Saint Januarius lived during the persecution under the emperor Diocletian. Then he very often visited the deacons thrown into prison. He celebrated the liturgy with them. Once during such a service he was arrested.
Then the bishop and many other priests were thrown into the oven, but remained completely unharmed. Also, many of them were given to be eaten by animals in the circus, but the animals did not touch them. After which they were all beheaded in 305. When Januarius died, he was only 30 years old.
Saint Januarius is a martyr who is revered by the Catholic and Orthodox churches. This is also the patron saint of Naples. What is he known for and what did he become famous for?
Saint Januarius - patron saint of Naples
This saint is known for regularly performing miracles. But we'll talk about it later. First, we will look at who this saint was.
Januarius was first mentioned in one of the letters of Uranius to Pacat in 431
Januarius was first mentioned in one of the letters of Uranius to Pacat in 431. The author of this text tells us that Saint Januarius became famous both as a bishop and as a martyr. He glorified the church in the city of Naples.
Also, a fairly early source that tells about the life and martyrdom of Saint Januarius is the acts of martyrdom. Their more expanded versions were written in the 8th-9th centuries, and they are called the Vatican Acts. It is from these data that one can judge that Saint Januarius came from a more aristocratic family. Already at a fairly young age he became a Christian, and then became still a young man - the first bishop of Benevento.
This saint lived during the persecution under Emperor Diocletian. Then he very often visited the deacons thrown into prison. He celebrated the liturgy with them. Once during such a service he was arrested.
Then the bishop and many other priests were thrown into the oven, but remained completely unharmed. Also, many of them were given to be eaten by animals in the circus, but the animals did not touch them. After which they were all beheaded in 305.
Januarius died along with other deacons when he just turned 30 years old
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- Procession of the cross from the Cathedral of Santa Chiara and the miracles of the blood of St. Januarius on youtube.com
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His memorial day is September 19
He is mentioned twice: on September 19, his memorial day. There is also written evidence of the veneration of Januarius and his associates. In England and Germany these evidences date back to the 8th and 9th centuries. His veneration began from the time of other martyrs.
In the 9th century, they told the story of the discovery of the relics of the saint. They were found and acquired in the 5th century. In the Neapolitan church, 2 days of memory of this martyr are indicated: April 13 is the day of the transfer of his relics, and September 19. Also, his veneration is evidenced by the courageous images in the catacombs.
The earliest images of Januarius in the catacombs were dated to the 6th century.
It is also interesting that other saints are depicted in the catacombs with explanatory inscriptions, but Saint Januarius was without any explanation. Why did this happen? Because Saint Januarius by that time was already very recognizable, and he did not need any comments.
The first images in the catacombs, where Saint Januarius was depicted, date back to the 6th century
The relics of Januarius were originally buried in Pozzuoli
Now it’s worth talking about his relics. The relics were originally buried in Pozzuoli. However, this took place in secret. And then the first Neapolitan bishop, who occupied the see in 414, discovered the relics and transferred them to the catacombs of San Gennaro. It is these catacombs that from that time bear the name of Saint Januarius.
The fact that his relics were in the catacombs is evidenced by numerous mosaics and frescoes depicting the saint. In the 6th century, a large basilica was built at the entrance to the upper level of the catacomb. And also the altar that was located above the tomb of this martyr. In 1973, an archaeologist discovered the location of the relics in the catacombs, which were surrounded by numerous tombs of other bishops.
In 831, a prince attacked Naples and took the relics of Januarius in Benevento.
In 1054, the Syrian king defeated Benevento and ordered the relics to be brought to the Monastery of Mont Virginie. Then almost everyone forgot about the relics.
But in 1197, Cardinal Archbishop Alexander of Naples transferred them to Naples. At this time, only one head of Januarius remained in Naples.
In 1305, a special gilded silver bust was made, which was made at the expense of King Charles the second lame.
In 1305, a special gilded silver bust was made, which was made at the expense of King Charles the second lame
Therefore, after 1497, all relics associated with Saint Januarius are in Naples. In 1964 they decided to conduct a study of the relics. They said that the man's relics looked like well-preserved bones of a man 35-40 years old, he was almost 2 meters tall. That is why the day of St. Januarius is counted on two dates: September 19 and April 13, the day of the transfer of his relics to Naples.
