euphrosyne remained in a stone tomb under the floor of the cathedral.

In 1929, by decision of the government, the destruction of the buildings of the Ascension Monastery began. Museum staff tried to save the necropolis. The basement of the Judgment Chamber of the Archangel Cathedral was chosen for its placement. The white stone tomb of St. Euphrosyne was damaged, and they could not remove it entirely from the ground. The relics of the saint were saved from destruction, but it is hardly possible to highlight them today, because... they are found along with other remains from burials in two white stone tombs from the 15th century.

When opening the burials, among the remains of the Monk Euphrosyne, in addition to small pieces of fabric from the shroud, they found scraps of her leather monastic belt with embossed images of the twelve feasts and captions to them. These shrines, together with the vessels for oil that were in the coffins, are kept in the collections of the Kremlin museums. The fragments of the saint's stone tomb remain to this day in the same basement.

Thus, the Archangel Cathedral of the Kremlin became the common family tomb of the grand ducal and royal families of the Russian state.

The Venerable Euphrosyne, Grand Duchess of Moscow, combined the feat of civil service to her people and native land with the monastic feat, restoring the royal dignity of man. It is not for nothing that she is depicted in ancient Russian manuscripts with the royal crown. She becomes the fifth of the holy wives of Rus' with the name Euphrosyne - “Joy”. For her life was a great joy for the entire Russian land.