Currently, the relics of Januarius are kept in the cathedral in Naples
Where are the relics of the saint now kept? The Cathedral in Naples contains the relics of Saint Januarius. They are kept in the altar. You can reach them by two stairs, which are located from the main altar of the cathedral.
His head is in a gilded silver bust. It is in the treasury of Saint Januarius. The treasury of Saint Januarius is located in the chapel, which is built next to the cathedral.
The bust is also crowned with a miter, and was decorated with 3328 diamonds, 198 emeralds and 168 rubies. In 1769, a jeweler made a necklace for this bust, which consisted of 13 gold chains. It was decorated with precious stones.
The bust of Januarius is decorated with diamonds and precious stones. A necklace was also made with 4 crosses suspended from it. They were all donated
There were 4 crosses suspended on this necklace. One of them is a diamond cross made of 13 rubies. It was given by Charles the seventh in 1734. The cross of 64 precious stones was presented by Mary of Saxony, wife of Charles the Seventh in 1739.
Also, one of the crosses was presented by Mary of Austria, who brought it in 1775. All these jewels, which were presented to Saint Januarius, are in the cathedral museum. His bust can be seen at any time.
Miracle of the Blood of Saint Iannuarius
Miracle of the Blood of St. Iannuaria defies modern science and the basic laws of physics. Scientists are faced with a great mystery that they are unable to explain. The frozen blood of a person living in the 4th century suddenly turns into a state of fluidity. Before everyone's eyes, it changes color, mass, volume. This amazing phenomenon occurs at different times, regardless of the temperature (it ranges in the cathedral from 5–6 to 30–32 degrees); sometimes it is found already liquid when the reliquary where it is kept is opened. But there were cases when the blood remained in a frozen state even on days of intense prayer - this was the case, for example, in 1976, during all 8 days of displaying the relic.
Scientists are surprised by the phenomenon of changes in the volume of blood, which, dissolving, either fills the entire vessel, or decreases to a very small size. Color changes: from bright red to ocher. Even the blood mass changes. The time of transition of blood from normal to fluid state is also completely contrary to the laws of physics. Sometimes it happens instantly, and sometimes it lasts a few minutes or a whole day. The same thing happens with freezing.
Physicists and hematologists agree that the preservation of blood for seventeen centuries in a morphologically unchanged state and its unexpected changes in volume and mass, the transition to a liquid state and the return to its original state cannot be explained scientifically. Modern science is unable to provide any convincing explanation for this mysterious phenomenon, and all attempts to recreate the phenomenon in the laboratory have failed.
Spectrographic analysis confirmed that, without a doubt, we are dealing with real arterial human blood without the addition of any foreign chemicals.
The hypothesis about adding some substance to the blood during the Middle Ages completely disappeared, because archaeological studies showed that sealed vessels come from the 4th century, and they can only be opened by breaking them.
The Italian scientist, Professor Gastone Lambertini, after many years of research, came to the following conclusion: “The law of conservation of energy, the principles governing the gelation and dissolution of colloids, the theory of aging of organic colloids, biological experiments with the solidification of plasma: all this confirms how a substance revered for centuries defies every law nature and any explanation that does not appeal to the supernatural. Blood of St. Iannuaria is a living and pulsating clot; she is not the fruit of some “delusional” piety, but a sign of eternal life and resurrection.”
Inexplicably, the blood of St. Iannuaria does not obey the usual laws of nature, for then it would have long since dried up and turned to dust. This is direct evidence of eternal life, a call to faith in Christ and the general resurrection of all people who have ever lived on earth.
St. Iannuarius accepted martyrdom, for Christ was the highest value for him. Historians claim that he committed his martyrdom in Pozzuoli in 305. St. Iannuarius was the bishop of Benevento. Born around 275. During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian (234–313), Deacon Sessions was arrested. Bishop Iannuarius protested against his unjust imprisonment. In response, the governor Dracontius arrested the bishop and sentenced him to death. He was beheaded on September 19, 305. During the execution, one of the Christian women collected his blood into vessels, which is kept in the Naples Cathedral.
The relics are in a chapel built at the beginning of the 16th century as a token of gratitude to the saint for saving Naples from the plague of 1526. In an armored cabinet there is a reliquary, inside of which there are two vessels from the 4th century. One of them is larger and filled with blood up to two-thirds. In the other, smaller one, there is little blood. Both vessels are sealed with very hard mastic, which is already 16 centuries old. All scientific research was possible only using the spectral analysis method.
Every year on September 18, on the eve of the martyrdom of St. Iannuaria, crowds of people gather in front of the cathedral in Naples. Early the next morning, the cardinal, at the head of the procession, goes to the chapel and takes a vessel with the saint’s blood, which most often melts at this moment. The cardinal carries the relics along the main nave, showing the people vessels with miraculous blood. At this time, over 10 thousand believers joyfully applaud. The blood will remain in a liquid state for another 8 days. Most often, bubbles appear on its surface, and the blood mysteriously “boils.” Eight days of the miracle of the blood of St. Iannuaria are days of prayer vigil.
Miracle of the Blood of St. Iannuaria is a sign that awakens living faith in the real presence of the Risen Lord.
The memory of the Hieromartyr Iannuarius Bishop in the Orthodox Church is celebrated on May 4 (April 21, old style).
“The Unknown World of Faith” 14th edition, Moscow 2012
You can applaud the author (at least 10 times)10
The blood of Saint Januarius is one of the great relics of Naples, he is considered the patron saint of the city
Also considered one of the great relics are 2 glass ampoules containing the blood of Saint Januarius. The first mention of this relic dates back to August 17, 1389. It was then that the story of how the miracle happened was preserved, and it is connected with the blood of Saint Januarius.
Since 1667, it was decided to store the ampoules behind the altar in the treasury. They are in a niche that is closed by two massive silver doors.
2 ampoules believed to contain the blood of Saint Januarius himself
Then, between 1608 and 1646, a new chapel was built, which was named the Treasury of St. Januarius. Also in the treasury are statues of 51 saints, to whom other temples in Naples are dedicated.
Notes[ | ]
- Interfax-Religion: Catholics saw a sad sign in the absence of the miracle of St. Januarius in Naples (unspecified)
. www.interfax-religion.ru. Date accessed: December 20, 2021. - San Gennaro Vescovo e martire // santiebeati.it
- [1] // KP
- "The Royal Chapel of S.Gennaro's Treasury" - a guide to the Treasury
- ↑ 12
[2] Archived copy from April 26, 2021 on the Wayback Machine // cicap.org - Better Blood Through Chemistry: A Laboratory Replication of a Miracle Archived July 17, 2009.
- Geraci, la rivelazione 11 anni fa al Corriere “Il sangue c'è e l'ho visto, il miracolo no” – Corriere del Mezzogiorno
- Il sangue di San Gennaro e la posizione della scienza // uccronline.it, 2010
All events of Neapolitan history were associated with the intercession of Saint Januarius
All events in Neapolitan history were associated with the intercession of this patron saint. Many victories were inherent and awarded to this saint. Also, one of the famous cases of Januarius’ patronage is considered to be the salvation of Naples from the eruption of Vesuvius, which occurred in 1631.
It was said that the lava flow was heading straight towards the city. The people asked that the relic of Saint Januarius be brought out to meet the lava. But the archbishop and other members of the treasury, who kept the keys to it, fled, and therefore it was not possible to remove the great shrine.
Then a procession with holy gifts headed towards this stream, but this procession did not help. The worshipers began to cry out to Januaria, and before their eyes, the hand of the stone statue that stood on the bridge rose and stopped the eruption with one gesture. It was this story that began to testify to everyone’s confidence in the limitless power of their patron, to whom they constantly pray. Also in honor of this, a holiday was established on December 16th.
Many victories were associated with the help of Saint Januarius - this is what the people living in Naples say
Excerpt characterizing Saint Januarius
“Yes,” Natasha whispered. -What are you crying about? “I’m happy for you,” said Princess Marya, having completely forgiven Natasha’s joy for these tears. – It won’t be soon, someday. Think about what happiness it will be when I become his wife and you marry Nicolas. – Natasha, I asked you not to talk about this. We'll talk about you. They were silent. - But why go to St. Petersburg! - Natasha suddenly said, and she quickly answered herself: - No, no, this is how it should be... Yes, Marie? This is how it should be... Seven years have passed since the 12th year. The troubled historical sea of Europe has settled into its shores. It seemed quiet; but the mysterious forces that move humanity (mysterious because the laws determining their movement are unknown to us) continued to operate. Despite the fact that the surface of the historical sea seemed motionless, humanity moved as continuously as the movement of time. Various groups of human connections formed and disintegrated; the reasons for the formation and disintegration of states and the movements of peoples were prepared. The historical sea, not as before, was directed by gusts from one shore to another: it seethed in the depths. Historical figures, not as before, rushed in waves from one shore to another; now they seemed to be spinning in one place. Historical figures, who previously at the head of troops reflected the movement of the masses with orders of wars, campaigns, battles, now reflected the seething movement with political and diplomatic considerations, laws, treatises... Historians call this activity of historical figures reaction. Describing the activities of these historical figures, who, in their opinion, were the cause of what they call the reaction, historians strictly condemn them. All famous people of that time, from Alexander and Napoleon to m me Stael, Photius, Schelling, Fichte, Chateaubriand, etc., are subject to their strict judgment and are acquitted or condemned, depending on whether they contributed to progress or reaction. In Russia, according to their description, a reaction also took place during this period of time, and the main culprit of this reaction was Alexander I - the same Alexander I who, according to their descriptions, was the main culprit of the liberal initiatives of his reign and the salvation of Russia. In real Russian literature, from a high school student to a learned historian, there is not a person who would not throw his own pebble at Alexander I for his wrong actions during this period of his reign. “He should have done this and that. In this case he acted well, in this case he acted badly. He behaved well at the beginning of his reign and during the 12th year; but he acted badly by giving a constitution to Poland, making the Holy Alliance, giving power to Arakcheev, encouraging Golitsyn and mysticism, then encouraging Shishkov and Photius. He did something wrong by being involved in the front part of the army; he acted badly by distributing the Semyonovsky regiment, etc.” It would be necessary to fill ten pages in order to list all the reproaches that historians make to him on the basis of the knowledge of the good of humanity that they possess. What do these reproaches mean? The very actions for which historians approve of Alexander I, such as: the liberal initiatives of his reign, the fight against Napoleon, the firmness he showed in the 12th year, and the campaign of the 13th year, do not stem from the same sources - the conditions of blood , education, life, which made Alexander’s personality what it was - from which flow those actions for which historians blame him, such as: the Holy Alliance, the restoration of Poland, the reaction of the 20s? What is the essence of these reproaches? The fact that such a historical person as Alexander I, a person who stood at the highest possible level of human power, is, as it were, in the focus of the blinding light of all the historical rays concentrated on him; a person subject to those strongest influences in the world of intrigue, deception, flattery, self-delusion, which are inseparable from power; a face that felt, every minute of its life, responsibility for everything that happened in Europe, and a face that is not fictitious, but living, like every person, with its own personal habits, passions, aspirations for goodness, beauty, truth - that this face , fifty years ago, not only was he not virtuous (historians do not blame him for this), but he did not have those views for the good of humanity that a professor now has, who has been engaged in science from a young age, that is, reading books, lectures and copying these books and lectures in one notebook. But even if we assume that Alexander I fifty years ago was mistaken in his view of what is the good of peoples, we must involuntarily assume that the historian judging Alexander, in the same way, after some time will turn out to be unjust in his view of that , which is the good of humanity. This assumption is all the more natural and necessary because, following the development of history, we see that every year, with every new writer, the view of what is the good of humanity changes; so that what seemed good appears after ten years as evil; and vice versa. Moreover, at the same time we find in history completely opposite views on what was evil and what was good: some take credit for the constitution given to Poland and the Holy Alliance, others as a reproach to Alexander. It cannot be said about the activities of Alexander and Napoleon that they were useful or harmful, because we cannot say for what they are useful and for what they are harmful. If someone does not like this activity, then he does not like it only because it does not coincide with his limited understanding of what is good. Does it seem good to me to preserve my father’s house in Moscow in 12, or the glory of the Russian troops, or the prosperity of St. Petersburg and other universities, or the freedom of Poland, or the power of Russia, or the balance of Europe, or a certain kind of European enlightenment - progress, I must admit that the activity of every historical figure had, in addition to these goals, other, more general goals that were inaccessible to me. But let us assume that so-called science has the ability to reconcile all contradictions and has an unchanging measure of good and bad for historical persons and events. Let's assume that Alexander could have done everything differently. Let us assume that he could, according to the instructions of those who accuse him, those who profess knowledge of the ultimate goal of the movement of mankind, order according to the program of nationality, freedom, equality and progress (there seems to be no other) that his current accusers would have given him. Let us assume that this program was possible and drawn up and that Alexander would act according to it. What would then happen to the activities of all those people who opposed the then direction of the government - with activities that, according to historians, were good and useful? This activity would not exist; there would be no life; nothing would have happened. If we assume that human life can be controlled by reason, then the possibility of life will be destroyed. If we assume, as historians do, that great people lead humanity to achieve certain goals, which consist either in the greatness of Russia or France, or in the balance of Europe, or in spreading the ideas of revolution, or in general progress, or whatever it may be, it is impossible to explain the phenomena of history without the concepts of chance and genius. If the goal of the European wars at the beginning of this century was the greatness of Russia, then this goal could be achieved without all the previous wars and without an invasion. If the goal is the greatness of France, then this goal could be achieved without revolution and without empire. If the goal is the dissemination of ideas, then printing would accomplish this much better than soldiers. If the goal is the progress of civilization, then it is very easy to assume that, besides the extermination of people and their wealth, there are other more expedient ways for the spread of civilization. Why did it happen this way and not otherwise? Because that's how it happened. “Chance made the situation; genius took advantage of it,” says history. But what is a case? What is a genius? The words chance and genius do not mean anything that really exists and therefore cannot be defined. These words only denote a certain degree of understanding of phenomena. I don't know why this phenomenon happens; I don’t think I can know; That’s why I don’t want to know and say: chance. I see a force producing an action disproportionate to universal human properties; I don’t understand why this happens, and I say: genius. For a herd of rams, the ram that is driven every evening by the shepherd into a special stall to feed and becomes twice as thick as the others must seem like a genius. And the fact that every evening this very same ram ends up not in a common sheepfold, but in a special stall for oats, and that this very same ram, doused in fat, is killed for meat, should seem like an amazing combination of genius with a whole series of extraordinary accidents . But the rams just have to stop thinking that everything that is done to them happens only to achieve their ram goals; it is worth admitting that the events happening to them may also have goals that are incomprehensible to them, and they will immediately see unity, consistency in what happens to the fattened ram. Even if they do not know for what purpose he was fattened, then at least they will know that everything that happened to the ram did not happen by accident, and they will no longer need the concept of either chance or genius. Only by renouncing the knowledge of a close, understandable goal and recognizing that the final goal is inaccessible to us, will we see consistency and purposefulness in the lives of historical persons; the reason for the action they produce, disproportionate to universal human properties, will be revealed to us, and we will not need the words chance and genius. One has only to admit that the purpose of the unrest of the European peoples is unknown to us, and only the facts are known, consisting of murders, first in France, then in Italy, in Africa, in Prussia, in Austria, in Spain, in Russia, and that movements from the West to the east and from east to west constitute the essence and purpose of these events, and not only will we not need to see exclusivity and genius in the characters of Napoleon and Alexander, but it will be impossible to imagine these persons otherwise than as the same people as everyone else; and not only will it not be necessary to explain by chance those small events that made these people what they were, but it will be clear that all these small events were necessary. Having detached ourselves from knowledge of the ultimate goal, we will clearly understand that just as it is impossible for any plant to come up with other colors and seeds that are more appropriate to it than those that it produces, in the same way it is impossible to come up with two other people, with all their past, which would correspond to such an extent, to such the smallest details, to the purpose that they were to fulfill. The main, essential meaning of European events at the beginning of this century is the militant movement of the masses of European peoples from West to East and then from East to West. The first instigator of this movement was the movement from west to east. In order for the peoples of the West to be able to make the warlike movement to Moscow that they made, it was necessary: 1) for them to form into a warlike group of such a size that would be able to withstand a clash with the warlike group of the East; 2) so that they renounce all established traditions and habits and 3) so that, when making their militant movement, they have at their head a person who, both for himself and for them, could justify the deceptions, robberies and murders that were accompanied this movement. And since the French Revolution, the old group, not great enough, is destroyed; old habits and traditions are destroyed; a group of new sizes, new habits and traditions are developed, step by step, and the person who must stand at the head of the future movement and bear all the responsibility of what is to be accomplished is being prepared. A man without convictions, without habits, without traditions, without a name, not even a Frenchman, by the most strange accidents, it seems, moves among all the parties that concern France and, without attaching himself to any of them, is brought to a prominent place. The ignorance of his comrades, the weakness and insignificance of his opponents, the sincerity of the lie and the brilliant and self-confident narrow-mindedness of this man put him at the head of the army. The brilliant composition of the soldiers of the Italian army, the reluctance of his opponents to fight, his childish audacity and self-confidence gain him military glory. Countless so-called accidents accompany him everywhere. The disfavor into which he falls from the rulers of France serves to his advantage. His attempts to change the path destined for him fail: he is not accepted into the service in Russia, and he fails to be assigned to Turkey. During the wars in Italy, he is on the verge of death several times and is saved each time in an unexpected way. Russian troops, the very ones that could destroy his glory, for various diplomatic reasons, do not enter Europe as long as he is there. On his return from Italy, he finds the government in Paris in that process of decay in which the people who fall into this government are inevitably erased and destroyed. And for him there is a way out of this dangerous situation, consisting of a meaningless, causeless expedition to Africa. Again the same so-called accidents accompany him. Impregnable Malta surrenders without a shot; the most careless orders are crowned with success. The enemy fleet, which does not let a single boat through, lets through an entire army. In Africa, a whole series of atrocities are committed against almost unarmed inhabitants. And the people who commit these atrocities, and especially their leader, convince themselves that this is wonderful, that this is glory, that this is similar to Caesar and Alexander the Great, and that this is good. That ideal of glory and greatness, which consists in not only not considering anything bad for oneself, but being proud of every crime, attributing to it an incomprehensible supernatural significance - this ideal, which should guide this person and the people associated with him, is being developed in the open air in Africa. Whatever he does, he succeeds. The plague does not bother him. The cruelty of killing prisoners is not blamed on him. His childishly careless, causeless and ignoble departure from Africa, from his comrades in trouble, is given credit to him, and again the enemy fleet misses him twice. While he, already completely intoxicated by the happy crimes he had committed, ready for his role, comes to Paris without any purpose, the decay of the republican government, which could have destroyed him a year ago, has now reached its extreme, and the presence of him, fresh from a person's parties, now only can elevate him. He doesn't have any plan; he is afraid of everything; but the parties seize on him and demand his participation. He alone, with his ideal of glory and greatness developed in Italy and Egypt, with his madness of self-adoration, with his audacity of crimes, with his sincerity of lies - he alone can justify what is about to happen. He is needed for the place that awaits him, and therefore, almost independently of his will and despite his indecision, despite the lack of a plan, despite all the mistakes he makes, he is drawn into a conspiracy aimed at seizing power, and the conspiracy is crowned with success . He is pushed into the meeting of the rulers. Frightened, he wants to run away, considering himself dead; pretends to faint; says meaningless things that should destroy him. But the rulers of France, previously smart and proud, now, feeling that their role has been played, are even more embarrassed than he is, and say the wrong words that they should have said in order to retain power and destroy him.
The miracle of St. Januarius did not happen in 2021
They also talk about another strange event that happened in 2016. They note that the miracle of St. Januarius did not happen. Three times a year, the miracle of liquefying the dried liquid, which is considered his blood, occurs.
It was supposed to take place on the day of remembrance of the holy martyr at a Saturday ceremony in Naples.
Then people learned that the miracle had not happened, and believers began to catch themselves thinking about the coming disasters in 2021.
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Sources
- "The Royal Chapel of S.Gennaro's Treasury" - a guide to the Treasury
- Alexandre Dumas "Louise San Felice". Separate chapters describe the life and miracle of Saint Januarius, and also set out the history of the “betrayal” and “overthrow” of the saint.
- [www.newadvent.org/cathen/08295a.htm Article on Saint Januarius in the Catholic Encyclopedia] (English)
- Author
[www.pravenc.ru/text/200381.html Iannuariy] // Orthodox Encyclopedia. Volume XX. - M.: Church-scientific, 2009. - P. 583-590. — 752 p. — 39,000 copies. — ISBN 978-5-89572-036-3